Salinas, CA

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Population

435,594

0.528% decline

Median Age

34.7


Median Household Income

$70,681

0.832% decline

Poverty Rate

14.7%


Number of Employees

190,707

0.201% decline

Median Property Value

$563,000

8.86% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2018, Salinas, CA had a population of 436k people with a median age of 34.7 and a median household income of $70,681. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Salinas, CA declined from 437,907 to 435,594, a -0.528% decrease and its median household income declined from $71,274 to $70,681, a -0.832% decrease.

The population of Salinas, CA is 59.1% Hispanic or Latino, 29.5% White Alone, and 5.64% Asian Alone. N/A% of the people in Salinas, CA speak a non-English language, and 78% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Salinas, CA are Naval Postgraduate School (2,388 degrees awarded in 2017), California State University-Monterey Bay (1,898 degrees), and Hartnell College (1,651 degrees).

The median property value in Salinas, CA is $563,000, and the homeownership rate is 51.3%. Most people in Salinas, CA commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 22.8 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 (30,176 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (21,271 people), and Retail Trade (17,109 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($80,426), Utilities ($77,578), and Public Administration ($62,697).

Median household income in Salinas, CA is $70,681. Males in Salinas, CA have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $62,298. The income inequality in Salinas, CA (measured using the Gini index) is 0.499, which is higher than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$70,681

2018 value

± $3,641

-0.832%

1 Year Growth

± 6.45%

Households in Salinas, CA have a median annual income of $70,681, which is more than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $71,274 in 2017, which represents a -0.832% 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.

$78,575

Average Male Salary

± $755

$62,298

Average Female Salary

± $633

In 2018, 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

    $73,860 ± $1,174

  2. White

    $65,115 ± $611

  3. Two or More Races

    $54,912 ± $1,843

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of California workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.13 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.

0.499

2018 Wage GINI

0.497

2017 Wage GINI

In 2018, the income inequality in California was 0.499 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.324% growth from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2018 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. Marin County, CA

  3. San Mateo County, CA

In 2018, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Salinas, CA was Santa Clara County, CA with a value of $126,606, followed by Marin County, CA and San Mateo County, CA, with respective values of $126,373 and $124,425.

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 13.1%. 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

2018 Value

± 7,797

-0.201%

1 Year decline

± 5.64%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Salinas, CA declined at a rate of -0.201%, from 191k employees to 191k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Salinas, CA, are Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (21,312 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (19,256 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (15,808 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 (21,312 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (19,256 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (15,808 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 (18.1 times higher than expected), Material Moving Occupations (1.66 times), and Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (1.31 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Salinas, CA, by median earnings, are Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($101,227), Healthcare Practitioners & Technical Occupations ($81,730), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($75,987).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

191k

2018 Value

± 7,797

-0.201%

1 Year decline

± 5.64%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Salinas, CA declined at a rate of -0.201%, from 191k employees to 191k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Salinas, CA, are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (30,176 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (21,271 people), and Retail Trade (17,109 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 (30,176 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (21,271 people), and Retail Trade (17,109 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other msas, Salinas, CA has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (14.2 times higher than expected), Wholesale Trade (1.28 times), and Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (1.2 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Salinas, CA, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($80,426), Utilities ($77,578), and Public Administration ($62,697).

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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

    $232B

  2. Mixed freight

    $172B

  3. Gasoline

    $136B

In 2015, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $232B, followed by Mixed freight ($172B) and Gasoline ($136B).

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.

$1.7T

2020 Value

$2.48T

Projected 2045 Value

46.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound California trade was $1.7T. This is expected to increase 46.3% 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

    $71.8B

  2. Arizona

    $46.9B

  3. Washington

    $34B

In 2015, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $71.8B, followed by Arizona with $46.9B and Washington and $34B.

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 436k people, from which 78% 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 258k Hispanic or Latino residents (59.1%), 129k White Alone residents (29.5%), 24.6k Asian Alone residents (5.64%), 10.9k Black or African American Alone residents (2.5%), 10.7k Two or More Races residents (2.47%), 2.14k Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.491%), 1.02k American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.234%), and 47 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.0108%).

Age

Age by Nativity

28

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

45

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.9

In 2018, the median age of all people in Salinas, CA was 34.7. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 28, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 45. But people in Salinas, CA are getting getting older. In 2017, 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

    4,032,642 ± 46,722 people

  2. Philippines

    840,765 ± 22,271 people

  3. China

    696,409 ± 20,307 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 4,032,642 California residents, followed by Philippines with 840,765 and China with 696,409.

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Citizenship

78%

2018 Citizenship

77.4%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 78% of Salinas, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Salinas, CA was 77.4%, 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

    258k ± 13.4k

  2. White Alone

    129k ± 186

  3. Asian Alone

    24.6k ± 1.74k

In 2018, there were 2 times more Hispanic or Latino residents (258k people) in Salinas, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 129k White Alone and 24.6k 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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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    6,433 ± 1,146

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    3,321 ± 1,210

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    2,093 ± 786

Salinas, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.94 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Salinas, CA awarded 7,553 degrees. The student population of Salinas, CA is skewed towards women, with 15,412 male students and 15,921 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Salinas, CA are Hispanic or Latino (2,981 and 41.3%), followed by White (2,540 and 35.2%), Unknown (782 and 10.8%), and Asian (408 and 5.66%).

The largest universities in Salinas, CA by number of degrees awarded are Naval Postgraduate School (2,388 and 31.6%), California State University-Monterey Bay (1,898 and 25.1%), and Hartnell College (1,651 and 21.9%).

The most popular majors in Salinas, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,106 and 14.6%), General Business Administration & Management (782 and 10.4%), and Other Military Technologies & Applied Sciences (451 and 5.97%).

The median tuition costs in Salinas, CA are $39,590 for private four year colleges, and $5,742 and $17,622 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Business Administration & Management

    379 degrees awarded

  2. Systems Engineering

    214 degrees awarded

  3. National Security Policy Studies

    189 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Masters Degree recipients in Salinas, CA was General Business Administration & Management with 379 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

    2,388 degrees awarded

  2. California State University-Monterey Bay

    1,898 degrees awarded

  3. Hartnell College

    1,651 degrees awarded

$5,742

Median In-State Public

$39,590

Median Private

In 2017, the Salinas, CA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Naval Postgraduate School with 2,388 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

3,985

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,568

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 3,985 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Salinas, CA, which is 1.12 times more than the 3,568 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

    2,981 degrees awarded

  2. White

    2,540 degrees awarded

  3. Unknown

    782 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Salinas, CA were to Hispanic or Latino students. These 2,981 degrees mean that there were 1.17 times more Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 2,540 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Salinas, CA was $563,000 in 2018, which is 2.45 times larger than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $517,200 to $563,000, a 8.86% 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 22.8 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.

Housing

Property Value

$563,000

2018 Median

± $19,181

$517,200

2017 Median

± $24,858

In 2018, the median property value in Salinas, CA grew to to $563,000 from the previous year's value of $517,200.

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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Household Income

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

$70,681

Median Household Income

± $3,641

126k

Number of Households

± 5,540

In 2018, the median household income of the 126k households in Salinas, CA declined from $70,681 from the previous year's value of $71,274.

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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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%

2018 Homeownership

51.3%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 51.3% of the housing units in Salinas, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 51.3%.

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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Commute Time

22.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Salinas, CA have a shorter commute time (22.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 2.54% 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

    70.8%

  2. Other

    9.95%

  3. Carpooled

    9.6%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Salinas, CA was Drove Alone (70.8%), followed by those who Other (9.95%) and those who Carpooled (9.6%).

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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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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