Salem city, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Salem city is a small community located in Missouri. The total population is 4,673. It ranks as the 155th most populous out of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.

Age Demographics

The median age in Salem city is 42.0 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Salem city is $39,200. This is 43% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 50% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 32% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $97,200. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Salem city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Salem city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.4%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.

Education

17.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Salem city, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. For official data, visit data.census.gov.