Salem ( SAY-ləm) is a historic coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, located in the North Shore region. Continuous settlement by Europeans began in 1626 and Salem would become one of the most significant seaports in early American history.
Salem is a residential and tourist area that is home to the House of Seven Gables, Salem State University, Pioneer Village, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, Salem Willows Park, and the Peabody Essex Museum. It features historic residential neighborhoods in the Federal Street District and the Charter Street Historic District. The city's population was 44,480 at the 2020 census.Much of the city's cultural identity reflects its role as the location of the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692, as featured in Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Police cars are adorned with witch logos, a public elementary school is known as Witchcraft Heights, and the Salem High School athletic teams are named the Witches. Gallows Hill was once believed to be the site of many public hangings; it is now a park and used as a playing field for various sports.


The city is home to the Salem Red Sox, a Class A minor league baseball team that plays in the Carolina League. The Boston Red Sox own and operate their Advanced Single-A affiliate in nearby Portland, Maine. In 2018, Forbes ranked Salem as America's 11th Most Miserable City due to its high crime rate (particularly violent crimes) and unemployment rates.
Salem is located at .

Salem City Map Poster

Design your own map of Salem

About Salem

Cities near Salem