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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Salem

Kentucky · 769 residents · 0.852 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 $29,196. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $47,000. With a median age of 50.9, the population is older than the US median of 35.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 50.9
US median: 35.2
Less educated
10% 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
769
+3%since 1990
from 744 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Median age
50.9
+9%since 1990
from 46.7 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
6537157788409021990201020202024Salem
2024780
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2000
Under 54%(31)
US avg: 6.8%
5 to 94.9%(38)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 144.3%(33)
US avg: 7.3%
15 to 195.6%(43)
US avg: 7.2%
20 to 244.7%(36)
US avg: 6.7%
25 to 349.4%(72)
US avg: 14.2%
35 to 4410.5%(81)
US avg: 16%
45 to 5412.4%(95)
US avg: 13.4%
55 to 6412.7%(98)
US avg: 8.6%
65 to 7413.3%(102)
US avg: 6.5%
75 to 8412.1%(93)
US avg: 4.4%
85 and over6.1%(47)
US avg: 1.5%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$29,196
+31%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $16,937 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,156
+62%since 1990
from $9,979 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
10.7%
−4.2 ptssince 1990
from 14.9% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$47,000
−3%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $36,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$371
+6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $266 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
80.1%
+0.3 ptssince 1990
from 79.9% in 1990
19.9% rent
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic99.6%(741)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(5)
Asian0.4%(3)
2000
White, non-Hispanic98.6%(758)
Black0.3%(2)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(5)
Asian0%(0)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Mexican11.4%(89)
Asian origin
Chinese0.3%(2)
Ancestry
American13.5%(105)
English9.2%(72)
Irish6.5%(51)
German3.7%(29)
Welsh1%(8)
French0.6%(5)
Dutch0.3%(2)
Italian0.3%(2)
RANKED:Largest American population · Largest Mexican population · Largest English population · Largest Irish population · Largest German population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.8%
+5.4 ptssince 1990
from 4.5% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
63.7%
+10.6 ptssince 1990
from 53.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
5.8%
+4.4 ptssince 1990
from 1.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.5 min
−23%since 1990
from 24.0 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.

Marital status
Men 15+
Never married17.8%(48)
Married70.3%(189)
Widowed1.9%(5)
Divorced10%(27)
Women 15+
Never married11.3%(45)
Married61.2%(244)
Widowed18.3%(73)
Divorced9.3%(37)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

Paxton
Pop 695
Yankeetown
Pop 637
Cedar Key
Pop 744
Bethlehem
Pop 822
Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Paducah
Income$49,915+71%
Home value$165,300+252%
Population26,730+3697%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Madisonville
Income$53,860+84%
Home value$164,100+249%
Population19,428+2660%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Mayfield
Income$40,965+40%
Home value$112,500+139%
Population9,851+1299%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Murray
Income$44,091+51%
Home value$195,000+315%
Population18,964+2594%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Kentucky?

Salem, Kentucky has about 769 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Salem, Kentucky?

The typical household in Salem, Kentucky earns about $29,196 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, Kentucky expensive?

In Salem, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $47,000, and the typical rent is about $371 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Kentucky?

About 9.8% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, Kentucky?

About 10.7% of people in Salem, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 25 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 →