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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Salem

Illinois · 7,909 residents · 6.991 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $34,339. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $57,200. Households here earn about 26% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 39.3
US median: 35.2
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,909
+6%since 1990
from 7,470 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,131 / sq mi
+6%since 1990
from 1,069 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
39.3
+8%since 1990
from 36.3 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
7K7K7K8K8K1990201020202024Salem
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,339
+11%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $23,477 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,954
+41%since 1990
from $12,019 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
9.2%
−4.5 ptssince 1990
from 13.6% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$57,200
+16%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $37,300 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$367
−5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $292 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
69.7%
−1.1 ptssince 1990
from 70.8% in 1990
30.3% rent
Afford Score
1.7
+5%since 1990
from 1.6 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic95.5%(7,137)
Black0.3%(26)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(18)
Asian3.6%(272)
Diversity Score11.3%(842)
2000
White, non-Hispanic96.6%(7,638)
Black0.7%(57)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(57)
Asian1.1%(90)
Diversity Score6.4%(505)
Diversity Score
6
−43%since 1990
from 11 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.3%
+2.4 ptssince 1990
from 10.9% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
77.2%
+7.0 ptssince 1990
from 70.2% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
3.9%
+0.1 ptssince 1990
from 3.8% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.8 min
−8%since 1990
from 14.0 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Centralia
Income$47,807+39%
Home value$89,600+57%
Population11,863+69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Mount Vernon
Income$55,357+61%
Home value$99,800+74%
Population14,187+102%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Highland
Income$82,551+140%
Home value$202,900+255%
Population10,042+43%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Effingham
Income$72,377+111%
Home value$177,500+210%
Population12,406+76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Illinois?

Salem, Illinois has about 7,909 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Salem, Illinois?

The typical household in Salem, Illinois earns about $34,339 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, Illinois expensive?

In Salem, Illinois, the median home is worth about $57,200, and the typical rent is about $367 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Illinois?

About 13.3% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, Illinois?

About 9.2% of people in Salem, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 439 residents, a change of about 6 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 →