At a Glance
Median Income
$51,786
$25,661 per capita
Home Value
$136,800
Zillow: $211,198
Median Rent
$736/mo
32.6% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
14.5%
86.5% high school+
Unemployment
4.7%
12.2% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
43.1%
22.7% 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?
B+
3.5 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Salem residents earn a median household income of $51,786 , which is 31% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $25,661. The unemployment rate stands at 4.7% (31% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 488 business establishments, including 33 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Salem is $136,800 , 51% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $211,198. Median rent is $736/month, with 32.6% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 93.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1966.
Education
14.5% of adults in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(57% below the national average).
86.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.8/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Salem has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C).
Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.9 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population6,484
Median Age40.9 yrs
Density1,536/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born0.9%
Veterans8.9%
Economy
B
Median Income$51,786
Per Capita$25,661
Unemployment4.7%
Poverty12.2%
County GDP$1,000M
Avg Weekly Wage$846
Housing
A+
Home Value$136,800
Rent$736
Ownership74.1%
Zillow$211,198
Housing Units2,693
Rent Burden32.6%
Health
Obesity43.1%
Diabetes13.4%
Smoking22.7%
Heart Disease7.2%
Premature Death13,005/100K
Climate
Avg Temp55°F
Rain46.9 in/yr
Elevation750 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+14.5%
High School+86.5%
Graduate+4.1%
School Score5.8/10
Community
2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute27 min
Broadband84.6%
Internet Speed105 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries1
Did You Know?
Salem was founded in 1814.
The median home in Salem was built in 1966.
The nearest airport is Louisville Muhammad Ali International (36 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.409 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
20.8% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 105 Mbps.
The county recorded 9 fatal vehicle crashes.