At a Glance
Median Income
$66,716
$38,127 per capita
Home Value
$244,800
Zillow: $300,477
Median Rent
$1,046/mo
29.6% of income on rent
Violent Crime
90/100K
2,184/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
31.1%
94.2% high school+
Unemployment
2.1%
7.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
36.1%
14.1% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
51°F
305 sunny days/yr
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
3.3 / 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 2.1% (42% 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 $300,477. 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 90 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 76% below the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,184/100K. The murder rate is 3.9/100K.
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 51°F (11°C).
Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 305 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 49.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.
Data Overview
People
Population25,477
Median Age40.3 yrs
Density1,755/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born13.6%
Veterans7.2%
Economy
A
Median Income$66,716
Per Capita$38,127
Unemployment2.1%
Poverty7.3%
Avg Weekly Wage$1,219
Housing
A+
Home Value$244,800
Rent$1,046
Ownership63.5%
Zillow$300,477
Housing Units11,096
Rent Burden29.6%
Crime
F
Violent90/100K
Property2,184/100K
Murder3.9/100K
Assault55/100K
Burglary180/100K
Health
Obesity36.1%
Diabetes10.3%
Smoking14.1%
Heart Disease5.4%
Premature Death10,541/100K
Climate
Avg Temp51°F
Sunny Days305/yr
Rain49.9 in/yr
AQI35 (Good)
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.
11.4% of the population has a disability.
13.6% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 115 Mbps.
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