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CITY · 2010 ACS

Salem

Virginia · 24,802 residents · 14.515 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $48,828. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $165,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 40.5
US median: 37.2
Average education
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,802
Unchangedsince 2000
from 24,747 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,709 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 1,705 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
40.5
+3%since 2000
from 39.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
24K24K25K25K26K1990201020202024Salem
202426K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,828
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,997 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,081
+35%since 2000
from $20,091 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
29.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 28.7% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
8.8%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.440
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information15.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade10.8%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services9.6%
US avg: 7%
Public administration8%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade3.8%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance3.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$165,700
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $99,200 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$710
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $550 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
42.9%
−24.7 ptssince 2000
from 67.6% in 2000
34.1% rent
Vacancy rate
8.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
23.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 23.4% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.7%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 38.5% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.4
+33%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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%
Diversity Score18.1%(4,479)
2010
White, non-Hispanic87.3%(21,653)
Black7%(1,732)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(601)
Asian1.6%(398)
Other1.8%(453)
Diversity Score29.2%(7,252)
Diversity Score
29
+62%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.1%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
87.5%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 82.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
11.1%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.9 min
+70%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
81.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 81.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
7.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
4.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
6.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
33.8%
−32.8 ptssince 2009
from 66.6% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
Female
52.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
Foreign born
4.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.5%
−34.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

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Pop 25,483
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Pop 24,888
Bellview
Pop 26,488
Temple Terrace
Pop 27,075
Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby cities

SALEM VS
Cave Spring
Income$87,539+79%
Home value$325,800+97%
Population25,742same
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Roanoke
Income$55,378+13%
Home value$190,500+15%
Population99,111+284%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Hollins
Income$77,456+59%
Home value$244,300+47%
Population17,097−34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Blacksburg
Income$50,182+3%
Home value$446,300+169%
Population45,104+75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Virginia?

Salem, Virginia has about 24,802 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, Virginia?

The typical household in Salem, Virginia earns about $48,828 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 $165,700, and the typical rent is about $710 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Virginia?

About 29.1% 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 8.8% of people in Salem, Virginia live below the federal poverty line.

Has Salem, Virginia grown since 1990?

Yes, Salem, Virginia has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,046 residents, a change of about 4 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 →