City · Indiana
Salem, Indiana
Salem, city, in Washington County, Indiana. Salem had 6,427 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 6,371 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 6,489 (±22). GEOID 1867464.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,427
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,371 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,489 ±22
Median household income
$56,538
±$6,839 (90% margin)
Indiana: $71,957
Median home value
$144,700
±$15,431 (90% margin)
Indiana: $218,200
Median gross rent
$690
±$113 (90% margin)
Indiana: $1,062
Where is Salem and what county is it in?
Salem is a city in Washington County, Indiana. It covers 4.2 square miles of land, 1,509 residents per square mile in 2020.
Salem is in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 12 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Salem lies entirely within Washington Township (Washington County), a township with its own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Salem, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 6,427 people lived in Salem on July 1, 2025, down 1.5% since 2020, while Indiana grew 2.8%. The 2020 Census counted 6,371 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 6,489 (±22).
| Measure | Salem | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,489 ±22 | 28,212 | +317 |
| Households | 2,706 ±295 | 11,229 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.28 ±0.24 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,838 ±295 | 12,222 | no clear change |
Salem's population since 2000
From 6,172 in 2000 to 6,427 in 2025: up 4.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Salem as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Salem?
The median resident of Salem is 43.1 years old; 18.4% are under 18 and 21.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.7%.
| Measure | Salem | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.1 ±5.6 | 41.5 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.4% ±3.3 pts | 22.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.4% ±3.6 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Male | 50.3% ±3.6 pts | 49.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7% ±1.8 pts | 1.5% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.1% ±2.2 pts | 95.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.0% ±1.1 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.7% ±1.0 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.9% ±2.4 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 21.4% ±3.4 pts | 16.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.1% ±7.8 pts | 7.8% | +8.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.9% ±3.3 pts | 87.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.6% ±3.3 pts | 14.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.7% ±2.2 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.5% ±4.6 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Salem earn?
Half of Salem's 2,706 households earn less than $56,538 a year (±$6,839), against $64,641 in Washington County and $71,957 in Indiana. In 2015-2019 the median was $44,722 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $11,816 after inflation. 25.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Salem | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,538 ±$6,839 | $64,641 | +$11,816 |
| Mean household income | $63,414 ±$5,611 | $77,542 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,205 ±$3,175 | $31,007 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 25.7% ±9.5 pts | 14.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 31.1% ±20.9 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.0% ±4.6 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.6% ±2.9 pts | 90.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.0% ±3.9 pts | 84.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Salem?
Owners occupy 73.7% of Salem's occupied homes and renters 26.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $144,700 by its owner (±$15,431). The median renter pays $690 a month including utilities, and 48.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Salem | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $144,700 ±$15,431 | $172,200 | +$43,045 |
| Median gross rent | $690 ±$113 | $780 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.1% ±13.3 pts | 38.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,049 ±$105 | $1,259 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.7% ±5.3 pts | 82.1% | +8.6 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 26.3% ±5.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Housing units | 2,838 ±295 | 12,222 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4% ±2.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.6% ±6.7 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.3% ±4.9 pts | 75.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.9% ±4.0 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7% ±1.3 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.5% ±2.4 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 23.7% ±4.7 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.8% ±3.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Salem building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Salem in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 4.2 across Indiana.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Salem work and get to work?
73.0% of Salem's workers drive alone and 8.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Salem | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.3% ±4.9 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% ±3.1 pts | 3.2% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.0% ±5.7 pts | 76.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 17.4% ±5.7 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 0.6% ±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.8% ±2.5 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.7 min ±3.2 | 31.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Salem?
1 census tract lies mostly in Salem, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9675Washington County | 3,403 | $52,256 |
| Tract 9676Washington County | 3,811 | $69,036 |
| Tract 9673Washington County | 4,650 | $55,450 |
| Tract 9674Washington County | 4,655 | $71,098 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Salem) · Census block assignment files
How does Salem compare with other places in Indiana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Salem is the 4,267th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 106th-most populous of 566 in Indiana.
Salem ranks 872nd of 1,072 places in Indiana with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 106th | 566 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 969th | 1,056 |
| Residents per square mile | 192nd | 1,088 |
| Median household income | 872nd | 1,072 |
| Per capita income | 968th | 1,087 |
| Median home value | 826th | 1,075 |
| Median gross rent | 827th | 904 |
| Poverty rate | 30th | 736 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 753rd | 1,029 |
| Median age | 365th | 1,083 |
| Owner-occupied share | 744th | 1,087 |
| Work from home | 304th | 595 |
| Travel time to work | 509th | 1,088 |
Salem's figures with every place in Indiana (CSV)
Every place in Indiana, sortable · Compare Salem with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Salem?
16 of the 57 figures for Salem on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Salem are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Salem.