CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Salem

Virginia · 25,346 residents · 14.515 sq mi
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The short version

Salem has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $63,411. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $200,000.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.6
US median: 38.8
Average education
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
25,346
+2%since 2000
from 24,747 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,746 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 1,705 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.6
+6%since 2000
from 39.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
24K24K25K25K26K1990201020202024Salem
202426K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,411
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,997 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,039
+69%since 2000
from $20,091 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
42.1%
+13.4 ptssince 2009
from 28.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade11.7%
US avg: 10%
Information11%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing4.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$200,000
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $99,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$926
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $550 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
65.1%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 67.6% in 2000
34.9% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+24%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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic81.6%(20,673)
Black7.5%(1,913)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(1,088)
Asian2.1%(534)
Other3.6%(923)
Diversity Score39.2%(9,943)
Segregation Score31.4%(7,950)
Diversity Score
39
+117%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
31
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.3%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.8%
+8.9 ptssince 2000
from 82.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.4%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.8 min
+78%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 81.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.1%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 6.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.5%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 61.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
38.6%
−28.0 ptssince 2009
from 66.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
Female
52.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
Foreign born
4.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.0%
−83.3 ptssince 2013
from 89.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Salem

Del Norte County
Pop 26,410
Montezuma County
Pop 26,678
Union County
Pop 27,859
Glenn County
Pop 28,141
Places similar to Salem
Head to head

Compare Salem to nearby counties

SALEM VS
Roanoke
Income$55,378−13%
Home value$190,500−5%
Population99,111+284%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Roanoke County
Income$83,709+32%
Home value$286,000+43%
Population97,150+276%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Craig County
Income$69,057+9%
Home value$189,000−5%
Population4,800−81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SALEM VS
Montgomery County
Income$72,715+15%
Home value$304,600+52%
Population98,434+281%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Salem, Virginia?

Salem, Virginia has about 25,346 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Salem, Virginia?

The typical household in Salem, Virginia earns about $63,411 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 $200,000, and the typical rent is about $926 a month.

How educated are people in Salem, Virginia?

About 30.3% 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 8.7% 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 1,590 residents, a change of about 7 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 102Census Tract 101Census Tract 105.02Census Tract 103Census Tract 105.01
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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