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CITY · 2020 ACS

Salem

Iowa · 394 residents · 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 $44,750. Population has fallen 15% since 2000, a loss of 70 residents. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $65,900. With a median age of 44.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 28% less than the Iowa median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
394
−15%since 2000
from 464 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
629 / sq mi
−15%since 2000
from 741 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.5
+12%since 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3143874605336061990201020202024Salem
2024349
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,750
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,500 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,208
+3%since 2000
from $18,585 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.3%
+16.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.2%
+12.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information22.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade16.8%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance7.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food3.3%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$65,900
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$850
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $389 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
75.6%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 73.8% in 2000
24.4% rent
Afford Score
1.5
+26%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.4%(360)
Black0.3%(1)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(11)
Asian0.8%(3)
Other1.8%(7)
Diversity Score13.9%(55)
Diversity Score
14
+413%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.9%
+11.5 ptssince 2000
from 81.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
0.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.2 min
+38%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.6%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 74.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.7%
−9.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.4%
+3.9 ptssince 2011
from 3.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.0%
+4.1 ptssince 2011
from 58.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
21.5%
−37.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 42.5% in 2009
Female
56.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 57.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.1%
−81.1 ptssince 2013
from 87.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

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Pop 380
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Arnoldsville
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Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Mount Pleasant
Income$61,042+36%
Home value$160,900+144%
Population8,500+2131%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Fairfield
Income$51,311+15%
Home value$156,000+137%
Population9,220+2320%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Fort Madison
Income$50,705+13%
Home value$94,200+43%
Population9,935+2508%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Burlington
Income$59,000+32%
Home value$114,300+73%
Population23,336+6025%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Iowa?

Salem, Iowa has about 394 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, Iowa?

The typical household in Salem, Iowa earns about $44,750 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 $65,900, and the typical rent is about $850 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Iowa?

About 7.4% 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 15.2% 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 63 residents, a change of about -14 percent over that period.

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

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