At a Glance
Median Income
$56,103
$15,012 per capita
Home Value
$55,300
Zillow: $174,124
Bachelor's Degree+
0.0%
44.7% high school+
Unemployment
13.0%
43.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
43.2%
18.2% 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
3.2 / 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 $56,103 , which is 25% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $15,012. The unemployment rate stands at 13.0% (261% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 43.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 561 business establishments, including 62 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Salem is $55,300 , 80% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $174,124. The cost of living index is 92.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1985.
Education
0.0% of adults in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(100% below the national average).
44.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 3.6/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Salem has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C).
Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 10.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 17.
Data Overview
People
Population834
Median Age35.4 yrs
Density637/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Foreign Born52.9%
Veterans2.9%
Economy
D
Median Income$56,103
Per Capita$15,012
Unemployment13.0%
Poverty43.3%
County GDP$1,242M
Avg Weekly Wage$938
Housing
A+
Home Value$55,300
Rent
Ownership78.3%
Zillow$174,124
Housing Units252
Rent Burden29.3%
Health
Obesity43.2%
Diabetes18.6%
Smoking18.2%
Heart Disease7.7%
Premature Death13,152/100K
Climate
Avg Temp63°F
Rain10.6 in/yr
AQI17 (Good)
Elevation4,156 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+0.0%
High School+44.7%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score3.6/10
Community
2024 VoteR 58% / D 39%
Commute30 min
Broadband86.0%
Internet Speed17 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries2
Did You Know?
The median home in Salem was built in 1985.
The nearest airport is Las Cruces International (34 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.451 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
5.2% of the population has a disability.
52.9% of residents are foreign-born.
The county recorded 11 fatal vehicle crashes.