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CITY · 2010 ACS

Salem

Arkansas · 1,635 residents · 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 $24,625. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $66,800. With a median age of 42.5, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 37% less than the Arkansas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 42.5
US median: 37.2
Less educated
9% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,635
+3%since 2000
from 1,591 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
678 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 660 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
42.5
+4%since 2000
from 41.0 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024Salem
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$24,625
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,714 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,099
+33%since 2000
from $12,891 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
8.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
33.8%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 21.8% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.447
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade12%
US avg: 10.9%
Information10%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance6.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services4.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 7%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 3.1%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$66,800
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $51,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$431
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $303 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
35.8%
−27.5 ptssince 2000
from 63.3% in 2000
38.1% rent
Vacancy rate
19.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.2% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
18.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
49.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.7
+10%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic96%(1,570)
Black0.3%(5)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(23)
Asian0.3%(5)
Other2.2%(37)
Diversity Score10.3%(168)
Diversity Score
10
+261%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 9.5% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
86.4%
+21.1 ptssince 2000
from 65.3% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
3.3%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 3.3% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.4 min
−19%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
71.9%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 69.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
18.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.1%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
10.8%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
19.7%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
33.5%
−42.3 ptssince 2009
from 75.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.7%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 42.6% in 2009
Female
54.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
14.4%
−22.9 ptssince 2009
from 37.4% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
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Income$44,002+79%
Home value$169,900+154%
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SALEM VS
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Income$41,274+68%
Home value$169,800+154%
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SALEM VS
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Income$51,856+111%
Home value$163,600+145%
Population11,860+636%
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SALEM VS
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Income$34,764+41%
Home value$162,600+143%
Population8,193+409%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Arkansas?

Salem, Arkansas has about 1,635 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, Arkansas?

The typical household in Salem, Arkansas earns about $24,625 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 $66,800, and the typical rent is about $431 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Arkansas?

About 9.1% 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 33.8% 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 159 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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

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