Salem city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Salem city is a small community located in Kentucky. The total population is 782. It ranks as the 276th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Salem city is 45.3 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 18.4% 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 city is $61,250. This is 2% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 22% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.0%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $100,000. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Salem city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Salem city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.5%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

12.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.0% 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 city, Kentucky 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 Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. For official data, visit data.census.gov.