Home Value
$118,800
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
21.5%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$667
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment
5.8%
61% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate
8.7%
30% lower than US avg
How New Salem Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population131
Median Age23.5 yrs
Density125/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans5.8%
Economy
Per Capita$26,771
Unemployment5.8%
Poverty8.7%
County GDP$825M
Commute22 min
Housing
Home Value$118,800
Rent$667
Ownership60.0%
Zillow$111,575
Housing Units85
Rent Burden51.0%
Health
Obesity42.2%
Uninsured1.5%
Smoking19.7%
Depression26.6%
Heart Disease6.4%
Climate
Avg Temp54°F (12°C)
Rain40.5 in/yr
Elevation787 ft (240 m)
Education
C+
Bachelor's+21.5%
High School+92.3%
Graduate+0.7%
School Score4.78
Community
2024 VoteR 81% / D 17%
Commute22 min
Broadband48.9%
EV Stations1
Libraries3
Is New Salem a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, New Salem receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, high obesity rates. New Salem has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
Economy & Jobs
The unemployment rate of 5.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 8.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in New Salem is $118,800, 58% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $667 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability.
Education
21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.
Climate & Weather
New Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.5 inches, including 15.6 inches of snow.
New Salem has a population of 131 with a density of 125 people per square mile, spread across 1.1 square miles. The median age is 23.5 years, 40% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 51.1% female and 48.9% male. The city is predominantly White (94.7%). English is the primary language spoken at home by 100% of residents. 5.8% of the population are veterans. 13.7% of residents have a disability. 98.5% have health insurance coverage.
Population
131
Total Population
2023 Census
23.5yrs
Median Age
40% below US avg
Race & Ethnicity
New Salem vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
English Only
100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish
0.0%
100% below US avg
Social Characteristics
New Salem vs U.S. Average
Per capita income is $26,771 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $906, 37% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 5.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 411 business establishments, including 32 restaurants. The cost of living index is 100, roughly in line with the national average. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 18.4% of workers work from home (above the 15.2% national rate).
Income: New Salem vs U.S.
Income
| |
| Per Capita Income | $26,771 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $906 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $61,901 |
| Gini Index | 0.428 (0=equal, 1=unequal) |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 5.8% |
| 61% above US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% |
| 30% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 411 |
| County GDP | $825M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 32 |
| Healthcare | 27 |
| Retail | 47 |
| Manufacturing | 11 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $4,031 |
| 15% above US avg |
| Cost of Living | 100.00 (100=avg) |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.39% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 22.0 min |
| Drive Alone | 67.3% |
| Public Transit | 10.2% |
| Work from Home | 18.4% |
The median home value in New Salem is $118,800, 58% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $111,575. Monthly rent averages $667 (43% below the national average of $1,163). Fair market rent ranges from $854 for a one-bedroom to $1,063 for a two-bedroom apartment. 60.0% of housing units are owner-occupied. There are 85 total housing units in the city. The median year a home was built is 1938. The average annual property tax is $4,031. 51.0% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing, indicating a significant affordability challenge for renters.
Home Values
| Census Median | $118,800 |
| 58% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $111,575 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $667 |
| 43% below US avg |
| Rent Burden | 51.0% |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $774 |
| 1 Bedroom | $854 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,063 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,370 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,561 |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 60.0% |
| Owner-Occupied | 60.0% |
| Renter-Occupied | 40.0% |
| Housing Units | 85 |
| Median Year Built | 1938 |
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $4,031 |
| 15% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 3.39% |
In New Salem, 42.2% of adults are obese, above the national rate of 32.1%. 11.0% have diabetes. Heart disease affects 6.4% of residents. 33.8% have high blood pressure. 19.7% are current smokers (above the 14.0% national rate). 19.3% report binge drinking. 27.4% are physically inactive. 26.6% report depression (above the 20.0% national average). 21.2% experience frequent mental distress. 1.5% of residents lack health insurance (below the 8.6% national rate). The primary care physician ratio is 1:1,624. The dentist ratio is 1:1,609. 43.9% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The food environment index is 7.4 out of 10.
Health Metrics: New Salem vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 42.2% |
| 31% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 11.0% |
| Heart Disease | 6.4% |
| High Blood Pressure | 33.8% |
| Asthma | 11.5% |
| COPD | 9.1% |
| Cancer | 7.4% |
| Stroke | 3.5% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| Smoking | 19.7% |
| 41% above US avg |
| Binge Drinking | 19.3% |
| Physical Inactivity | 27.4% |
| Depression | 26.6% |
| Mental Distress | 21.2% |
| Physical Distress | 15.3% |
| Short Sleep | 37.7% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 98.5% |
| Uninsured | 1.5% |
| 83% below US avg |
| Primary Care | 1:1,624 |
| Dentists | 1:1,609 |
| Mental Health | 1:956 |
| Checkup Rate | 75.2% |
| Dental Visits | 54.3% |
| Premature Death | 9,047/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.4/10 |
| Exercise Access | 43.9% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 27 |
New Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.5 inches. The area receives 15.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 787 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 53.8°F |
| 0% below US avg |
| January Average | 28°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 787 ft (240 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 125/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.7076°N, 90.8479°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Pike County County |
| Nearest Airport | Quincy Regional-Baldwin Field (UIN)
25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall
40.5"
7% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jun)
5.01"
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 30.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 41.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 54.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado |
Relatively Low |
| Hurricane |
Very Low |
| Earthquake |
Very Low |
| Wildfire |
Very Low |
| Flood |
Very Low |
| Hail |
Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind |
Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave |
Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather |
Relatively Low |
| Lightning |
Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm |
Very Low |
| Drought |
Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave |
Relatively Low |
| Landslide |
Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest: M2.9. Most recent: M2.6 on Sep 19, 2024.
| Feb 8, 2004 |
6 km SSW of Stoutsville, Missouri |
M2.9 |
92 km |
| Apr 29, 2022 |
1 km SSW of Peerless Park, Missouri |
M2.8 |
135 km |
| May 5, 2008 |
3 km SSE of Fenton, Missouri |
M2.8 |
141 km |
| Sep 5, 2015 |
5 km SE of High Ridge, Missouri |
M2.7 |
146 km |
| Sep 19, 2024 |
1 km S of Old Monroe, Missouri |
M2.6 |
88 km |
| Jan 15, 1998 |
1 km SSE of Fenton, Missouri |
M2.5 |
139 km |
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)
Tornado History
452 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 306 injuries.
| Date |
Rating |
Distance |
Fatalities |
| May 13, 1995 |
EF4 |
87 km |
0 |
| Jun 14, 1957 |
EF4 |
98 km |
2 |
| Apr 4, 2023 |
EF3 |
82 km |
0 |
| Apr 19, 2011 |
EF3 |
93 km |
0 |
| Dec 31, 2010 |
EF3 |
90 km |
0 |
| Mar 13, 2006 |
EF3 |
86 km |
0 |
| May 10, 2003 |
EF3 |
76 km |
0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 |
EF3 |
88 km |
0 |
| May 9, 1995 |
EF3 |
97 km |
0 |
| Apr 29, 1984 |
EF3 |
85 km |
0 |
| May 1, 1983 |
EF3 |
67 km |
0 |
| Jun 21, 1981 |
EF3 |
61 km |
1 |
| Jul 26, 1978 |
EF3 |
92 km |
0 |
| Aug 6, 1977 |
EF3 |
97 km |
0 |
| Apr 13, 1974 |
EF3 |
83 km |
0 |
| Sep 30, 1973 |
EF3 |
59 km |
0 |
| Jan 24, 1967 |
EF3 |
71 km |
1 |
| Apr 21, 1964 |
EF3 |
80 km |
0 |
| Apr 22, 1963 |
EF3 |
87 km |
1 |
| May 14, 1961 |
EF3 |
39 km |
0 |
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)
Monthly Weather
| Month |
Avg Temperature |
Precipitation |
Summary |
| January |
28°F (-3°C) |
2.0 in |
Coldest, Driest |
| February |
32°F (0°C) |
2.1 in |
|
| March |
42°F (6°C) |
3.0 in |
|
| April |
54°F (12°C) |
4.1 in |
|
| May |
65°F (18°C) |
4.8 in |
|
| June |
74°F (23°C) |
5.0 in |
Wettest |
| July |
77°F (25°C) |
4.1 in |
Warmest |
| August |
75°F (24°C) |
3.4 in |
|
| September |
67°F (20°C) |
3.6 in |
|
| October |
56°F (13°C) |
3.0 in |
|
| November |
44°F (6°C) |
2.9 in |
|
| December |
33°F (0°C) |
2.3 in |
|
New Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 28°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (2.0").
Average costs for common services in New Salem. Prices are estimated based on regional cost of living data and may vary by provider.
Healthcare
| Doctor Visit (Primary Care) |
$250 ($150-$400) |
| Specialist Visit |
$350 ($200-$550) |
| Urgent Care Visit |
$200 ($100-$350) |
| Emergency Room Visit |
$2,200 ($800-$5,000) |
| Dental Cleaning |
$130 ($75-$200) |
| Dental Filling |
$250 ($150-$400) |
View all 40 services
Auto Repair
| Oil Change (Conventional) |
$45 ($25-$75) |
| Oil Change (Synthetic) |
$75 ($50-$120) |
| Brake Pad Replacement |
$300 ($150-$500) |
| Tire Rotation |
$40 ($20-$75) |
| New Tires (Set of 4) |
$600 ($400-$1,000) |
| Battery Replacement |
$200 ($100-$350) |
View all 18 services
Home Services
| Plumber (Per Hour) |
$100 ($60-$150) |
| Electrician (Per Hour) |
$90 ($50-$140) |
| HVAC Repair |
$400 ($150-$800) |
| HVAC System Install |
$7,000 ($4,000-$12,000) |
| Roof Repair |
$1,000 ($400-$2,000) |
| Roof Replacement |
$9,000 ($5,500-$15,000) |
View all 25 services
Legal
| Divorce (Uncontested) |
$1,500 ($500-$3,500) |
| Divorce (Contested) |
$15,000 ($5,000-$30,000) |
| DUI Defense |
$5,000 ($2,000-$10,000) |
| Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) |
$1,500 ($800-$3,000) |
| Will Preparation |
$500 ($200-$1,000) |
| Trust Preparation |
$2,500 ($1,000-$5,000) |
View all 12 services
Personal Care
| Men's Haircut |
$25 ($15-$45) |
| Women's Haircut |
$55 ($30-$100) |
| Hair Coloring (Full) |
$150 ($75-$250) |
| Manicure |
$25 ($15-$45) |
| Pedicure |
$40 ($25-$65) |
| Massage (1 Hour) |
$80 ($50-$130) |
View all 12 services
Food & Grocery
| Gallon of Milk (per gallon) |
$4.10 ($3.00-$5.50) |
| Dozen Eggs (per dozen) |
$3.50 ($2.50-$5.00) |
| Loaf of Bread |
$3.80 ($2.50-$5.50) |
| Chicken Breast (per lb) |
$4.50 ($3.00-$6.50) |
| Ground Beef (per lb) |
$5.50 ($4.00-$7.50) |
| Rice (per lb) |
$1.00 ($0.60-$1.80) |
View all 20 services
Utilities
| Electricity (Monthly) |
$140 ($80-$250) |
| Natural Gas (Monthly) |
$70 ($30-$150) |
| Water/Sewer (Monthly) |
$70 ($40-$120) |
| Internet (Monthly) |
$70 ($40-$100) |
| Cell Phone Plan (Monthly) |
$65 ($30-$100) |
| Cable TV (Monthly) |
$85 ($50-$150) |
View all 8 services
Transportation
| Monthly Parking (Downtown) |
$200 ($75-$500) |
| Car Insurance (Annual) |
$2,000 ($1,200-$3,500) |
| Bus Pass (Monthly) |
$70 ($30-$130) |
| Taxi/Uber (5-Mile Ride) |
$15 ($8.00-$25) |
| Car Registration (Annual) |
$100 ($30-$250) |
| Driver's License Renewal |
$30 ($15-$75) |
View all 8 services
Education & Childcare
| Daycare (Infant, Monthly) |
$1,200 ($600-$2,500) |
| Daycare (Toddler, Monthly) |
$1,000 ($500-$2,000) |
| After-School Care (Monthly) |
$400 ($200-$700) |
| Tutoring (Per Hour) |
$50 ($25-$100) |
| SAT/ACT Prep Course |
$1,000 ($400-$2,500) |
| Private School (K-12, Annual) |
$12,500 ($5,000-$30,000) |
View all 8 services
Pets
| Vet Visit (Routine Checkup) |
$60 ($30-$100) |
| Dog Vaccination (Annual) |
$100 ($50-$200) |
| Dog Grooming |
$60 ($30-$100) |
| Pet Boarding (Per Night) |
$40 ($20-$75) |
| Dog Spay/Neuter |
$300 ($150-$500) |
| Cat Spay/Neuter |
$200 ($100-$400) |
View all 9 services
Frequently Asked Questions About New Salem
What is the population of New Salem?
New Salem has a population of 131 residents and is located in Illinois. The population density is 125 people per square mile, spread across 1.1 square miles. The median age of residents is 23.5 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 51.1% female and 48.9% male.
Is New Salem expensive to live in?
New Salem has a cost of living roughly in line with the national average, with an index of 100 (baseline: 100). The median home value is $118,800 (58% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $667 per month, below the national average of $1,163.
What is the weather like in New Salem?
New Salem has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winter temperatures average 28°F in January, while summers reach an average of 77°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 40.5 inches, with 15.6 inches of snow.
How is the job market in New Salem?
The unemployment rate in New Salem is 5.8%, somewhat above the national average of 3.6%. Job seekers may face moderate competition. The average weekly wage is $906. There are 411 business establishments in the area, including 32 restaurants and food service locations. The average commute time is 22 minutes, and 18.4% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in New Salem?
The median home value in New Salem is $118,800. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $111,575. For renters, the median monthly rent is $667. Fair market rent is $854 for a 1-bedroom and $1,063 for a 2-bedroom apartment. The homeownership rate is 60.0%. The average annual property tax is $4,031.
How are the schools in New Salem?
Schools in New Salem have an average test score of 4.8 out of 10, below typical national benchmarks. Families may want to research individual school ratings. 21.5% of adults in New Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.3% have completed high school. 0.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.
How healthy is New Salem?
The obesity rate in New Salem is 42.2% (above the national rate of 32.1%). 19.7% of adults are smokers. 27.4% are physically inactive. 26.6% of residents report depression. 1.5% lack health insurance (below the national rate). 43.9% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The primary care physician ratio is 1:1,624.
What is transportation like in New Salem?
The average commute in New Salem is 22 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 67.3% of workers drive alone to work, 10.2% use public transit, and 18.4% work from home.
What are the demographics of New Salem?
The racial and ethnic makeup of New Salem is 94.7% White. 100% of residents speak only English at home. 5.8% of the population are military veterans. 13.7% of residents have a disability. 98.5% have health insurance coverage.