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CITY · 2020 ACS

Salem

South Dakota · 1,325 residents · 1.25 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $57,039. Population has declined 3% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $107,900. Poverty is rare here, at 5.9% of residents.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% 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
1,325
−3%since 2000
from 1,371 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,060 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 1,097 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.4
+2%since 2000
from 42.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K1K2K1990201020202024Salem
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,039
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,500 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,101
+43%since 2000
from $19,596 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
34.6%
+16.5 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.9%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade9.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade8.9%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Other services7%
US avg: 6.6%
Construction6.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration6.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance0.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$107,900
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$836
+53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $364 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
72.3%
−3.7 ptssince 2000
from 76.0% in 2000
27.7% rent
Afford Score
1.9
+9%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.2%(1,209)
Black0.2%(3)
Hispanic / Latino4.6%(61)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other4.1%(55)
Diversity Score21.1%(279)
Diversity Score
21
+859%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.4%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 82.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.1 min
+22%since 2000
from 16.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 78.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
0.0%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2011
from 2.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
65.5%
+1.3 ptssince 2011
from 64.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
22.6%
−45.5 ptssince 2009
from 68.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.1%
+9.3 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
Female
45.9%
−9.3 ptssince 2009
from 55.2% in 2009
Foreign born
1.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.1%
−84.3 ptssince 2013
from 93.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Mitchell
Income$58,620+3%
Home value$192,200+78%
Population15,756+1061%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Tea
Income$120,139+111%
Home value$351,100+225%
Population8,019+491%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Sioux Falls
Income$75,970+33%
Home value$292,400+171%
Population213,748+15652%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Harrisburg
Income$108,724+91%
Home value$312,200+189%
Population10,405+667%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, South Dakota?

Salem, South Dakota has about 1,325 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Salem, South Dakota earns about $57,039 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 $107,900, and the typical rent is about $836 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, South Dakota?

About 18.6% 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 5.9% of people in Salem, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 24 residents, a change of about 2 percent over that period.

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

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