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CITY · 2020 ACS

West Salem

Wisconsin · 5,277 residents · 3.349 sq mi
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The short version

West Salem has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $66,027. Population has grown 16% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $190,400. Poverty is rare here, at 6.1% of residents.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.5
US median: 38.8
More educated
40% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 37%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,277
+16%since 2000
from 4,540 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,576 / sq mi
+16%since 2000
from 1,356 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.5
+19%since 2000
from 34.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K4K4K5K6K1990201020202024West Salem
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$66,027
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $43,449 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,796
+65%since 2000
from $19,904 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
43.6%
+15.7 ptssince 2009
from 27.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
6.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade14.4%
US avg: 10%
Information10.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services5.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance5.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration5.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$190,400
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $92,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$892
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $500 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.8%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 75.1% in 2000
30.2% rent
Afford Score
2.9
+36%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.5%(4,828)
Black0.5%(27)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(134)
Asian1.3%(71)
Other1.4%(73)
Diversity Score14.3%(753)
Diversity Score
14
+271%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
40.4%
+18.5 ptssince 2000
from 21.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.2%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 88.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.3%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.8 min
+61%since 2000
from 12.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 87.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2011
from 2.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.4%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 71.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
49.8%
−13.5 ptssince 2009
from 63.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
48.3%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.0%
−94.6 ptssince 2013
from 97.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare West Salem to nearby cities

WEST SALEM VS
Onalaska
Income$85,867+30%
Home value$288,900+52%
Population20,297+284%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST SALEM VS
La Crosse
Income$55,866−15%
Home value$210,100+10%
Population50,784+860%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST SALEM VS
Holmen
Income$79,899+21%
Home value$285,900+50%
Population12,105+129%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST SALEM VS
Sparta
Income$64,973−2%
Home value$180,600−5%
Population9,974+89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Salem, Wisconsin?

West Salem, Wisconsin has about 5,277 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in West Salem, Wisconsin earns about $66,027 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 $190,400, and the typical rent is about $892 a month.

How educated are people in West Salem, Wisconsin?

About 40.4% 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 6.1% 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 1,666 residents, a change of about 46 percent over that period.

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

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