County · Virginia
Salem city, Virginia
Salem city, Virginia. Salem city had 25,816 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.9% since 2020, slower than Virginia (+2.9%). It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 51775.
Salem city is one of the 6 counties of the Roanoke, VA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Salem city is the same area as Salem: the county and the city are one area with the same figures. This page lists its census tracts and the places within it; the city's page has its city ranks and its building permits.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,816
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 25,346 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,618
Median household income
$66,725
±$6,350 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$258,600
±$12,481 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$1,133
±$59 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Salem city, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 25,346 residents in Salem city. The Census Bureau estimates 25,816 for July 1, 2025, up 1.9% since 2020, slower than Virginia (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 25,618 over 15 square miles of land.
| Measure | Salem city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,618 | 8,705,170 | +301 |
| Households | 10,256±223 | 3,365,732 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.05 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,112±34 | 3,684,756 | +272 |
Salem city's population since 2000
From 24,747 in 2000 to 25,816 in 2025: up 4.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Salem city?
Salem city holds 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Salem with 25,816 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Salem | 25,346 | $66,725 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Salem city?
The median resident of Salem city is 40.0 years old; 19.5% are under 18 and 19.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 8.7%. 4.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Salem city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0±1.0 | 39.0 | −1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 19.5%±0.2 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.6%±0.5 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.8% | 11.0% | +1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.6%±0.5 pts | 58.4% | −3.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 8.7%±0.7 pts | 18.3% | +2.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.3 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.5%±1.1 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.8%±1.1 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±1.3 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 12.6%±1.5 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.3%±1.1 pts | 6.9% | −2.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.2%±1.4 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 33.0%±2.7 pts | 42.2% | +5.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.6%±2.1 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 city earn?
Half of Salem city's 10,256 households earn less than $66,725 a year (±$6,350), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $70,353 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Salem city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,725±$6,350 | $93,170 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $96,247±$5,695 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,370±$2,196 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.2%±2.5 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.2%±6.4 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.8%±1.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.1%±2.3 pts | 91.0% | – |
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 city?
Owners occupy 62.8% of Salem city's occupied homes and renters 37.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $258,600 by its owner (±$12,481). The median renter pays $1,133 a month including utilities, and 36.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Salem city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $258,600±$12,481 | $383,700 | +$34,737 |
| Median gross rent | $1,133±$59 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.8%±6.3 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,511±$62 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.8%±2.7 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,112±34 | 3,684,756 | +272 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.1%±4.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.8%±2.2 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.6%±0.9 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.1%±2.5 pts | 7.0% | – |
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 city building?
Builders took permits for 17 new housing units across Salem city in 2025 (17 single-family), 0.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Salem city get to work?
76.7% of Salem city's workers drive alone and 10.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Salem city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.9%±2.2 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±1.4 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.7%±3.6 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.9%±1.9 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 5.1%±1.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.8%±2.4 pts | 18.3% | +4.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.0 min±1.5 | 27.3 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 are Salem city's census tracts?
Salem city is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $51,484 (Tract 103) to $90,984 (Tract 102).
| Tract 10151775010100 | 6,095±527 | $66,618 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 10251775010200 | 6,411±558 | $90,984 |
| Tract 10351775010300 | 4,741±511 | $51,484 |
| Tract 105.0151775010501 | 3,305±379 | $57,222 |
| Tract 105.0251775010502 | 5,066±452 | $71,484 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Salem city compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 69th of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 65th of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 22nd of 133 |
| Median household income | 69th of 133 |
| Median home value | 67th of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 59th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 80th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 45th of 133 |
| Median age | 85th of 133 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 city 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' school search.