City profile · North Dakota · Census ACS 2023

New Salem, ND

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

904
Residents
$69,750
Median income
$173,400
Median home
$1,175
Median rent (state)

New Salem - the verdict

Nationally, New Salem sits in the 49th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

49th
percentile, household income
35th
percentile, home value
34th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: New Salem, ND

904 people live in New Salem, North Dakota - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in New Salem brings in $69,750 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.6%. New Salem's housing stock carries a median value of $173,400, and the median resident age is 38.4 years. Educational attainment runs 18.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 62.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 5 residential building permits were authorized in New Salem (Construction Slowdown), down 69% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. NOAA puts New Salem's yearly average temperature at 41.5°F with 18.3 inches of precipitation per year and 44.5 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in North Dakota run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Dakota scores 89.0 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,175 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $200 across North Dakota, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 49.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

904 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Dakota

Median Household Income

$69,750 /yr

Poverty 5.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

89.0 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Dakota average

How does New Salem compare to other US cities?

Where New Salem sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 49% higher than other cities
Home value 35% pricier than other cities
Median rent 34% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares New Salem against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Dakota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Dakota-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places New Salem toward the top of North Dakota's cities

Among the 246 North Dakota cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, New Salem ranks #14 - the 89th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares New Salem only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#112 of 227
51st percentile in North Dakota
Median Gross Rent
#14 of 246
89th percentile in North Dakota
Median Home Value
#71 of 226
69th percentile in North Dakota
Poverty Rate
#120 of 246
51st percentile in North Dakota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#161 of 246
33rd percentile in North Dakota

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Dakota only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

49thIncome percentile

49th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How New Salem's home value compares nationally

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

$173,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 65% 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%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. New 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 - New Salem, ND New Salem, ND's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not New Salem, ND-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 New Salem, ND median $69,750/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%
New Salem, ND'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 New Salem, ND. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.8%

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

Population
904
Median Income
$69,750
Median Home Value
$173,400
Median Age
38.4
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Labor force participation
62.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.3%

Climate

Avg Temperature
41.5°F
Annual Precipitation
18.3"
Annual Snowfall
44.5"

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
950 residents1,000 residents1,050 residents1,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 981 residents 1,082 residents ▲ +10.3%
New Salem's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
5
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
5
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 16
2020 18
2021 20
2022 1
2023 6
2024 5

Permit volume decreased 69% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
85.0%
Carpool
5.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
6.2%
Other
1.8%

Based on 433 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Dakota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$90
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$200
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Dakota 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 North Dakota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county New Salem sits in

Cost of Living Index
89.0
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,175/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
49.6 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Dakota

Cooperstown
910 people
Green Acres
914 people
Reile's Acres
888 people
Wishek
922 people
Kindred
927 people
Walhalla
927 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to New Salem's 904 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hessmer, LA
904 people
West Mansfield, OH
904 people
Pond Creek, OK
904 people
Benton, WI
904 people
Dickeyville, WI
904 people
Oak Grove, AL
905 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to New Salem's $69,750 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Shellsburg, IA
$69,750 median income
Wright, MN
$69,750 median income
Woodsdale, OH
$69,750 median income
Tower City, PA
$69,750 median income
East Highland Park, VA
$69,750 median income
Gibbon, NE
$69,762 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - New Salem, ND 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 New Salem, ND - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 97.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.1% White 97.6% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.7% Two or more races 1.8% 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 New Salem compares to nearby North Dakota cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
New Salem (this city) 904 $69,750
Cooperstown 910 $51,932
Green Acres 914 $46,429
Reile's Acres 888 $198,333
Census ACS 5-year FIPS ND NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about New Salem, ND?

What is the population of New Salem, ND? +

The population of New Salem, ND stands at 904 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in New Salem, ND? +

New Salem households earn a median of $69,750 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in New Salem? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for New Salem; the closest available measure is the North Dakota state average, a cost of living index of 89.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Dakota vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in New Salem, ND? +

A typical home in New Salem is worth $173,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in New Salem? +

Climate normals put New Salem's yearly average temperature at 41.5°F, 18.3 inches of precipitation, and 44.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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

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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.