Salem, MA town hall & government
Salem spent $259 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $5,792 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Salem's government.
Who runs Salem
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Salem's money goes
Salem runs its own schools, so school spending is part of its budget. Comparisons are with other Massachusetts cities.
Where the money comes from
- Property taxes 49%
- From the state 22%
- Fees & charges 13%
- From the federal government 6%
- Interest, fines & other 5%
- Utility sales 2%
- Sales taxes 2%
- Other taxes & licenses <1%
- From other local governments <1%
Who works for Salem
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Salem School District
Salem's K–12 school district. The schools are run by Salem, so this money is part of the budget above.
Where the district's money comes from Massachusetts districts overall: 49% local, 43% state, 8% federal
- Local 37%
- State 51%
- Federal 12%
Of the $27,232 per pupil, $15,660 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
What homeowners in Salem pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Salem's government
Who represents Salem
Salem is represented in Congress by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Representative Seth Moulton. Maura Healey is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.