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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Salem

North Carolina · 2,923 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 $32,050. Population has grown 24% since 1990. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $91,300. At a median age of 27.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 27.7
US median: 35.2
Less educated
12% 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
2,923
+24%since 1990
from 2,355 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Population density
681 / sq mi
+24%since 1990
from 549 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
27.7
−26%since 1990
from 37.5 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Salem
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,050
−5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $25,509 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$14,506
+24%since 1990
from $11,709 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
10.7%
+1.9 ptssince 1990
from 8.9% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$91,300
+24%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $56,000 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$464
+9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $323 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
74.9%
−2.7 ptssince 1990
from 77.7% in 1990
25.1% rent
Afford Score
2.8
+30%since 1990
from 2.2 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic98.5%(2,319)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Diversity Score3.8%(89)
2000
White, non-Hispanic78.5%(2,296)
Black15.6%(456)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(64)
Asian1.8%(53)
Diversity Score41.7%(1,218)
Diversity Score
42
+1008%since 1990
from 4 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.7%
+3.2 ptssince 1990
from 8.5% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
75.1%
+18.7 ptssince 1990
from 56.4% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
2.5%
+1.2 ptssince 1990
from 1.3% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
11.9 min
−29%since 1990
from 16.7 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.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

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Pop 2,519
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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+60%
Home value$221,700+143%
Population17,849+651%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Lenoir
Income$49,910+56%
Home value$179,400+96%
Population18,372+673%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Hickory
Income$64,576+101%
Home value$278,400+205%
Population45,975+1834%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394+88%
Home value$213,300+134%
Population9,457+298%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, North Carolina?

Salem, North Carolina has about 2,923 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Salem, North Carolina earns about $32,050 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 $91,300, and the typical rent is about $464 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, North Carolina?

About 11.7% 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 10.7% 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 568 residents, a change of about 24 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 →