Salem, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, Iowa had a total population of 349, the 570th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $51,250, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
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 | 363 | 349 | -3.9% |
| Median household income | $59,583 | $51,250 | -14.0% |
| Median home value | $75,000 | $85,700 | +14.3% |
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: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Henry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | 8,951 | $61,042 | 15.7% | $160,900 |
| New London | 2,338 | $77,560 | 8.4% | $139,600 |
| Wayland | 1,191 | $70,774 | 9.0% | $135,500 |
| Winfield | 1,007 | $49,063 | 9.8% | $100,000 |
| Westwood | 130 | $110,833 | 0.0% | $290,000 |
| Hillsboro | 120 | $53,125 | 15.0% | $55,000 |
| Swedesburg | 119 | $74,861 | 24.4% | N/A |
| Mount Union | 111 | $50,500 | 10.8% | $96,100 |
| Rome | 79 | $39,000 | 20.3% | $65,000 |
| Trenton | 75 | N/A | 0.0% | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ute | 351 | $55,341 | $75,000 | 8.7% | 12.0% |
| Delta | 363 | $52,083 | $48,100 | 2.6% | 12.2% |
| Spillville | 356 | $54,375 | $157,500 | 19.0% | 14.3% |
| Lehigh | 340 | $54,500 | $75,000 | 8.5% | 15.3% |
| Farmersburg | 375 | $51,667 | $78,000 | 3.3% | 12.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 349, Salem's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Salem is a small community located in Iowa, within Henry County. The total population is 349. It ranks as the 570th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 44.5 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 12.0% 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 $51,250. This is 32% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.1%. This is 63% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $85,700. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Salem is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.6%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
9.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. 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, Iowa?
Salem, Iowa has a population of 349 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, IA?
The median household income in Salem is $51,250, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, IA?
The poverty rate in Salem is 18.1%. This means approximately 63 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, Iowa?
Salem's population is 84.2% White, 1.4% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, IA?
The median home value in Salem is $85,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Salem, Iowa?
9.6% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.