Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. Salem and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County. Home to Salem State College, the Salem Willows Park and the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem is a residential and tourist area which includes the neighborhoods of Salem Neck, The Point, South Salem and North Salem, and Witchcraft Heights.
Salem was one of the most significant seaports in early America. It boasts the first National Historic Site designated by Congress, Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which protects Salem's historic waterfront.
