Salem, VA

Full City Profile · Virginia · Salem city County

3.3 /5.0
B Good
25,477 Population 1,755/sq mi density
$66,716 Median Income $38,127 per capita
$244,800 Home Value $310,395 Zillow
$1,046 Median Rent 29.6% income on rent
58°F Avg Temperature
42 Violent Crime/100K 1,657 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$66,716 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$244,800 home value, $1,046/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
42 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.1% bachelor's degree or higher

Salem, VA

At a Glance

Median Income
$66,716
11% below
$38,127 per capita
Home Value
$244,800
13% below
Zillow: $310,395
Median Rent
$1,046/mo
10% below
29.6% of income on rent
Violent Crime
42/100K
89% below
1,657/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
31.1%
8% below
94.2% high school+
Unemployment
3.4%
6% below
7.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
36.1%
12% above
14.1% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
58°F

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)

Income
89%
Home Value
87%
Rent
90%
Poverty
59%
Bachelor's
92%
Unemployment
94%
Crime
11%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Salem a Good Place to Live?

B
3.3 / 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 $66,716 , which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $38,127. The unemployment rate stands at 3.4% (6% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 7.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,123 business establishments, including 91 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Salem is $244,800 , 13% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $310,395. Median rent is $1,046/month, with 29.6% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 101.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1970.

Safety & Crime

Salem reports 42 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 89% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 1,657/100K. The murder rate is 8.4/100K.

Education

31.1% of adults in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher (8% below the national average). 94.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.4/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Salem has an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.8 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population25,477
Median Age40.3 yrs
Density1,755/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born4.3%
Veterans7.2%

Economy

A
Median Income$66,716
Per Capita$38,127
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty7.3%
Avg Weekly Wage$1,219

Housing

A+
Home Value$244,800
Rent$1,046
Ownership63.5%
Zillow$310,395
Housing Units11,096
Rent Burden29.6%

Crime

F
Violent42/100K
Property1,657/100K
Murder8.4/100K
Assault17/100K
Burglary89/100K

Health

Obesity36.1%
Diabetes10.3%
Smoking14.1%
Heart Disease5.4%
Premature Death10,541/100K

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
Rain42.8 in/yr
Elevation1,024 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+31.1%
High School+94.2%
Graduate+13.3%
School Score6.4/10

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute19 min
Broadband89.6%
Internet Speed115 Mbps
EV Stations9
Libraries1

Did You Know?

Salem was founded in 1802.
The median home in Salem was built in 1970.
The nearest airport is Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (5 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.458 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
12.4% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 115 Mbps.