CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Salem

South Carolina · 120 residents · 0.915 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Seneca micropolitan area
Compare
The short version

Salem has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $56,250. Population has declined 5% since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $125,000. With a median age of 53.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 53.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
120
−5%since 2000
from 126 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
131 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 138 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
53.5
+35%since 2000
from 39.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
841181521852191990201020202024Salem
2024177
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,250
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,000 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,171
+28%since 2000
from $14,980 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.0%
+21.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.2%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade28.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade22.7%
US avg: 10%
Information9.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Transportation & warehousing7.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services6.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Education & health services3%
US avg: 0.8%
Professional, scientific, technical1.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$125,000
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$875
+109%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $278 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
76.5%
+11.7 ptssince 2000
from 64.8% in 2000
23.5% rent
Afford Score
2.2
−8%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.2%(120)
Black0.8%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2%(3)
2020
White, non-Hispanic97.5%(117)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score4.1%(5)
Diversity Score
4
+102%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.2%
−6.3 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.0%
+24.7 ptssince 2000
from 61.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
2.8%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.0% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.1 min
+31%since 2000
from 17.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
90.9%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 94.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.3%
−21.8 ptssince 2011
from 26.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
55.2%
−24.6 ptssince 2011
from 79.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 30.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.3%
−10.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Female
57.7%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
14.3%
−45.1 ptssince 2013
from 59.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

Juliette
Pop 128
Camak
Pop 133
Manor
Pop 136
Viola
Pop 145
Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Seneca
Income$52,022−8%
Home value$240,000+92%
Population9,424+7205%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Clemson
Income$49,520−12%
Home value$398,400+219%
Population18,941+14583%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Easley
Income$66,299+18%
Home value$263,500+111%
Population27,319+21078%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Powdersville
Income$84,910+51%
Home value$334,900+168%
Population10,771+8250%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, South Carolina?

Salem, South Carolina has about 120 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Salem, South Carolina earns about $56,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, South Carolina expensive?

In Salem, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $125,000, and the typical rent is about $875 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, South Carolina?

About 11.2% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, South Carolina?

About 19.2% of people in Salem, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 33 residents, a change of about -22 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
South Carolina
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Salem with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →