Salem, VA Profile: Facts & Data

The City of Salem had a population of 25,450 as of July 1, 2024. Salem ranks in the upper quartile for Population Density when compared to the other cities, towns and Census Designated Places (CDPs) in Virginia. See peer rankings below.

The primary coordinate point for Salem is located at latitude 37.2935 and longitude -80.0548 in Salem (city) County. The formal boundaries for the City of Salem encompass a land area of 14.44 sq. miles and a water area of 0.1 sq. miles. Salem (city) County is in the Eastern time zone (GMT -5).

The City of Salem has a C7 Census Class Code which indicates an incorporated place that is independent of any county. It also has a Functional Status Code of "A" which identifies an active government providing primary general-purpose functions.

Salem, VA Data & Demographics (As of July 1, 2024)

POPULATION
Total Population	25,450 (100%)
Population in Households	23,425 (92.0%)
Population in Families	17,724 (69.6%)
Population in Group Quarters¹	2,025 ( 8.0%)
Population Density	1,753
Diversity Index²	40


INCOME
Median Household Income	$70,180
Average Household Income	$96,181
% of Income for Mortgage⁴	25%
Per Capita Income	$39,083
Wealth Index⁵	90
Socioeconomic Status Index⁶	Moderate (52.4)

HOUSING
Total HU (Housing Units)	11,301 (100%)
Owner Occupied HU	6,901 (61.1%)
Renter Occupied HU	3,429 (30.3%)
Vacant Housing Units	971 ( 8.6%)
Median Home Value	$284,796
Average Home Value	$351,391
Housing Affordability Index³	98

HOUSEHOLDS
Total Households	10,330
Average Household Size	2.27
Family Households	6,119
Average Family Size	3.00

NOTES

Group Quarters - a place where people live or stay in a group living arrangement. Includes college residents halls, nursing facilities, military barracks, and correctional facilities.
The Diversity Index is a scale of 0 to 100 that represents the likelihood that two persons, chosen at random from the same area, belong to different races or ethnic groups. If an area's entire population belongs to one race AND one ethnic group, then the area has zero diversity. An area's diversity index increases to 100 when the population is evenly divided into two or more race/ethnic groups.
The Housing Affordability Index base is 100 and represents a balance point where a resident with a median household income can normally qualify to purchase a median price home. Values above 100 indicate increased affordability, while values below 100 indicate decreased affordability.
The % of Income for Mortgage quantifies the percentage of median household income dedicated to mortgage payments on a home priced at the median value (assuming a 30-year mortgage and a 20% down payment).
The Wealth Index is based on a number of indicators of affluence including average household income and average net worth, but it also includes the value of material possessions and resources. It represents the wealth of the area relative to the national level. Values above or below 100 represent above-average wealth or below-average wealth compared to the national level.
The Socioeconomic Index ranges from zero (lowest relative status) to 100 (highest relative status). This measure quantifies disparities in social position of an area's inhabitants and is built from a broad range of demographic, housing, and socioeconomic inputs. More information on this measure can be found in Esri's SEI tutorial.

Salem, VA - Peer Comparisons by Rank and Percentile

The table below compares Salem to the other 688 incorporated cities, towns and CDPs in Virginia by rank and percentile using July 1, 2024 data. The location Ranked # 1 has the highest value. A location that ranks higher than 75% of its peers would be in the 75th percentile of the peer group.

GROWTH RATE / YEAR	2020-2024	2024-2029
Population	0.10%	-0.02%
Households	0.20%	0.13%
Families		-0.02%
Median Household Income		2.61%
Per Capita Income		3.02%
Owner Occupied HU		0.72%

Variable Description	Rank	Percentile
Total Population	# 47	93rd
Population Density	# 171	75th
Median Household Income	# 322	53rd
Housing Affordability Index	# 405	59th
Per Capita Income	# 294	57th
Diversity Index	# 426	38th

Salem, VA Profile: Facts & Data

Salem, Virginia - Basic Facts

Salem, VA Data & Demographics (As of July 1, 2024)

POPULATION

INCOME

HOUSING

HOUSEHOLDS

GROWTH RATE / YEAR

Salem, VA - Peer Comparisons by Rank and Percentile

Salem, VA - Most Popular Things to Do

Use HTL Address Research for a Virginia Address and get...

Quick & Easy Ways to...

Virginia Census Data Comparison Tool

Salem (city) County