Salem, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, Arkansas had a total population of 2,642, the 119th largest community in Arkansas, with a median household income of $73,750, which is 21% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.4% — among the lowest in Arkansas.
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 | 2,727 | 2,642 | -3.1% |
| Median household income | $79,692 | $73,750 | -7.5% |
| Median home value | $192,000 | $202,100 | +5.3% |
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 Saline County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benton | 36,595 | $72,876 | 8.1% | $212,700 |
| Bryant | 21,504 | $83,024 | 5.6% | $223,200 |
| Hot Springs Village | 16,327 | $75,370 | 7.3% | $272,000 |
| East End | 6,912 | $87,936 | 14.5% | $223,900 |
| Shannon Hills | 4,641 | $71,318 | 3.9% | $170,900 |
| Haskell | 4,100 | $85,758 | 7.6% | $160,600 |
| Avilla | 1,833 | $106,290 | 0.0% | $363,200 |
| Sardis | 890 | N/A | 45.3% | $178,000 |
| Bauxite | 846 | $74,250 | 15.0% | $188,200 |
| Traskwood | 552 | $81,042 | 4.9% | $197,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayflower | 2,861 | $75,682 | $184,600 | 20.5% | 5.6% |
| Lincoln | 2,794 | $68,333 | $168,900 | 7.6% | 12.4% |
| Lavaca | 2,489 | $80,924 | $162,300 | 23.4% | 5.9% |
| Charleston | 2,646 | $56,600 | $156,300 | 21.5% | 9.9% |
| Bono | 2,657 | $56,098 | $162,100 | 19.9% | 17.1% |
Population Overview
Salem is a small community located in Arkansas, within Saline County. The total population is 2,642. It ranks as the 119th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 53.8 years. This is 40% higher than the state median of 38.5 years. Only 9.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.4% 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 is $73,750. This is 21% higher than the state median of $60,773. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.4%. This is 85% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Salem, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $202,100. Housing costs are 8% higher than the state median of $188,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Salem has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.5%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 14.6%.
Education
25.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 94.3%.
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 2,642 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 $73,750, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, AR?
The poverty rate in Salem is 2.4%. This means approximately 63 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, Arkansas?
Salem's population is 90.6% White, 0.7% Black, 6.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, AR?
The median home value in Salem is $202,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Salem, Arkansas?
25.7% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.