Salinas, CA

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Population

437,907

0.615% growth

Median Age

34.3


Median Household Income

$71,274

11.6% growth

Poverty Rate

14.7%


Number of Employees

191,091

0.93% growth

Median Property Value

$517,200

7.53% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Salinas, CA had a population of 438k people with a median age of 34.3 and a median household income of $71,274. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Salinas, CA grew from 435,232 to 437,907, a 0.615% increase and its median household income grew from $63,876 to $71,274, a 11.6% increase.

The population of Salinas, CA is 58.8% Hispanic or Latino, 29.8% White Alone, and 5.42% Asian Alone. N/A% of the people in Salinas, CA speak a non-English language, and 77.4% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Salinas, CA are Naval Postgraduate School (2,446 degrees awarded in 2016), California State University-Monterey Bay (1,685 degrees), and Hartnell College (1,642 degrees).

The median property value in Salinas, CA is $517,200, and the homeownership rate is 51.3%. Most people in Salinas, CA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 21.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Salinas, CA is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur

Photo by Greg Balzer

United StatesCalifornia

Economy

The economy of Salinas, CA employs 191k people. The largest industries in Salinas, CA are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (34,959 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (19,256 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (18,951 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($158,112), Utilities ($87,083), and Public Administration ($75,188).

Median household income in Salinas, CA is $71,274. Males in Salinas, CA have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $59,658. The income inequality in Salinas, CA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.497, which is higher than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$71,274

2017 value

± $2,706

11.6%

1 Year Growth

± 5.72%

Households in Salinas, CA have a median annual income of $71,274, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $63,876 in 2016, which represents a 11.6% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Salinas, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for California.

$75,050

Average Male Salary

± $702

$59,658

Average Female Salary

± $597

In 2017, full-time male employees in California made 1.26 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in California by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for California.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $69,782 ± $1,103

  2. White

    $63,110 ± $578

  3. Two or More Races

    $51,776 ± $1,728

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of California workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.11 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in California by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Salinas, CA is from California.

0.497

2017 Wage GINI

0.503

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in California was 0.497 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.1% decline from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2017 the GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Santa Clara County, CA

  2. San Mateo County, CA

  3. Marin County, CA

In 2017, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Salinas, CA was Santa Clara County, CA with a value of $119,035, followed by San Mateo County, CA and Marin County, CA, with respective values of $116,653 and $113,908.

The following map shows all of the counties in Salinas, CA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

14.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Salinas, CA (60.9k out of 415k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Males 6 - 11.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. Hispanic

    45,028 ± 1,664

  2. White

    39,637 ± 1,542

  3. Other

    14,646 ± 938

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Salinas, CA is Hispanic, followed by White and Other.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

191k

2017 Value

± 7,380

0.93%

1 Year growth

± 5.41%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Salinas, CA grew at a rate of 0.93%, from 189k employees to 191k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Salinas, CA, are Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (26,455 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (19,257 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (18,168 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Salinas, CA.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Salinas, CA, by number of employees, are Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (26,455 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (19,257 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (18,168 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other msas, Salinas, CA has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (23.9 times higher than expected), Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (1.35 times), and Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (1.32 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Salinas, CA, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($120,463), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($93,189), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($90,883).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

191k

2017 Value

± 7,380

0.93%

1 Year growth

± 5.41%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Salinas, CA grew at a rate of 0.93%, from 189k employees to 191k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Salinas, CA, are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (34,959 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (19,256 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (18,951 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Salinas, CA, though some of these residents may live in Salinas, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Salinas, CA, by number of employees, are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (34,959 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (19,256 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (18,951 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other msas, Salinas, CA has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (18.2 times higher than expected), Utilities (1.41 times), and Accommodation & Food Services (1.29 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Salinas, CA, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($158,112), Utilities ($87,083), and Public Administration ($75,188).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Electronics

    $196B

  2. Mixed freight

    $157B

  3. Gasoline

    $127B

In 2015, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $196B, followed by Mixed freight ($157B) and Gasoline ($127B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound California products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California state.

$1.54T

2015 Value

$2.48T

Projected 2045 Value

61.2% growth

In 2015, total outbound California trade was $1.54T. This is expected to increase 61.2% to $2.48T by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound California trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. Texas

    $63.1B

  2. Arizona

    $42.2B

  3. Washington

    $31.2B

In 2015, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $63.1B, followed by Arizona with $42.2B and Washington and $31.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that California shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

90.1% of the population of Salinas, CA has health coverage, with 39.8% on employee plans, 27% on Medicaid, 8.98% on Medicare, 12.5% on non-group plans, and 1.78% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the msa of Salinas, CA was $7,549 in 2014. This is a 4.04% increase from the previous year ($7,256).

Primary care physicians in Salinas, CA see 1281 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1281 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1214 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 324 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Tehama County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (10.6%). Additionally, Tulare County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (33.4%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

1,281 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in California see an average of 1,281 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,281 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in California in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

$7,549

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$4,735

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,368

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,833

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in California (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.04%, from $7,256 to $7,549.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

9.9%

Uninsured

39.8%

Employer Coverage

27%

Medicaid

8.98%

Medicare

12.5%

Non-Group

1.78%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Salinas, CA grew by 4.22% from 9.5% to 9.9%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Salinas, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Tehama County

    10.6% prevalence

  2. San Joaquin County

    10.5% prevalence

  3. Alpine County

    10.3% prevalence

Tehama County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in California, at 10.6%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in California by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Salinas, CA is home to a population of 438k people, from which 77.4% are citizens. As of 2017, 29.5% of Salinas, CA residents were born outside of the country (129k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Salinas, CA is composed of 257k Hispanic or Latino residents (58.8%), 130k White Alone residents (29.8%), 23.7k Asian Alone residents (5.42%), 13.3k Two or More Races residents (3.05%), 10.6k Black or African American Alone residents (2.41%), 1.68k Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.383%), 582 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.133%), and 190 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.0434%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Salinas, CA are N/A.

Age

Age by Nativity

27

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

44

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.8

In 2017, the median age of all people in Salinas, CA was 34.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 27, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 44. But people in Salinas, CA are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Salinas, CA residents was 34.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

29.5%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

129k people

29.7%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

129k people

As of 2017, 29.5% of Salinas, CA residents (129k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Salinas, CA was 29.7%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Salinas, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    4,079,391 ± 46,960 people

  2. Philippines

    859,594 ± 22,514 people

  3. China

    683,330 ± 20,119 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 4,079,391 California residents, followed by Philippines with 859,594 and China with 683,330.

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Citizenship

77.4%

2017 Citizenship

76.6%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 77.4% of Salinas, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Salinas, CA was 76.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Salinas, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. Hispanic or Latino

    257k ± 11.9k

  2. White Alone

    130k ± 156

  3. Asian Alone

    23.7k ± 1.84k

In 2017, there were 1.98 times more Hispanic or Latino residents (257k people) in Salinas, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 130k White Alone and 23.7k Asian Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Salinas, CA as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  2. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  3. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

N/A% of Salinas, CA citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is approximately the same as the national average of 21.8%. In N/A, the most common non-English language spoken in Salinas, CA was N/A. N/A% of the overall population of Salinas, CA are native N/A speakers. N/A% speak N/A and N/A% speak N/A, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    6,659 ± 1,091

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    2,318 ± 764

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    2,067 ± 780

Salinas, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.87 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Salinas, CA awarded 7,056 degrees. The student population of Salinas, CA is skewed towards women, with 15,399 male students and 15,904 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Salinas, CA are Hispanic or Latino (2,658 and 39.2%), followed by White (2,430 and 35.8%), Unknown (862 and 12.7%), and Asian (383 and 5.65%).

The largest universities in Salinas, CA by number of degrees awarded are Naval Postgraduate School (2,446 and 34.7%), California State University-Monterey Bay (1,685 and 23.9%), and Hartnell College (1,642 and 23.3%).

The most popular majors in Salinas, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,050 and 14.9%), General Business Administration & Management (667 and 9.45%), and Other Military Technologies & Applied Sciences (505 and 7.16%).

The median tuition costs in Salinas, CA are $38,250 for private four year colleges, and $5,472 and $16,632 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Business Administration & Management

    365 degrees awarded

  2. National Security Policy Studies

    217 degrees awarded

  3. Systems Engineering

    206 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Masters Degree recipients in Salinas, CA was General Business Administration & Management with 365 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Masters Degree from schools in Salinas, CA according to their major.

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Naval Postgraduate School

    2,446 degrees awarded

  2. California State University-Monterey Bay

    1,685 degrees awarded

  3. Hartnell College

    1,642 degrees awarded

$5,472

Median In-State Public

$38,250

Median Private

In 2016, the Salinas, CA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Naval Postgraduate School with 2,446 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

3,792

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,264

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 3,792 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Salinas, CA, which is 1.16 times more than the 3,264 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Salinas, CA by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. Hispanic or Latino

    2,658 degrees awarded

  2. White

    2,430 degrees awarded

  3. Unknown

    862 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Salinas, CA were to Hispanic or Latino students. These 2,658 degrees mean that there were 1.09 times more Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 2,430 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Salinas, CA was $517,200 in 2017, which is 2.38 times larger than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $481,000 to $517,200, a 7.53% increase. The homeownership rate in Salinas, CA is 51.3%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Salinas, CA have an average commute time of 21.4 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Salinas, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$71,274

Median Household Income

± $2,706

126k

Number of Households

± 5,401

In 2017, the median household income of the 126k households in Salinas, CA grew to $71,274 from the previous year's value of $63,876.

The following chart displays the households in Salinas, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Housing

Property Value

$517,200

2017 Median

± $24,858

$481,000

2016 Median

± $16,067

In 2017, the median property value in Salinas, CA grew to to $517,200 from the previous year's value of $481,000.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Salinas, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Salinas, CA the largest share of households have a property value in the $500k - $750k range.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Salinas, CA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Salinas, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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Rent vs Own

51.3%

2017 Homeownership

49.2%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 51.3% of the housing units in Salinas, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 49.2%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Salinas, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Salinas, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Salinas, CA have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

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Commute Time

21.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Salinas, CA have a shorter commute time (21.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.62% of the workforce in Salinas, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Salinas, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    72%

  2. Other

    9.7%

  3. Carpooled

    8.61%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Salinas, CA was Drove Alone (72%), followed by those who Other (9.7%) and those who Carpooled (8.61%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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