Salem, NE

Nebraska

Salem is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 84. Residents earn $46,563 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
84 Population 135/sq mi density
$46,563 Median Income $35,573 per capita
$45,900 Home Value
53°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$46,563 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$45,900 home value
F
Education
1.2 / 5.0
2.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,563
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $45,900
84% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 2.6%
92% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.4%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.8%
19% higher than US avg

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

People

Population84
Median Age63.5 yrs
Density135/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans76.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$46,563
Per Capita$35,573
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty14.8%
County GDP$499M
Commute65 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$45,900
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Health

Obesity40.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.7%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F (12°C)
AQI32 (Good)
Rain34.7 in/yr
Elevation1,064 ft (324 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+2.6%
High School+82.9%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute65 min
Broadband44.0%
Libraries4

Is Salem a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Salem receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times, 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 $46,563, 38% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 14.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 65 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Salem is $45,900, 84% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

2.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Salem has a population of 84 with a density of 135 people per square mile. The median age is 63.5 years, 63% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

84
Total Population
135
People / sq mi
63.5yrs
Median Age
63% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.4%
Female 47.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Salem vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Salem vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Salem is $46,563, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 65 minutes.

Income: Salem vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,563
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,573
Avg Weekly Wage$831
IRS Avg AGI$67,104

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.8%
19% above US avg
Establishments (County)298
County GDP$499M

Business (County)

Restaurants19
Healthcare20
Retail34
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,629
25% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.73%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time65.0 min
Drive Alone55.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Salem is $45,900, 84% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$45,900
84% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$706
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,274
4 Bedrooms$1,409

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,629
25% below US avg
Effective Rate5.73%
In Salem, 40.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 17.7% report depression. 25.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.4%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure29.5%
Asthma8.4%
COPD5.9%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.7%
Physical Inactivity25.6%
Depression17.7%
Mental Distress14.4%
Physical Distress11.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate77.3%
Checkup Rate64.3%
Premature Death6,372/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access37.9%
Healthcare Facilities20
Salem has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average53.1°F
2% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.7 inches
9% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,064 ft (324 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density135/sq mi
Coordinates40.0769°N, 95.7285°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS31147
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 2.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (92% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.5-point margin. 44.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.1%
D 23.7%

Winner: Republican by 51.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+2.6%
92% below US avg
High School+82.9%
School Test Score5.81
F Education Grade (1.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density135/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access44.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities20
Restaurants19
Retail Stores34

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute65.0 min
Drive Alone55.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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