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CITY

West Salem

Wisconsin · 5,288 residents (2025 est.) · 3.349 sq mi
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The short version

West Salem is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $97,019. Population has grown 17% since 2000. 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $277,100. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 25% more than the Wisconsin median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
46% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 65%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,330
+17%since 2000
from 4,540 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,592 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 1,356 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.6
+19%since 2000
from 34.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,288 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K4K4K5K6K1990201020202024West Salem
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$97,019
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $43,449 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,822
+100%since 2000
from $19,904 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
62.4%
+34.6 ptssince 2009
from 27.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.6%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.361
+4%since 2010
from 0.347 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade11.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Information7%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade3.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance3.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$277,100
+65%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $92,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,283
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $500 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
77.7%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 75.1% in 2000
22.3% rent
Vacancy rate
5.6%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.0%
−14.8 ptssince 2009
from 26.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
28.8%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 35.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.9
+34%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
87
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Salem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.6%(4,429)
Black0.5%(23)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(27)
Asian0.4%(20)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.8%(175)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.9%(4,634)
Black0.1%(4)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(152)
Asian5%(268)
Other5.1%(272)
Diversity Score29.8%(1,587)
Diversity Score
30
+673%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
46.0%
+24.1 ptssince 2000
from 21.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.4%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 88.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
15.1%
+9.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.2 min
+65%since 2000
from 12.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.5%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 87.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.7%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.7%
+9.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% 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
4.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2011
from 2.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
68.5%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 71.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.7%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
53.1%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 63.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.2%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.3%
−38.8 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2012
from 9.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.9%
−95.7 ptssince 2013
from 97.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.8%
+9.6 ptssince 2017
from 85.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.2%
−4.9 ptssince 2016
from 97.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 2.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare West Salem to nearby cities

WEST SALEM VS
Onalaska
Income$85,867−11%
Home value$288,900+4%
Population20,297+284%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST SALEM VS
La Crosse
Income$55,866−42%
Home value$210,100−24%
Population50,784+860%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST SALEM VS
Holmen
Income$79,899−18%
Home value$285,900+3%
Population12,105+129%
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WEST SALEM VS
Sparta
Income$64,973−33%
Home value$180,600−35%
Population9,974+89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Salem, Wisconsin?

West Salem, Wisconsin has about 5,330 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in West Salem, Wisconsin?

The typical household in West Salem, Wisconsin earns about $97,019 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Salem, Wisconsin expensive?

In West Salem, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $277,100, and the typical rent is about $1,283 a month.

How educated are people in West Salem, Wisconsin?

About 46.0% of adults age 25 and over in West Salem, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Salem, Wisconsin?

About 8.6% of people in West Salem, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Salem, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, West Salem, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,719 residents, a change of about 48 percent over that period.

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

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