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Here’s how many people visited Salem this past Halloween
Salem Halloween crowds remained strong despite some rain and the government shutdown this year.
Tourists flocked to Salem this year despite rain and the ongoing government shutdown. On Halloween Day alone, the city welcomed 96,000 visitors, a 7.2 percent increase from last year, according to the city’s marketing organization Destination Salem.
Over the full month of October, Salem saw 1.1 million unique visitors, matching last year’s record-setting total. Total visits to Salem, measured by a 24-hour period spent in the city, reached 1.4 million, a 6.3 percent decrease from last year.
The city was forced to close several government-run buildings due to the shutdown, but local organizations stepped up to keep many key events and restroom facilities open. Nine rainy days threatened to slow crowds, but many visitors came prepared.
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“Salem’s ability to sustain more than one million visitors every October for six consecutive years underscores the city’s lasting appeal and the strength of our visitor experience,” said Ashley Judge, Executive Director of Destination Salem. “We continue to see travelers planning ahead, staying longer, and engaging more deeply with the city’s arts, culture, and hospitality community.”
Visitor numbers have hovered between 1.4 to 1.5 million over the last five years, according to data from Placer.ai. By comparison, only 1.1 million visits were recorded in October 2019.
Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo added, “I’m incredibly grateful to the City staff, our businesses and partner organizations, and, of course, the residents of Salem, for helping us again have a safe and successful October season. Welcoming over a million people to our community over the course of a month is no small feat, but thanks to the hard work and thoughtful planning of many, we were able to do so again this year.
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