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CITY · 2020 ACS

Salem

North Carolina · 2,356 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 $50,469. Population has fallen 19% since 2000, a loss of 567 residents. Median home value is $128,800. With a median age of 46.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. The poverty rate of 25.8% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 6%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,356
−19%since 2000
from 2,923 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
549 / sq mi
−19%since 2000
from 681 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.1
+66%since 2000
from 27.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Salem
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,469
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,050 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,628
+77%since 2000
from $14,506 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.2%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.8%
+15.1 ptssince 2000
from 10.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.4%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade3.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services1.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$128,800
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $91,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$594
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $464 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
75.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 74.9% in 2000
24.7% rent
Afford Score
2.6
−10%since 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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic83.2%(1,960)
Black2.9%(68)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(187)
Asian1.3%(30)
Other3.8%(89)
Diversity Score35.8%(842)
Diversity Score
36
−14%since 2000
from 42 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.0%
+10.3 ptssince 2000
from 11.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.9%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 75.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.4%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.8 min
+58%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
88.8%
+7.8 ptssince 2009
from 81.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.2%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.4%
−10.8 ptssince 2011
from 18.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
39.4%
−20.2 ptssince 2011
from 59.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.9%
−27.9 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 56.6% in 2009
Female
49.8%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
Foreign born
5.0%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
16.1%
−69.8 ptssince 2013
from 85.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+2%
Home value$221,700+72%
Population17,849+651%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Lenoir
Income$49,910−1%
Home value$179,400+39%
Population18,372+673%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Hickory
Income$64,576+28%
Home value$278,400+116%
Population45,975+1834%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394+20%
Home value$213,300+66%
Population9,457+298%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, North Carolina?

Salem, North Carolina has about 2,356 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Salem, North Carolina earns about $50,469 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 $128,800, and the typical rent is about $594 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, North Carolina?

About 22.0% 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 25.8% 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 1 residents, a change of about 0 percent over that period.

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

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