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Salem, NY

New York · Metropolitan Area

Salem is a small town in New York with a population of 914. Residents earn $76,993 per year, which is 2% above the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
914 Population 312/sq mi density
$76,993 Median Income $44,686 per capita
$160,900 Home Value $220,353 Zillow
$893 Median Rent 30.4% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 246 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$76,993 median income, 10.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$160,900 home value, $893/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $76,993
2% higher than US avg
Home Value $160,900
43% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.2%
28% lower than US avg
Median Rent $893
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.8%
4% lower than US avg
Unemployment 10.6%
194% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.0%
68% lower than US avg

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

People

Population914
Median Age43.5 yrs
Density312/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 85%
Veterans6.9%

Economy

B
Median Income$76,993
Per Capita$44,686
Unemployment10.6%
Poverty4.0%
County GDP$2,641M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$160,900
Rent$893
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$220,353
Housing Units465
Rent Burden30.4%

Health

Obesity30.8%
Uninsured5.6%
Smoking13.7%
Depression22.2%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI36 (Good)
Rain46.9 in/yr
Sunny Days246/yr
Elevation484 ft (148 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.2%
High School+97.9%
Graduate+16.7%
School Score5.39

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 39%
Commute26 min
Broadband88.7%
Libraries9

Is Salem a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Salem receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. 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 $76,993, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 10.6%, unemployment is notably high. Only 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Salem is $160,900, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $893 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Salem experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 46.9 inches, including 75.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Salem has a population of 914 with a density of 312 people per square mile. The median age is 43.5 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.3%), with 3.6% Black.

Population

914
Total Population
312
People / sq mi
43.5yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
2.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47%
Female 53%

Race & Ethnicity

Salem vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.1%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.9%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Salem vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Salem is $76,993, which is 2% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Salem vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$76,993
2% above US avg
Per Capita Income$44,686
Avg Weekly Wage$1,195
IRS Avg AGI$61,845

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.6%
194% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.0%
68% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,294
County GDP$2,641M

Business (County)

Restaurants105
Healthcare100
Retail181
Manufacturing87

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,973
99% above US avg
Cost of Living107.90 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate4.33%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.0 min
Drive Alone87.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Salem is $160,900, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $893 (23% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $220,353.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$160,900
43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$220,353
Median List Price$114,750

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$114,750
$/Sq Ft$65
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops75.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$893
23% below US avg
Rent Burden30.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,215
1 Bedroom$1,315
2 Bedrooms$1,579
3 Bedrooms$1,976
4 Bedrooms$2,193

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.7%
Housing Units465
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,973
99% above US avg
Effective Rate4.33%
In Salem, 30.8% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 5.6% of residents lack health insurance. 13.7% are current smokers. 22.2% report depression. 22.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.8%
4% below US avg
Diabetes8.3%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure29.4%
Asthma11.3%
COPD6.1%
Cancer7.8%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking13.7%
2% below US avg
Binge Drinking19.3%
Physical Inactivity22.9%
Depression22.2%
Mental Distress17.8%
Physical Distress12.6%
Short Sleep33.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.1%
Uninsured5.6%
35% below US avg
Checkup Rate79.2%
Dental Visits65.6%
Premature Death8,493/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access70.7%
Healthcare Facilities100
Salem has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.9 inches. The area enjoys 246 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average45.6°F
16% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days246 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.9 inches
23% above US avg
Snowfall75.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation484 ft (148 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.6 km²)
Population Density312/sq mi
Coordinates43.1727°N, 73.3266°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS36115
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 21.2-point margin. 88.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 60.6%
D 39.4%

Winner: Republican by 21.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.2%
28% below US avg
High School+97.9%
Graduate Degree+16.7%
School Test Score5.39
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density312/sq mi
Total Area2.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.7%
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities100
Restaurants105
Retail Stores181

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.0 min
Drive Alone87.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home11.1%

Nearby Cities

Cambridge, NY 2,341 pop · 10.4 mi Greenwich, NY 1,606 pop · 10.4 mi Arlington, VT 1,871 pop · 11.4 mi Schuylerville, NY 1,706 pop · 13.8 mi Fort Edward, NY 3,160 pop · 14.5 mi Manchester Center, VT 1,935 pop · 14.7 mi Hudson Falls, NY 7,401 pop · 15.7 mi Granville, NY 2,270 pop · 16.9 mi South Glens Falls, NY 3,739 pop · 17.6 mi North Bennington, VT 1,342 pop · 17.9 mi Glens Falls, NY 14,678 pop · 18.7 mi Hoosick Falls, NY 3,189 pop · 18.8 mi West Glens Falls, NY 9,967 pop · 20.7 mi Glens Falls North, NY 9,148 pop · 21.2 mi
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