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CITY

Salem

North Carolina · 2,377 residents · 4.293 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $68,988. Population has fallen 19% since 2000, a loss of 546 residents. 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $159,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% 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
2,377
−19%since 2000
from 2,923 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
554 / sq mi
−14%since 2009
from 647 / sq mi in 2009
US average: 281
Median age
41.3
+49%since 2000
from 27.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Salem
20242K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 511.2%(266)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 92.5%(59)
US avg: 6%
10 to 143.7%(88)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 195.4%(129)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 242.6%(62)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 3414.4%(342)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 4414.8%(352)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 546.3%(150)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6410.5%(250)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 7413.2%(314)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 8413%(308)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over2.4%(57)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$68,988
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,050 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,654
+111%since 2000
from $14,506 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
41.4%
+25.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.1%
+8.3 ptssince 2000
from 10.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.381
+4%since 2010
from 0.365 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade39%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance3.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade1.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$159,100
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $91,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$856
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $464 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
71.8%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 74.9% in 2000
28.2% rent
Vacancy rate
12.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.7%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
32.5%
−18.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.3
−21%since 2009
from 2.9 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
47
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic78.5%(2,296)
Black15.6%(456)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(64)
Asian1.8%(53)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic80.9%(1,923)
Black1.2%(28)
Hispanic / Latino14.6%(347)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.3%(79)
Diversity Score
40
+6%since 2009
from 38 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican4.8%(113)
Guatemalan4.6%(109)
Ancestry
American23.6%(562)
English19.9%(473)
German13.5%(320)
Irish9.1%(217)
Italian3%(71)
Scotch-Irish2.6%(62)
Scottish2.1%(49)
Dutch1.2%(29)
West Indian0.8%(18)
Barbadian0.8%(18)
Swedish0.5%(11)
Arab0.3%(6)
+ 2 more ancestry groups with data
Lebanese0.3%(6)
French0.2%(5)
RANKED:Largest American population · Largest English population · Largest German population · Largest Irish population · Largest Mexican population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.8%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.8%
+12.7 ptssince 2000
from 75.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.9%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.6 min
+73%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 81.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
21.6%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.1%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.3%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.1%
−11.1 ptssince 2011
from 18.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.7%
−3.9 ptssince 2011
from 59.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.3%
−11.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
20.2%
−40.6 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.8%
−5.8 ptssince 2009
from 56.6% in 2009
Female
49.2%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
Foreign born
4.9%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.3%
−45.9 ptssince 2009
from 58.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.7%
−2.4 ptssince 2012
from 20.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.7%
−79.2 ptssince 2013
from 85.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.3%
+13.5 ptssince 2017
from 69.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
90.1%
−3.0 ptssince 2016
from 93.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
9.9%
+3.0 ptssince 2016
from 6.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married16.8%(163)
Married55%(532)
Widowed11.5%(111)
Divorced16.7%(162)
Women 15+
Never married30.9%(308)
Married49.9%(497)
Widowed6.4%(64)
Divorced12.8%(127)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Drill deeper

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Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Morganton
Income$51,355−26%
Home value$221,700+39%
Population17,849+651%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Lenoir
Income$49,910−28%
Home value$179,400+13%
Population18,372+673%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Hickory
Income$64,576−6%
Home value$278,400+75%
Population45,975+1834%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394−12%
Home value$213,300+34%
Population9,457+298%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, North Carolina?

Salem, North Carolina has about 2,377 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, North Carolina?

The typical household in Salem, North Carolina earns about $68,988 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, North Carolina expensive?

In Salem, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $159,100, and the typical rent is about $856 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, North Carolina?

About 22.8% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, North Carolina?

About 19.1% of people in Salem, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 22 residents, a change of about 1 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 →