Salem, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, Nebraska had a total population of 102, the 448th largest village in Nebraska. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 2.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
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 | 84 | 102 | +21.4% |
| Median home value | $45,900 | $42,500 | -7.4% |
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 Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Richardson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falls City | 4,077 | $51,706 | 11.4% | $89,800 |
| Humboldt | 775 | $41,786 | 14.4% | $67,500 |
| Shubert | 214 | $37,500 | 8.5% | $61,300 |
| Verdon | 185 | $78,750 | 11.9% | $55,000 |
| Dawson | 166 | $60,913 | 3.7% | N/A |
| Rulo | 164 | $45,625 | 9.2% | $94,600 |
| Stella | 126 | $56,250 | 8.7% | $62,500 |
| Barada | 35 | N/A | 8.6% | $69,000 |
| Preston | 16 | $50,417 | 0.0% | $103,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownville | 102 | N/A | $112,500 | 31.0% | 12.8% |
| Colon | 102 | $61,563 | $166,100 | 18.6% | 11.5% |
| Harrisburg | 103 | $81,071 | $113,600 | 33.3% | 3.9% |
| Alexandria | 101 | $56,250 | $29,200 | 15.1% | 20.8% |
| Belden | 101 | $70,625 | $107,500 | 17.5% | 11.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 102, 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 Nebraska, within Richardson County. The total population is 102. It ranks as the 448th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 62.3 years. This is 67% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. Only 11.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Salem, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $42,500. Housing costs are 82% lower than the state median of $238,600. 56.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Salem has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
2.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 93% lower than the state rate of 34.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, Nebraska 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 Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska. 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, Nebraska?
Salem, Nebraska has a population of 102 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, NE?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Salem — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, NE?
The poverty rate in Salem is 8.8%. This means approximately 9 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, Nebraska?
Salem's population is 98.0% White, 0.0% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, NE?
The median home value in Salem is $42,500.
How educated is Salem, Nebraska?
2.3% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.