Updated September 10, 2026
How much housing does Salem have?
The Census counts 69,993 housing units in Salem for a population of about 176,666 — roughly 2.5 people for every housing unit.
That makes Salem the third largest of the four Oregon cities with a page here; Portland counts 304,113.
Who arranges chimney work on a Salem home?
About 55.7% of occupied Salem homes are owner-occupied, which leaves about 44.3% rented.
Even at 55.7% owner-occupied, the remaining 44.3% of Salem homes are rented, where the person who notices a problem and the person who authorizes the repair are not the same. Say which you are when you send a request.
Tenure also decides who keeps the paperwork. A Salem chimney's earlier reports follow the property, not the occupant, so ask for them whichever side of that 55.7% you are on.
Which cities near Salem have their own page here?
Portland, about 46 miles away, Eugene, about 60 miles away, and Bend, about 104 miles away — measured from Salem.
Those are great-circle distances between the Census 2023 Gazetteer interior points of each place, so the drive is longer than the figure.
Portland's median build year is 1966 against Salem's 1980, a 14-year difference in the housing the two chimneys belong to.
What you can observe safely
- Photograph the staining while the system is cold and from a safe distance.
What to avoid
- Do not climb onto the roof or enter the chimney.
- Do not alter gas components, venting, or safety controls.
- Do not use a test fire to diagnose the problem.
Possible causes to assess
- Combustion deposits
- Smoke escaping the expected path
- Appliance or venting concern
A symptom cannot establish the cause remotely. An assessment of the complete system helps determine the appropriate repair.
Chimney inspection in SalemA few common questions
Can this be diagnosed from a photo?
A photo can document a symptom and help prepare a visit. It cannot confirm concealed conditions or establish that a chimney or fuel-burning appliance is safe.
Sources & further reading
Source checked 2026-09-10.