Salem, OR town hall & government
Salem spent $497.9 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $2,805 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 If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.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
Where the money comes from
- Property taxes 25%
- Fees & charges 22%
- Interest, fines & other 13%
- From the state 13%
- Utility sales 9%
- From the federal government 7%
- Sales taxes 6%
- Other taxes & licenses 3%
- From other local governments 3%
Who works for Salem
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Salem-Keizer School District 24J
Salem's K–12 school district, shared with Keizer. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Oregon districts overall: 38% local, 52% state, 10% federal
- Local 26%
- State 57%
- Federal 17%
Of the $17,915 per pupil, $9,993 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.
Which schools Salem kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
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 Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Representative Andrea Salinas. Tina Kotek 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.