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 enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.8 inches. The area receives 14.8 inches of snow annually.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 58.1°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,024 ft (312 m) |
| Area | 14.5 sq mi (37.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,755/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.2853°N, 80.0552°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Salem city County |
| Nearest Airport | Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 8.0 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 18.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 78.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.1 in |
Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 38°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (2.9").