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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Salem

Virginia · 23,756 residents · 14.515 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $29,047. Population has declined 4% since 2000. Median home value is $69,100. Poverty is rare here, at 5.2% of residents.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 36.8
US median: 33.0
Average education
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 8%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,756
−4%vs 2000
vs 24,747 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Median age
36.8
−6%vs 2000
vs 39.2 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
24K24K25K25K26K1990201020202024Salem
202426K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 1990
Under 55.1%(1,217)
US avg: 7.3%
5 to 95.7%(1,353)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 145.7%(1,346)
US avg: 6.9%
15 to 197.5%(1,787)
US avg: 7.1%
20 to 247.9%(1,879)
US avg: 7.5%
25 to 3415%(3,563)
US avg: 17.5%
35 to 4415.4%(3,652)
US avg: 15.1%
45 to 5410.5%(2,497)
US avg: 10.2%
55 to 6410.8%(2,567)
US avg: 8.5%
65 to 749.6%(2,292)
US avg: 7.3%
75 to 845%(1,199)
US avg: 4%
85 and over1.7%(404)
US avg: 1.2%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$29,047
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $38,997 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$14,467
−28%vs 2000
vs $20,091 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
5.2%
−1.6 ptsvs 2000
vs 6.7% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$69,100
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $99,200 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$404
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $550 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
67.4%
−0.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 67.6% in 2000
32.6% rent
RELATED:See current rent listings in Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.3%(22,594)
Black5.8%(1,444)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(205)
Asian1%(241)
Other0%
1990
White, non-Hispanic94.2%(22,389)
Black4.4%(1,034)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(81)
Asian1.1%(270)
Other0.3%(63)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Mexican1.7%(447)
Honduran0.7%(183)
Puerto Rican0.5%(117)
Spaniard0.4%(106)
Cuban0.2%(46)
Ecuadorian0.2%(41)
Salvadoran0.1%(32)
Colombian0.1%(26)
+ 1 more hispanic origin group with data
Asian origin
Filipino0.9%(229)
Chinese0.6%(162)
Vietnamese0.1%(28)
Korean0.1%(22)
Asian Indian0.1%(14)
Ancestry
English15.9%(4,074)
American10.9%(2,792)
German10.3%(2,651)
Irish8.8%(2,244)
Scotch-Irish2.9%(735)
Scottish2.4%(622)
Italian2.1%(530)
French1.6%(415)
Polish1.2%(313)
Norwegian0.5%(130)
Swedish0.4%(103)
+ 28 more ancestry groups with data
Greek0.4%(93)
British0.3%(88)
Swiss0.3%(87)
Welsh0.3%(69)
Dutch0.2%(50)
Arab0.2%(44)
Canadian0.1%(35)
Hungarian0.1%(32)
Czech0.1%(31)
Romanian0.1%(28)
Lithuanian0.1%(22)
Lebanese0.1%(20)
Danish0.1%(20)
Austrian0.1%(19)
Latvian0.1%(18)
Slovak0.1%(16)
Egyptian0.1%(13)
Croatian0.1%(13)
Russian0.1%(13)
Haitian0%(11)
Nigerian0%(10)
Finnish0%(6)
RANKED:Largest English population · Largest American population · Largest German population · Largest Irish population · Largest Scotch-Irish population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.8%
−2.0 ptsvs 2000
vs 19.8% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
76.1%
−5.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 82.0% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
6.7%
Unchangedvs 2000
vs 6.7% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.1 min
+43%vs 2000
vs 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married39.6%(4,037)
Married45.6%(4,644)
Widowed3.8%(383)
Divorced11%(1,121)
Women 15+
Never married33.2%(3,790)
Married44.5%(5,083)
Widowed8.5%(970)
Divorced13.8%(1,571)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Cave Spring
Income$87,539+201%
Home value$325,800+371%
Population25,742same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Roanoke
Income$55,378+91%
Home value$190,500+176%
Population99,111+284%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Hollins
Income$77,456+167%
Home value$244,300+254%
Population17,097−34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Blacksburg
Income$50,182+73%
Home value$446,300+546%
Population45,104+75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Virginia?

Salem, Virginia has about 23,756 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Salem, Virginia?

The typical household in Salem, Virginia earns about $29,047 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Salem, Virginia expensive?

In Salem, Virginia, the median home is worth about $69,100, and the typical rent is about $404 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Virginia?

About 17.8% of adults age 25 and over in Salem, Virginia hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Salem, Virginia?

About 5.2% of people in Salem, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →