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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Salem

North Carolina · 2,355 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 $25,509. Population has fallen 19% since 2000, a loss of 568 residents. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $56,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 37.5
US median: 33.0
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 19%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,355
−19%vs 2000
vs 2,923 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
549 / sq mi
−19%vs 2000
vs 681 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
37.5
+36%vs 2000
vs 27.7 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Salem
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$25,509
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $32,050 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$11,709
−19%vs 2000
vs $14,506 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
8.9%
−1.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 10.7% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$56,000
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $91,300 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$323
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $464 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
77.7%
+2.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 74.9% in 2000
22.3% rent
Afford Score
2.2
−23%vs 2000
vs 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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%
Diversity Score41.7%(1,218)
1990
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(2,319)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.5%(36)
Diversity Score3.8%(89)
Diversity Score
4
−91%vs 2000
vs 42 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.5%
−3.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 11.7% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
56.4%
−18.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 75.1% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
1.3%
−1.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 2.5% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.7 min
+41%vs 2000
vs 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

Bay Pines
Pop 2,519
Astatula
Pop 2,314
Bear Creek
Pop 2,179
Greenbriar
Pop 2,283
Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Morganton
Income$51,355+101%
Home value$221,700+296%
Population17,849+651%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Lenoir
Income$49,910+96%
Home value$179,400+220%
Population18,372+673%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Hickory
Income$64,576+153%
Home value$278,400+397%
Population45,975+1834%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394+137%
Home value$213,300+281%
Population9,457+298%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, North Carolina?

Salem, North Carolina has about 2,355 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Salem, North Carolina earns about $25,509 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 $56,000, and the typical rent is about $323 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, North Carolina?

About 8.5% 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 8.9% of people in Salem, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →