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CITY · 2020 ACS

Salem

New Jersey · 5,296 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 $22,125. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $58,900. At a median age of 33.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 74% less than the New Jersey median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
8% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 47%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,296
−10%since 2000
from 5,857 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,259 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 2,499 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.3
−1%since 2000
from 33.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K6K6K7K1990201020202024Salem
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$22,125
−43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,846 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,719
+23%since 2000
from $13,559 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
10.5%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
44.1%
+17.5 ptssince 2000
from 26.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.7%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance10.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing4.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services3.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services2.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade0.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$58,900
−47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $74,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$824
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $444 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
28.2%
−12.8 ptssince 2000
from 41.0% in 2000
71.8% rent
Afford Score
2.7
−7%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic24.4%(1,290)
Black58.5%(3,098)
Hispanic / Latino11.7%(618)
Asian0.5%(29)
Other3.6%(191)
Diversity Score71.5%(3,789)
Diversity Score
72
+8%since 2000
from 66 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
78.0%
+10.2 ptssince 2000
from 67.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 1.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.2 min
+64%since 2000
from 16.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
70.4%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 67.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
30.4%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 24.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.1%
−18.2 ptssince 2011
from 30.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
50.9%
−7.5 ptssince 2011
from 58.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
22.0%
−39.3 ptssince 2009
from 61.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.5%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 42.4% in 2009
Female
56.5%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.6% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.2%
−84.0 ptssince 2013
from 89.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

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Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Pennsville
Income$76,032+244%
Home value$207,600+252%
Population12,233+127%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Carneys Point
Income$77,273+249%
Home value$193,300+228%
Population8,050+49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Wilmington Manor
Income$78,078+253%
Home value$240,600+308%
Population8,214+52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Bear
Income$91,687+314%
Home value$304,800+417%
Population22,370+315%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, New Jersey?

Salem, New Jersey has about 5,296 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Salem, New Jersey earns about $22,125 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 $58,900, and the typical rent is about $824 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, New Jersey?

About 7.7% 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 44.1% 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 1,587 residents, a change of about -23 percent over that period.

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

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