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CITY · 2020 ACS

Salem

Illinois · 7,282 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 $48,022. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $78,900. Households here earn about 30% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.2
US median: 38.8
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 8%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,282
−8%since 2000
from 7,909 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Median age
40.2
+2%since 2000
from 39.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
7K7K7K8K8K1990201020202024Salem
20247K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2020
Under 56.4%(466)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 96.5%(471)
US avg: 6.1%
10 to 146.6%(481)
US avg: 6.5%
15 to 195.7%(416)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 245.7%(414)
US avg: 6.7%
25 to 3413.2%(958)
US avg: 13.5%
35 to 4411.1%(805)
US avg: 12.7%
45 to 5410.8%(785)
US avg: 12.3%
55 to 6412.3%(894)
US avg: 13.1%
65 to 7411.1%(807)
US avg: 10%
75 to 847.1%(516)
US avg: 4.9%
85 and over3.7%(269)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,022
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,339 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,818
+58%since 2000
from $16,954 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
27.8%
+14.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
20.1%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade20.8%
US avg: 10%
Information10.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade2.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services2.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 2%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$78,900
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$638
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $367 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
63.8%
−5.9 ptssince 2000
from 69.7% in 2000
36.2% rent
Afford Score
1.6
−16%since 2009
from 2.0 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
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%
2020
White, non-Hispanic89.8%(6,538)
Black1.3%(93)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(155)
Asian0.9%(69)
Other2.5%(179)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican0.3%(18)
Asian origin
Filipino0.1%(10)
Ancestry
German23.5%(1,643)
American11.9%(829)
Irish11.8%(826)
English9.7%(681)
Polish2.9%(202)
Scotch-Irish2.2%(152)
Dutch2.1%(149)
French1.1%(78)
Scottish0.9%(62)
Italian0.8%(53)
British0.6%(42)
Norwegian0.3%(24)
+ 6 more ancestry groups with data
Danish0.2%(17)
Swedish0.2%(16)
Greek0.2%(14)
Welsh0.2%(14)
Austrian0.2%(13)
Czech0.1%(8)
RANKED:Largest German population · Largest American population · Largest Irish population · Largest English population · Largest Polish population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.3%
+14.0 ptssince 2000
from 77.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.9%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.8 min
+8%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
87.0%
+15.2 ptssince 2009
from 71.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.2%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 8.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.3%
+2.6 ptssince 2011
from 59.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.7%
−30.6 ptssince 2009
from 59.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
Female
53.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.2%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.7%
−84.7 ptssince 2013
from 92.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married39.4%(1,060)
Married43.3%(1,166)
Widowed4%(107)
Divorced13.3%(357)
Women 15+
Never married26.4%(832)
Married44.2%(1,396)
Widowed11.2%(353)
Divorced18.2%(575)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
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Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
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Income$47,807same
Home value$89,600+14%
Population11,863+69%
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SALEM VS
Mount Vernon
Income$55,357+15%
Home value$99,800+26%
Population14,187+102%
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SALEM VS
Highland
Income$82,551+72%
Home value$202,900+157%
Population10,042+43%
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SALEM VS
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Income$72,377+51%
Home value$177,500+125%
Population12,406+76%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Illinois?

Salem, Illinois has about 7,282 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, Illinois?

The typical household in Salem, Illinois earns about $48,022 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 $78,900, and the typical rent is about $638 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Illinois?

About 13.9% 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 20.1% of people in Salem, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 188 residents, a change of about -3 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 →