Salem, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, Arkansas had a total population of 1,620, the 170th largest city in Arkansas, with a median household income of $40,833, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Salem Quick Facts
How Salem Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,471 | 1,620 | +10.1% |
| Median household income | $35,679 | $40,833 | +14.4% |
| Median home value | $88,200 | $105,900 | +20.1% |
How Salem Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Fulton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammoth Spring | 1,226 | $32,863 | 34.3% | $103,000 |
| Viola | 384 | $41,250 | 16.9% | $107,200 |
Cities Similar to Salem
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | 1,637 | $40,417 | $96,300 | 7.2% | 29.5% |
| Bull Shoals | 1,678 | $41,976 | $158,100 | 17.2% | 14.6% |
| Gurdon | 1,625 | $47,587 | $111,600 | 16.9% | 17.2% |
| Decatur | 1,567 | $45,179 | $157,600 | 9.0% | 11.8% |
| Mulberry | 1,646 | $50,428 | $135,900 | 10.6% | 16.4% |
Population Overview
Salem is a small community located in Arkansas, within Fulton County. The total population is 1,620. It ranks as the 170th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 39.3 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.5 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem is $40,833. This is 33% lower than the state median of $60,773. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.1%. This is 82% 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 4.4%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $105,900. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Salem has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 9.0%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 25.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, Arkansas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Arkansas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Salem, Arkansas?
Salem, Arkansas has a population of 1,620 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, AR?
The median household income in Salem is $40,833, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, AR?
The poverty rate in Salem is 29.1%. This means approximately 450 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, Arkansas?
Salem's population is 91.8% White, 2.5% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, AR?
The median home value in Salem is $105,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Salem, Arkansas?
11.7% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.