Salem, WV

Full City Profile · West Virginia · Doddridge County County

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,812 Population 1,352/sq mi density
$43,690 Median Income $20,352 per capita
$77,200 Home Value $128,077 Zillow
$570 Median Rent 23.6% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature
91 Violent Crime/100K 726 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$43,690 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$77,200 home value, $570/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
91 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.2% bachelor's degree or higher

Salem, WV

At a Glance

Median Income
$43,690
42% below
$20,352 per capita
Home Value
$77,200
73% below
Zillow: $128,077
Median Rent
$570/mo
51% below
23.6% of income on rent
Violent Crime
91/100K
76% below
726/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
18.2%
46% below
88.7% high school+
Unemployment
4.1%
14% above
20.4% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
44.0%
37% above
24.1% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
53°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
58%
Home Value
27%
Rent
49%
Poverty
165%
Bachelor's
54%
Unemployment
114%
Crime
24%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Salem a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.8 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Salem residents earn a median household income of $43,690 , which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $20,352. The unemployment rate stands at 4.1% (14% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 20.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 129 business establishments, including 6 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Salem is $77,200 , 73% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $128,077. Median rent is $570/month, with 23.6% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 89.5 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1942.

Safety & Crime

Salem reports 91 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 76% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 726/100K.

Education

18.2% of adults in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher (46% below the national average). 88.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.0/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Salem has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.1 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population1,812
Median Age32.4 yrs
Density1,352/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Foreign Born2.7%
Veterans3.8%

Economy

C+
Median Income$43,690
Per Capita$20,352
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty20.4%
County GDP$665M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,284

Housing

A+
Home Value$77,200
Rent$570
Ownership71.2%
Zillow$128,077
Housing Units758
Rent Burden23.6%

Crime

F
Violent91/100K
Property726/100K

Health

Obesity44.0%
Diabetes15.1%
Smoking24.1%
Heart Disease7.9%
Premature Death9,796/100K

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
Rain49.1 in/yr
Elevation1,144 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.2%
High School+88.7%
Graduate+11.3%
School Score5.0/10

Community

2024 VoteR 86% / D 13%
Commute21 min
Broadband74.5%
Internet Speed55 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries2

Did You Know?

The median home in Salem was built in 1942.
The nearest airport is Mid-Ohio Valley Regional (47 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.477 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
21.7% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 3 fatal vehicle crashes.