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CITY

Salem

Arkansas · 1,611 residents (2025 est.) · 2.412 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,833. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $105,900. The poverty rate of 29.1% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 33% less than the Arkansas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,620
+2%since 2000
from 1,591 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
672 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 660 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.3
−4%since 2000
from 41.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,611 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024Salem
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,833
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,714 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,627
+60%since 2000
from $12,891 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
28.6%
+20.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
29.1%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 21.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.408
−9%since 2010
from 0.447 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information19.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance10.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services6.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Retail trade6.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services1.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$105,900
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $51,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$676
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $303 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
56.7%
−6.6 ptssince 2000
from 63.3% in 2000
43.3% rent
Vacancy rate
18.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 19.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.5%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
31.4%
−17.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
+5%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
50
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.1%(1,545)
Black0.3%(5)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(8)
Asian0.3%(5)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.9%(45)
2024
White, non-Hispanic91.8%(1,487)
Black2.5%(40)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(12)
Asian0.2%(4)
Other4.8%(77)
Diversity Score19.3%(313)
Diversity Score
19
+576%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.7%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.1%
+26.9 ptssince 2000
from 65.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.1 min
+65%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.8%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 69.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.3%
−9.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.2%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.3%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.4%
−7.9 ptssince 2011
from 12.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
46.7%
−7.4 ptssince 2011
from 54.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.7%
−49.2 ptssince 2009
from 75.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
40.7%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 42.6% in 2009
Female
59.3%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 57.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.2%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 37.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
24.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2012
from 25.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.9%
−76.8 ptssince 2013
from 85.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
81.6%
+36.4 ptssince 2017
from 45.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.0%
+3.2 ptssince 2016
from 95.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.7%
−3.2 ptssince 2016
from 3.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
West Plains
Income$44,002+8%
Home value$169,900+60%
Population12,780+693%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Mountain Home
Income$41,274+1%
Home value$169,800+60%
Population13,373+730%
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SALEM VS
Batesville
Income$51,856+27%
Home value$163,600+54%
Population11,860+636%
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SALEM VS
Newport
Income$34,764−15%
Home value$162,600+54%
Population8,193+409%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Arkansas?

Salem, Arkansas has about 1,620 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, Arkansas?

The typical household in Salem, Arkansas earns about $40,833 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, Arkansas expensive?

In Salem, Arkansas, the median home is worth about $105,900, and the typical rent is about $676 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Arkansas?

About 11.7% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, Arkansas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, Arkansas?

About 29.1% of people in Salem, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, Arkansas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 144 residents, a change of about 10 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →