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CITY

Salem

Arkansas · 2,642 residents · 3.145 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $73,750. Population has declined 5% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $202,100. With a median age of 53.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Poverty is rare here, at 2.4% of residents.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 53.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 35%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,642
−5%since 2000
from 2,789 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
840 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 887 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
53.8
+39%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Salem
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$73,750
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,681 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,884
+83%since 2000
from $21,301 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
50.0%
+13.9 ptssince 2009
from 36.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
2.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.380
+7%since 2010
from 0.354 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information8.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade6%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$202,100
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $82,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
83.5%
−3.0 ptssince 2000
from 86.4% in 2000
16.5% rent
Vacancy rate
0.0%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
6.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.7
+49%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
57
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.3%(2,714)
Black0.3%(9)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(30)
Asian0.2%(5)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.9%(110)
2024
White, non-Hispanic90.6%(2,393)
Black0.7%(18)
Hispanic / Latino6.5%(171)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.3%(60)
Diversity Score21.9%(577)
Diversity Score
22
+455%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.7%
+13.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.3%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 88.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.8%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.4 min
+28%since 2000
from 17.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.4%
−9.1 ptssince 2009
from 87.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.4%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
14.4%
+11.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% 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
4.9%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 1.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.9%
−11.4 ptssince 2011
from 69.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
4.4%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.5%
−23.9 ptssince 2009
from 61.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
39.1%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
Female
60.9%
+7.9 ptssince 2009
from 52.9% in 2009
Foreign born
5.9%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.1%
−45.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2012
from 20.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.7%
−88.2 ptssince 2013
from 92.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.7%
+14.1 ptssince 2017
from 78.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.1%
−10.2 ptssince 2016
from 99.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.7%
+6.3 ptssince 2016
from 0.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Benton
Income$72,876−1%
Home value$212,700+5%
Population38,898+1372%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Bryant
Income$83,024+13%
Home value$223,200+10%
Population22,815+764%
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SALEM VS
Little Rock
Income$63,003−15%
Home value$236,400+17%
Population206,427+7713%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Maumelle
Income$103,333+40%
Home value$291,700+44%
Population19,780+649%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Arkansas?

Salem, Arkansas has about 2,642 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 $73,750 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 $202,100.

How educated are people in Salem, Arkansas?

About 25.7% 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 2.4% of people in Salem, Arkansas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, Arkansas grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, Arkansas has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 308 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

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