Salem city, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Salem city is a small community located in Arkansas. The total population is 1,471. It ranks as the 172nd most populous out of 617 cities and towns in Arkansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Salem city is 46.8 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 38.4 years. 13.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Salem city is $35,679. This is 39% lower than the state median of $58,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 55% lower. The poverty rate stands at 35.8%. This is 123% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $88,200. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $175,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Salem city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 66.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

Salem city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.6%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 14.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 8.8%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

8.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Salem city, Arkansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 617 Census-designated places in Arkansas. For official data, visit data.census.gov.