At a Glance
Median Income
$57,083
$31,213 per capita
Home Value
$99,800
Zillow: $145,502
Median Rent
$752/mo
23.9% of income on rent
Violent Crime
386/100K
1,231/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
14.8%
92.9% high school+
Unemployment
2.6%
16.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
40.1%
18.3% smoking rate
How Salem Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Salem's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Salem a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Salem residents earn a median household income of $57,083 , which is 24% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $31,213. The unemployment rate stands at 2.6% (28% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 16.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 796 business establishments, including 86 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Salem is $99,800 , 65% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $145,502. Median rent is $752/month, with 23.9% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 100.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1970.
Safety & Crime
Salem reports 386 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 2% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 1,231/100K.
Education
14.8% of adults in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(56% below the national average).
92.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.0/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Salem has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C).
Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.9 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population7,341
Median Age38.2 yrs
Density1,050/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Foreign Born0.3%
Veterans5.6%
Economy
B+
Median Income$57,083
Per Capita$31,213
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty16.3%
County GDP$1,758M
Avg Weekly Wage$947
Housing
A+
Home Value$99,800
Rent$752
Ownership62.8%
Zillow$145,502
Housing Units3,276
Rent Burden23.9%
Crime
F
Violent386/100K
Property1,231/100K
Health
Obesity40.1%
Diabetes10.9%
Smoking18.3%
Heart Disease6.2%
Premature Death12,320/100K
Climate
Avg Temp55°F
Rain45.9 in/yr
Elevation543 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+14.8%
High School+92.9%
Graduate+3.5%
School Score5.0/10
Community
2024 VoteR 74% / D 25%
Commute12 min
Broadband84.1%
Internet Speed131 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries4
Did You Know?
The median home in Salem was built in 1970.
The nearest airport is St Louis Regional (61 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.431 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
18.2% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 131 Mbps.
The county recorded 10 fatal vehicle crashes.