Salem city, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Salem city, Indiana has a total population of 6,484, the 111th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $51,786, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.0%.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Salem city Quick Facts
How Salem city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem city Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Cities Similar to Salem city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingburg city | 6,504 | $52,327 | $126,500 | 14.4% | 14.2% |
| Ross CDP | 6,740 | $53,824 | $114,600 | 15.9% | 16.5% |
| Portland city | 6,341 | $45,431 | $90,600 | 11.9% | 16.7% |
| Mount Vernon city | 6,431 | $61,527 | $164,200 | 20.3% | 12.8% |
| Rushville city | 6,186 | $57,269 | $120,000 | 13.5% | 16.2% |
Population Overview
Salem city is a small city located in Indiana. The total population is 6,484. It ranks as the 111th most populous out of 967 cities and towns in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem city is 40.9 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem city is $51,786. This is 26% lower than the state median of $70,051. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.0%. This is 113% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.2%. 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 4.7%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $136,800. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $201,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Salem city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 70.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Salem city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 8.4%.
Education
14.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 28.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem city, Indiana 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 Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Salem city, Indiana?
Salem city, Indiana has a population of 6,484 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem city, IN?
The median household income in Salem city is $51,786, which is 34% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Salem city, IN?
The poverty rate in Salem city is 26.0%. This means approximately 1,614 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem city, Indiana?
Salem city's population is 95.1% White, 0.1% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem city, IN?
The median home value in Salem city is $136,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Salem city, Indiana?
14.5% of adults (25+) in Salem city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.