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CITY · 2010 ACS

Salem

North Carolina · 2,218 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 $41,594. Population has fallen 24% since 2000, a loss of 705 residents. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $118,000. With a median age of 44.3, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 44.3
US median: 37.2
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,218
−24%since 2000
from 2,923 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
517 / sq mi
−24%since 2000
from 681 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
44.3
+60%since 2000
from 27.7 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Salem
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,594
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,050 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,730
+36%since 2000
from $14,506 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
19.8%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
12.0%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 10.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.365
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade17.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade11.1%
US avg: 7.2%
Information8.7%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services1.8%
US avg: 7%
Public administration1.8%
US avg: 4.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.6%
US avg: 1.4%
Professional, scientific, technical1%
US avg: 4.2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 3.1%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$118,000
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $91,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$606
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $464 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
42.7%
−32.3 ptssince 2000
from 74.9% in 2000
22.7% rent
Vacancy rate
8.7%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
14.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.0%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.8
Unchangedsince 2000
from 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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic92.5%(2,052)
Black1.2%(26)
Hispanic / Latino4.2%(94)
Asian0.5%(10)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score14.2%(315)
Diversity Score
14
−66%since 2000
from 42 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.7%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
79.6%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 75.1% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
7.5%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.2 min
+53%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
82.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 81.0% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
11.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 3.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
25.3%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 22.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
38.7%
−22.1 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 56.6% in 2009
Female
51.5%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
Foreign born
4.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
14.0%
−44.3 ptssince 2009
from 58.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

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Pop 2,519
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Pop 2,179
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Pop 2,283
Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Morganton
Income$51,355+23%
Home value$221,700+88%
Population17,849+651%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Lenoir
Income$49,910+20%
Home value$179,400+52%
Population18,372+673%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Hickory
Income$64,576+55%
Home value$278,400+136%
Population45,975+1834%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394+45%
Home value$213,300+81%
Population9,457+298%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, North Carolina?

Salem, North Carolina has about 2,218 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Salem, North Carolina earns about $41,594 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 $118,000, and the typical rent is about $606 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, North Carolina?

About 17.7% 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 12.0% of people in Salem, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 137 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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

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