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CITY · 2010 ACS

Salem

New Jersey · 5,146 residents · 2.344 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $25,682. Population has declined 12% since 2000. 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $131,000. The poverty rate of 28.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 63% less than the New Jersey median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 34.4
US median: 37.2
Less educated
9% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,146
−12%since 2000
from 5,857 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,195 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 2,499 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
34.4
+3%since 2000
from 33.5 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K6K6K7K1990201020202024Salem
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$25,682
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,846 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,733
+31%since 2000
from $13,559 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
16.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
28.4%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 26.6% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.490
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information14.4%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade12.4%
US avg: 10.9%
Finance & insurance7.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical4.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 7.2%
Education & health services2.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.6%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Other services1.8%
US avg: 7%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$131,000
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $74,100 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$733
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $444 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
22.3%
−18.7 ptssince 2000
from 41.0% in 2000
64.5% rent
Vacancy rate
21.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 20.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
36.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 38.8% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
57.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 57.4% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
5.1
+78%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic35.9%(2,101)
Black55.7%(3,260)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(286)
Asian0.2%(14)
Other0%
Diversity Score66%(3,866)
2010
White, non-Hispanic29.4%(1,515)
Black60%(3,087)
Hispanic / Latino6.7%(344)
Asian0.4%(19)
Other1.2%(59)
Diversity Score65.8%(3,388)
Diversity Score
66
Unchangedsince 2000
from 66 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
8.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
73.3%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 67.8% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
4.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 1.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.3 min
+82%since 2000
from 16.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
65.5%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 67.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
17.7%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
9.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
0.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.9%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
3.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
25.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 24.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.9%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
21.7%
−39.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 42.4% in 2009
Female
56.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 57.6% in 2009
Foreign born
6.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.0%
−30.4 ptssince 2009
from 41.4% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

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Pop 5,379
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Pop 4,239
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Pop 5,923
Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Pennsville
Income$76,032+196%
Home value$207,600+58%
Population12,233+127%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Carneys Point
Income$77,273+201%
Home value$193,300+48%
Population8,050+49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Wilmington Manor
Income$78,078+204%
Home value$240,600+84%
Population8,214+52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Bear
Income$91,687+257%
Home value$304,800+133%
Population22,370+315%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, New Jersey?

Salem, New Jersey has about 5,146 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, New Jersey?

The typical household in Salem, New Jersey earns about $25,682 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, New Jersey expensive?

In Salem, New Jersey, the median home is worth about $131,000, and the typical rent is about $733 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, New Jersey?

About 8.7% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, New Jersey hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, New Jersey?

About 28.4% of people in Salem, New Jersey live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, New Jersey grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, New Jersey has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,737 residents, a change of about -25 percent over that period.

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

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