$441,871Average Value$288Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
An energetic neighborhood in the heart of Oregon's capital
Located along the Willamette River in the heart of the capital city, Downtown Salem is a lively, bustling neighborhood with plenty of activities. "We have a lot of new restaurants, some recently opened hotels, a riverfront park and lots of walking near the State Capitol," says Jim Sparkman, a Realtor with HomeSmart Realty Group with nearly 20 years of experience. "Downtown parking is limited. We've got the same challenges that other cities have. But overall, there are a lot of positives." The neighborhood's local restaurants cover various cuisines, from Mexican and Mediterranean to standard American fare. Multiple parks offer a combination of natural scenery and history, like the fountains outside the State Capitol building or the walking trails on the banks of the river.
Local shops and restaurants in Downtown Salem
Proximity to shopping and dining is one of the main draws of Downtown Salem, and there are plenty of options, including fine dining at Rudy's Steakhouse. "They have phenomenal steaks," Sparkman says. "They have great side dishes and some famous Brussels sprouts with bacon that are off the charts. Plus, they have a wide selection of wines and whiskey." Masonry Grill is just down the street from Rudy's and offers a more casual dining experience, serving burgers and craft beer in a brick-walled interior. The Governor's Cup is an eclectic coffee shop with lots of art on the walls and occasional live music. Shopping is close by at Salem Center, a large indoor mall that has decreased in popularity in recent years but still has stores like Macy's, GameStop and Famous Footwear, plus a Regal Cinebarre movie theater. There is a Safeway on Center Street or a Fred Meyer north of the neighborhood on Broadway Street.
The Salem Center, in Downtown Salem, has several retail establishments, like Ross.
Kohl's is another retail store you can find when cruising around Downtown Salem.
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Plenty of green space in the capital city
For a city center, Downtown Salem has plenty of green space. Riverfront Park is one of the city's most popular parks, with an amphitheater, open fields, walking paths and playgrounds. The park is home to Salem's Riverfront Carousel, an indoor carousel with hand-carved horses, dragons, giraffes and elephants. The Gilbert House Children's Museum in the park's northern end has many interactive exhibits where kids can learn and play. The Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge connects the park to Minto-Brown Island Park, a 1,200-acre natural area with over 29 miles of trails. State Capitol State Park is a large grassy lawn in front of the Oregon State Capitol. This green space has three fountains, several benches and historical markers.
Take a seat or take the dogs out when walking around the State Capital Park in Downtown Salem.
Surrounding by lush green grass and tall mature trees, exercising in Downtown Salem is perfect.
Food vendors can be found when you're out and about the city in Downtown Salem.
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Concerts and festivals in Riverfront Park
Downtown Salem stays busy throughout the year with many events and festivals. The Gerry Frank Salem Rotary Amphitheater in Riverfront Park hosts multiple concerts each year. The park is also the site of ¡Viva Salem!, the city's Hispanic heritage festival featuring food and craft vendors, live music and artists. There is a weekly farmers market on Saturdays at the corner of Summer and Marion Streets. The Willamette Valley Heritage Center is a local history museum with several annual events, including drive-through trick-or-treating and Magic at the Mill, a holiday festival with thousands of lights decorating the historic buildings.
A look at the Gerry Frank Salem Rotary Amphitheater located inside Riverfront Park.
The lovely indoor carousel, perfect for kids of all ages.
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Single-family cottages and high-rise condos in Downtown Salem
Most of Downtown Salem is commercial space or state government offices, but there are several housing options. Single-family homes are concentrated around the neighborhood's edges on tree-lined gridded streets. Most houses are Cape Cods, cottages or Craftsman homes, typically on small lots. Most single-family houses cost between $300,000 and $560,000. Condos are also available in the neighborhood. These are usually high-rise buildings with private parking and outdoor balconies that offer city views. These units typically cost between $260,000 and $575,000.
A little old world charm went in to keeping this little Cottage-style home looking amazing.
Most homes in the Downtown Salem area are smaller and older than other parts of the city.
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Easy access to all of Salem
Downtown Salem is a well-connected neighborhood. Residents can easily walk throughout the neighborhood to get to local shopping and dining. Nearly every Cherriots bus route passes through the neighborhood as well, with the transfer center located on Court Street. The Marion Street Bridge offers a route across the Willamette River into West Salem and can get backed up at peak traffic times since it is the only way to cross the river. Trade Street turns into Mission Street east of the neighborhood, leading about 4 miles to Interstate 5. Residents have easy access to medical care with Salem Hospital in the neighborhood.
Local schools from kindergarten through graduate programs
Students in Downtown Salem might attend Bush Elementary School, rated a C by Niche, and Leslie Middle School, rated C-plus. South Salem High School gets a B-plus rating and has approximately 2,200 students. The school opened in 1954 and saw immediate success, winning a football state championship and earning a National Merit Scholar in its first few years. South Salem High offers dual credit courses through Chemeketa Community College, Western Oregon University and Oregon Tech. Students can also take career and technical education classes in broadcast journalism, computer programming and sports medicine. Willamette University, a private school founded in 1842 and the oldest university in the western United States, is also in the neighborhood. The school offers a variety of programs, including law, engineering, forestry and art.
The students at North Salem High School are surrounded by great teachers and staff.
A look at J.L. Parrish Middle School serving Downtown Salem.
An elevated look at Englewood Elementary in Salem, Oregon.
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Important things to know in Downtown Salem
Downtown Salem has a high risk of flooding due to its low-lying location along the Willamette River and Pringle Creek. The city website has several resources for homeowners, including floodplain maps, insurance information and safety tips. The neighborhood also has a CAP Index crime score of 6 out of 10, higher than the national average of 4, with higher scores for property crimes.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Emily Brock,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Dabney State Recreation Area
Riverfront Park
State Capitol State Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Pringle City Park
Marion Square Park
Ellmaker State Wayside
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Salem
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
9
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Salem, Salem sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Downtown Salem, Salem over the last 12 months is $388,737, down 11% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Ultimate urban living in downtown Salem in this 4th floor condo. Easy walk to coffee, shopping, parks, downtown entertainment, Willamette U, Salem Hospital & more. Open concept living space with bamboo floors, covered patio & floor to ceiling windows for great city and sunset views. Kitchen features granite counters, ALL NEW SS APPLIANCES as well as new interior PAINT and WATER HEATER. Includes
Charming 1957 home. 3 bed, 2 bath ranch just minutes from Salem Hospital, Bush Park & downtown! Enjoy new carpet, gleaming hardwoods, updated appliances, PEX plumbing, and a 2023 roof. The cedar-fenced yard is perfect for pets or backyard hangouts. With 1,500+ sq ft and dual living potential, it’s a smart pick for hospital staff, investors, or first-time buyers. Prime location and move-in
Charming home in Salem’s historic Gaiety Hill, just steps from Bush Park, Willamette University, Salem Health, and downtown. Beautifully updated with remodeled kitchen & bath, open-concept living, gallery lighting, media room, bonus/4th bdrm/gym newer roof & HVAC. Private backyard with firepit, automated irrigation, raised garden beds, garage/studio w/mini-split system. A rare opportunity to own
Welcome to Rivenwood, a brand-new community in the heart of Downtown Salem, Oregon. Our thoughtfully designed studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments offer unmatched style and convenience with spectacular attention to detail. Throughout the community you’ll discover areas for work or socializing that uniquely capture the essence of our city. Convenient features are seamlessly integrated into our
Experience the style and convenience you’ve been searching for at The Court Yard, located just one block from the scenic Riverfront City Park in NE Salem. With endless activities right at your doorstep, you’ll have access to running trails, the Salem Riverfront Carousel, a splash pad, and a play area. Enjoy easy access to Salem's top restaurants, bars, tap rooms, boutiques, and art venues—whether
Part of the Your Tour, Your Way™ program. It’s your apartment and you are welcome to tour in a way that makes you feel most at home. Whether you prefer to take a self-guided tour on your own, be accompanied by one of our leasing professionals or take a live video tour from the comfort of your home, we have options that will work for you!
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Emily Brock,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,682
Median Age
32
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.2%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$58,894
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$95,885
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.6%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
45.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
17.2%
% Population in Labor Force
63.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
35°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
88/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
92/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
61/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
