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Salem, NC
Full City Profile · North Carolina · Burke County County
3.1
/5.0
B
Good
2,035
Population
474/sq mi density
$66,653
Median Income
$28,115 per capita
$159,300
Home Value
$253,317 Zillow
$772
Median Rent
15.6% income on rent
58°F
Avg Temperature
301 sunny days/yr
256
Violent Crime/100K
3,842 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$66,653 median income, 4.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$159,300 home value, $772/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
256 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
20.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Salem enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 301 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 51.5 inches. The area receives 4.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 57.9°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,219 ft (372 m) |
| Area | 4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 474/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.6997°N, 81.7003°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Burke County County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 10 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 70.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 67.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 30.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 4.0 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.6 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 in | Driest |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and December the driest (3.7").