At a Glance
Median Income
$71,655
$35,763 per capita
Home Value
$163,500
Zillow: $254,404
Median Rent
$880/mo
26.3% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
24.8%
92.7% high school+
Unemployment
0.8%
2.2% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
35.7%
14.1% 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?
A
4.1 / 5.0 - Great
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Salem residents earn a median household income of $71,655 , which is 5% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $35,763. The unemployment rate stands at 0.8% (78% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 2.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 246 business establishments, including 18 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Salem is $163,500 , 42% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $254,404. Median rent is $880/month, with 26.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 88.6 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1970.
Education
24.8% of adults in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(26% below the national average).
92.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Salem has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C).
Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.0 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population1,201
Median Age43.7 yrs
Density961/mi²
Male / Female53% / 48%
Foreign Born0.1%
Veterans8.4%
Economy
A
Median Income$71,655
Per Capita$35,763
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty2.2%
County GDP$406M
Avg Weekly Wage$973
Housing
A+
Home Value$163,500
Rent$880
Ownership70.2%
Zillow$254,404
Housing Units568
Rent Burden26.3%
Health
Obesity35.7%
Diabetes8.7%
Smoking14.1%
Heart Disease5.1%
Premature Death6,584/100K
Climate
Avg Temp44°F
Rain27.0 in/yr
Elevation1,521 ft
Education
C+
Bachelor's+24.8%
High School+92.7%
Graduate+4.0%
School Score6.1/10
Community
2024 VoteR 73% / D 24%
Commute20 min
Broadband89.5%
Internet Speed104 Mbps
EV Stations1
Did You Know?
The median home in Salem was built in 1970.
The nearest airport is Mitchell Municipal (33 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.381 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
16.8% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 104 Mbps.
The county recorded 1 fatal vehicle crashes.