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CITY

Salem

South Dakota · 1,357 residents (2025 est.) · 1.25 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $74,881. Population has declined 11% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $166,700. Poverty is rare here, at 5.6% of residents.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 53%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,216
−11%since 2000
from 1,371 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
973 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 1,097 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.6
−7%since 2000
from 42.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,357 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K2K1990201020202024Salem
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$74,881
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,486
+86%since 2000
from $19,596 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
49.6%
+31.5 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.6%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.348
−21%since 2010
from 0.438 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade14.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services9.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction7.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Information7.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade6.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food3.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$166,700
+53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$965
+46%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $364 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
68.0%
−8.1 ptssince 2000
from 76.0% in 2000
32.0% rent
Vacancy rate
17.4%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.1%
−7.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.4%
+26.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.2
+28%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
75
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.2%(1,346)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(7)
Asian0.3%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.2%(30)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.9%(1,069)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino6.4%(78)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.7%(69)
Diversity Score27.5%(334)
Diversity Score
27
+1152%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.6%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.4%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 82.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.0%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.9 min
+40%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.7%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.1%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.0%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.7%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.8%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 2.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2011
from 64.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.9%
−39.1 ptssince 2009
from 68.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.5%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
Female
47.5%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 55.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.7%
−38.1 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2012
from 13.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.7%
−80.7 ptssince 2013
from 93.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.1%
+15.4 ptssince 2017
from 76.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2016
from 97.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.2%
−2.3 ptssince 2016
from 2.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Mitchell
Income$58,620−22%
Home value$192,200+15%
Population15,756+1061%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Tea
Income$120,139+60%
Home value$351,100+111%
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SALEM VS
Sioux Falls
Income$75,970+1%
Home value$292,400+75%
Population213,748+15652%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Harrisburg
Income$108,724+45%
Home value$312,200+87%
Population10,405+667%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, South Dakota?

Salem, South Dakota has about 1,216 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Salem, South Dakota earns about $74,881 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, South Dakota expensive?

In Salem, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $166,700, and the typical rent is about $965 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, South Dakota?

About 26.6% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, South Dakota?

About 5.6% of people in Salem, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, South Dakota has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 85 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →