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CITY

Salem

Missouri · 4,674 residents (2025 est.) · 3.479 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 $43,923. Population has declined 4% since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $115,000. Households here earn about 38% less than the Missouri median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,677
−4%since 2000
from 4,854 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,344 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 1,395 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.3
+9%since 2000
from 38.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,674 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K5K5K5K1990201020202024Salem
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,923
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,648 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,524
+131%since 2000
from $12,766 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
27.0%
+18.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.1%
−6.4 ptssince 2000
from 17.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.488
+13%since 2010
from 0.434 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information15.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade9%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance6.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Wholesale trade3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services2.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Education & health services1.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.4%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$115,000
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$639
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $330 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
50.0%
−7.0 ptssince 2000
from 57.0% in 2000
50.0% rent
Vacancy rate
16.9%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.7%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 23.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.7%
−9.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
+5%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
48
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.7%(4,693)
Black0.7%(33)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(40)
Asian0.2%(8)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.2%(203)
2024
White, non-Hispanic90.9%(4,253)
Black0.9%(41)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(78)
Asian0.2%(8)
Other6.4%(297)
Diversity Score21.1%(986)
Diversity Score
21
+403%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.1%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
83.8%
+23.8 ptssince 2000
from 60.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.3 min
−1%since 2000
from 15.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
89.1%
+11.8 ptssince 2009
from 77.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.6%
−12.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.9%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.0%
−7.3 ptssince 2011
from 10.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.7%
+5.6 ptssince 2011
from 48.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
21.6%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.4%
−29.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.3% in 2009
Female
55.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.4%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.3%
−33.4 ptssince 2009
from 43.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
25.2%
−5.6 ptssince 2012
from 30.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
14.8%
−65.5 ptssince 2013
from 80.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
78.4%
+16.9 ptssince 2017
from 61.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.2%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 99.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2016
from 0.1% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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SALEM VS
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SALEM VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Missouri?

Salem, Missouri has about 4,677 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, Missouri?

The typical household in Salem, Missouri earns about $43,923 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, Missouri expensive?

In Salem, Missouri, the median home is worth about $115,000, and the typical rent is about $639 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Missouri?

About 15.1% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, Missouri?

About 11.1% of people in Salem, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, Missouri has grown since 1990. The population has added about 191 residents, a change of about 4 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 →

Salem, Missouri: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy