Salem, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, Indiana had a total population of 6,489, the 109th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $56,538, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.7%), 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 | 6,484 | 6,489 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $51,786 | $56,538 | +9.2% |
| Median home value | $136,800 | $144,700 | +5.8% |
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Pekin | 1,372 | $50,625 | 19.5% | $135,800 |
| Campbellsburg | 635 | $49,688 | 35.3% | $150,400 |
| Little York | 208 | $64,583 | 17.8% | $159,400 |
| Hardinsburg | 164 | $36,042 | 21.3% | $117,600 |
| Saltillo | 117 | $41,649 | 7.7% | $46,000 |
| Livonia | 95 | $53,750 | 21.1% | $113,600 |
| Fredericksburg | 48 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingburg | 6,396 | $54,421 | $143,800 | 19.1% | 16.0% |
| Rochester | 6,215 | $57,008 | $137,400 | 18.3% | 18.1% |
| Ross | 6,751 | $54,563 | $119,100 | 16.0% | 18.4% |
| Portland | 6,416 | $51,513 | $96,700 | 12.9% | 17.3% |
| Mount Vernon | 6,400 | $62,263 | $163,300 | 18.6% | 14.9% |
Population Overview
Salem is a small city located in Indiana, within Washington County. The total population is 6,489. It ranks as the 109th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 43.1 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem is $56,538. This is 21% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 108% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. 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 4.9%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $144,700. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Salem has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 8.6%.
Education
15.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, Indiana 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 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. 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 Salem, Indiana?
Salem, Indiana has a population of 6,489 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, IN?
The median household income in Salem is $56,538, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, IN?
The poverty rate in Salem is 25.7%. This means approximately 1,589 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, Indiana?
Salem's population is 95.1% White, 0.1% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, IN?
The median home value in Salem is $144,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Salem, Indiana?
15.6% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.