Salmon, Idaho Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salmon, Idaho had a total population of 3,203, the 49th largest city in Idaho, with a median household income of $42,844, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Salmon Quick Facts
How Salmon 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 | 3,196 | 3,203 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $40,875 | $42,844 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $198,400 | $235,500 | +18.7% |
How Salmon 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: 36 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salmon Rankings in Idaho
Explore Idaho Rankings
Other Cities in Lemhi County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leadore | 135 | $30,568 | 25.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Salmon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orofino | 3,260 | $53,438 | $223,400 | 16.4% | 13.6% |
| Soda Springs | 3,158 | $57,361 | $241,400 | 11.8% | 12.0% |
| Gooding | 3,778 | $41,899 | $186,100 | 11.7% | 27.5% |
| Fort Hall | 2,654 | $44,514 | $203,300 | 15.5% | 22.6% |
| Wendell | 2,981 | $57,266 | $242,100 | 11.9% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
Salmon is a small community located in Idaho, within Lemhi County. The total population is 3,203. It ranks as the 49th most populous out of 232 Census-designated places in Idaho.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salmon is 46.8 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 37.3 years. 15.1% 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 Salmon is $42,844. This is 45% lower than the state median of $77,800. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.1%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $235,500. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $418,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 72.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Salmon has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The Black or African American population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 0.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 13.7%.
Education
19.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salmon, Idaho 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 Idaho state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 232 Census-designated places in Idaho. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Salmon, Idaho?
Salmon, Idaho has a population of 3,203 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salmon, ID?
The median household income in Salmon is $42,844, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salmon, ID?
The poverty rate in Salmon is 15.1%. This means approximately 474 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salmon, Idaho?
Salmon's population is 92.5% White, 0.0% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salmon, ID?
The median home value in Salmon is $235,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Salmon, Idaho?
19.3% of adults (25+) in Salmon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.