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CITY

Salem

Iowa · 381 residents (2025 est.) · 0.626 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 $51,250. Population has fallen 25% since 2000, a loss of 115 residents. 10% 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 $85,700. With a median age of 44.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 32% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
349
−25%since 2000
from 464 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
558 / sq mi
−25%since 2000
from 741 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.5
+12%since 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:381 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3143874605336061990201020202024Salem
2024349
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,250
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,042
+40%since 2000
from $18,585 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
32.0%
+28.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
18.1%
+14.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.369
+20%since 2010
from 0.307 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade28.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade9.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Information9.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction4.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$85,700
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$922
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $389 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
82.7%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 73.8% in 2000
17.3% rent
Vacancy rate
3.8%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
28.2%
+12.8 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.0%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.7
+44%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
38
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.2%(451)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(3)
Asian0.4%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.7%(13)
2024
White, non-Hispanic84.2%(294)
Black1.4%(5)
Hispanic / Latino6.6%(23)
Asian1.4%(5)
Other6.3%(22)
Diversity Score35.2%(123)
Diversity Score
35
+1195%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.6%
+10.2 ptssince 2000
from 81.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.6 min
+119%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.0%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 74.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.6%
−12.7 ptssince 2009
from 25.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.2%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.2%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% 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
4.7%
−8.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.4%
+1.9 ptssince 2011
from 3.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.1%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 58.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.9%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
16.3%
−42.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 42.5% in 2009
Female
57.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.3%
−31.1 ptssince 2009
from 39.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2012
from 21.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.5%
−83.7 ptssince 2013
from 87.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.3%
+23.3 ptssince 2017
from 62.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.3%
−1.9 ptssince 2016
from 99.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

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Pop 380
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Pop 344
Ila
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Arnoldsville
Pop 445
Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Mount Pleasant
Income$61,042+19%
Home value$160,900+88%
Population8,500+2131%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Fairfield
Income$51,311same
Home value$156,000+82%
Population9,220+2320%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Fort Madison
Income$50,705−1%
Home value$94,200+10%
Population9,935+2508%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Burlington
Income$59,000+15%
Home value$114,300+33%
Population23,336+6025%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Iowa?

Salem, Iowa has about 349 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, Iowa?

The typical household in Salem, Iowa earns about $51,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, Iowa expensive?

In Salem, Iowa, the median home is worth about $85,700, and the typical rent is about $922 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Iowa?

About 9.6% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, Iowa?

About 18.1% of people in Salem, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 108 residents, a change of about -24 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 →