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Salem, IA

Iowa

Salem is a small town in Iowa with a population of 363. Residents earn $59,583 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
363 Population 576/sq mi density
$59,583 Median Income $26,012 per capita
$75,000 Home Value $201,913 Zillow
$850 Median Rent 33.3% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$59,583 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$75,000 home value, $850/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,583
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $75,000
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.2%
85% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.8%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.5%
40% lower than US avg

How Salem Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population363
Median Age48.2 yrs
Density576/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 80%
Veterans7.4%

Economy

A
Median Income$59,583
Per Capita$26,012
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty7.5%
County GDP$1,154M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$75,000
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$201,913
Housing Units149
Rent Burden33.3%

Health

Obesity38.8%
Uninsured7.3%
Smoking16.5%
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.5 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation712 ft (217 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.2%
High School+91.9%
Graduate+1.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 31%
Commute26 min
Broadband79.2%
Libraries5

Is Salem a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Salem receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Salem offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Salem is $59,583, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. Only 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Salem is $75,000, 73% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.5 inches, including 24.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Salem has a population of 363 with a density of 576 people per square mile. The median age is 48.2 years, 24% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79.6%), with 8% Hispanic, 1.1% Black.

Population

363
Total Population
576
People / sq mi
48.2yrs
Median Age
24% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.9%
Female 55.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Salem vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.7%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.3%
68% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Salem vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Salem is $59,583, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Salem vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,583
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,012
Avg Weekly Wage$1,008
IRS Avg AGI$63,859

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.5%
40% below US avg
Establishments (County)638
County GDP$1,154M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare59
Retail57
Manufacturing28

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,335
24% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.8 min
Drive Alone83.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Salem is $75,000, 73% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $201,913.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$75,000
73% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$201,913

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg
Rent Burden33.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied83.2%
Housing Units149
Median Year Built1947

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,335
24% above US avg
Effective Rate5.78%
In Salem, 38.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.3% of residents lack health insurance. 16.5% are current smokers. 22.2% report depression. 24.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Salem vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.8%
21% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.3%
Asthma10.2%
COPD6.4%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.5%
18% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.4%
Physical Inactivity24.2%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.4%
Short Sleep36.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.1%
Uninsured7.3%
15% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.6%
Dental Visits68.2%
Premature Death6,888/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access78.9%
Healthcare Facilities59
Salem has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.5 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.7°F
8% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.5 inches
1% above US avg
Snowfall24.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation712 ft (217 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density576/sq mi
Coordinates40.8522°N, 91.6207°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19087
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 5.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (85% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 36-point margin. 79.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.3%
D 31.3%

Winner: Republican by 36 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+5.2%
85% below US avg
High School+91.9%
Graduate Degree+1.6%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density576/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access79.2%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities59
Restaurants36
Retail Stores57

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.8 min
Drive Alone83.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.2%

Nearby Cities

Mount Pleasant, IA 9,093 pop · 8.5 mi New London, IA 2,402 pop · 12.5 mi Keosauqua, IA 1,014 pop · 19.5 mi Wayland, IA 1,140 pop · 20.6 mi Fairfield, IA 9,438 pop · 21.0 mi Winfield, IA 1,065 pop · 21.2 mi Fort Madison, IA 10,221 pop · 21.4 mi West Burlington, IA 3,184 pop · 23.4 mi Mediapolis, IA 1,930 pop · 26.2 mi Burlington, IA 23,800 pop · 26.2 mi Kahoka, MO 2,083 pop · 30.3 mi Washington, IA 7,314 pop · 31.0 mi Wapello, IA 1,935 pop · 31.8 mi Columbus Junction, IA 2,129 pop · 32.4 mi
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