City profile · Illinois · Census ACS 2023

Salem, IL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Salem - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

7,341
Residents
$57,083
Median income
$99,800
Median home
$916
Median rent (state)

Salem - the verdict

Nationally, Salem sits in the 31st percentile for household income and the 45th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

31st
percentile, household income
9th
percentile, home value
5th
percentile, median rent
45th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Salem, IL

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 7,341 residents in Salem, a small town within Illinois. Median household income here is $57,083 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 16.3%. Home values in Salem run a median of $99,800, and the median resident age is 38.2 years. 14.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 60.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 23 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Low Activity). Salem reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1531.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 54.9°F with 45.9 inches of precipitation per year and 10.2 inches of snowfall.

Illinois tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 100.0 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $916 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Illinois run around $240, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 77.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

7,341 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Illinois

Median Household Income

$57,083 /yr

Poverty 16.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

100.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Illinois average

How does Salem compare to other US cities?

Salem measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 31% higher than other cities
Home value 9% pricier than other cities
Median rent 5% pricier than other cities
Safety 45% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Illinois, Salem ranks #313 of 455 Illinois cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Salem's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Illinois, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

31stIncome percentile
45thSafety percentile

31st percentile nationally for median household income · 45th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Salem's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Salem's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 56 Avg. percentile National median
Salem's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Salem's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$99,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 91% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Salem $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Salem, IL Salem, IL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Salem, IL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Salem, IL median $57,083/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Salem, IL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Salem, IL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
7,341
Median Income
$57,083
Median Home Value
$99,800
Median Age
38.2
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Labor force participation
60.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1531.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
386.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1144.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
45.9"
Annual Snowfall
10.2"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,900 residents7,000 residents7,100 residents7,200 residents7,300 residents7,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,275 residents 7,035 residents ▼ -3.3%
Salem's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
23
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
20
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 1
2021 1
2022 0
2023 0
2024 23

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.3%
Carpool
9.6%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
1.8%
Work from Home
4.8%
Other
1.2%

Based on 3,370 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Illinois - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$90
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$240
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Illinois state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Illinois state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Salem sits in

Cost of Living Index
100.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$916/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
77.1 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Illinois

Jerseyville
7,432 people
North Riverside
7,495 people
Greenville
7,159 people
West Frankfort
7,156 people
Inverness
7,541 people
Marengo
7,123 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Salem's 7,341 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Dunbar, WV
7,340 people
Highlands, TX
7,339 people
Lakes of the Four Seasons, IN
7,338 people
Scottsburg, IN
7,338 people
Bellbrook, OH
7,344 people
King, NC
7,345 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Salem's $57,083 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

St. Marks, FL
$57,083 median income
Rutledge, GA
$57,083 median income
Roberts, ID
$57,083 median income
Garrison, IA
$57,083 median income
Sharon Springs, KS
$57,083 median income
Bromley, KY
$57,083 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Salem, IL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Salem, IL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.3% White 90.0% Black or African American 4.2% Asian 0.9% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.0% Two or more races 2.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Salem compares to nearby Illinois cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Salem (this city) 7,341 $57,083
Jerseyville 7,432 $71,623
North Riverside 7,495 $80,753
Greenville 7,159 $52,727
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Salem, IL?

What is the population of Salem, IL? +

The population of Salem, IL stands at 7,341 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Salem, IL? +

In Salem, the typical household earns $57,083 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Salem? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Salem; the closest available measure is the Illinois state average, a cost of living index of 100.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Illinois vary by metro area.

Is Salem, IL safe? +

Salem has a total crime rate of 1531.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Salem, IL? +

The median home value in Salem is $99,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Salem? +

Salem has an average annual temperature of 54.9°F, 45.9 inches of precipitation, and 10.2 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.