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CITY · 2010 ACS

Salem

Illinois · 7,485 residents · 6.991 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 $35,145. Population has declined 5% since 2000. Median home value is $70,700. Households here earn about 37% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 39.5
US median: 37.2
Less educated
18% 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
7,485
−5%since 2000
from 7,909 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,071 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 1,131 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
39.5
+1%since 2000
from 39.3 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
7K7K7K8K8K1990201020202024Salem
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,145
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,339 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,235
+13%since 2000
from $16,954 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
15.7%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
22.1%
+13.0 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.429
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade19.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Information13.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance8.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical8.2%
US avg: 4.2%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 7%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3.2%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 3.1%
Manufacturing0.9%
US avg: 0.5%
Wholesale trade0.7%
US avg: 7.2%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$70,700
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,200 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$585
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $367 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
40.2%
−29.5 ptssince 2000
from 69.7% in 2000
33.0% rent
Vacancy rate
8.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
22.6%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
38.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.0
+21%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.6%(7,638)
Black0.7%(57)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(57)
Asian1.1%(90)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.4%(505)
2010
White, non-Hispanic95.1%(7,120)
Black1%(78)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(99)
Asian1.1%(81)
Other1.4%(103)
Diversity Score11.7%(876)
Diversity Score
12
+83%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.4%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
84.5%
+7.3 ptssince 2000
from 77.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.9%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.8 min
+63%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
76.4%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 71.9% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
13.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.7%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
8.8%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
16.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
32.5%
−26.8 ptssince 2009
from 59.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
Female
53.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 53.6% in 2009
Foreign born
1.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.8%
−33.0 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Centralia
Income$47,807+36%
Home value$89,600+27%
Population11,863+69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Mount Vernon
Income$55,357+58%
Home value$99,800+41%
Population14,187+102%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Highland
Income$82,551+135%
Home value$202,900+187%
Population10,042+43%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Effingham
Income$72,377+106%
Home value$177,500+151%
Population12,406+76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Illinois?

Salem, Illinois has about 7,485 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, Illinois?

The typical household in Salem, Illinois earns about $35,145 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 $70,700, and the typical rent is about $585 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Illinois?

About 18.4% 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 22.1% 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 15 residents, a change of about 0 percent over that period.

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

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