Salem, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, New Jersey had a total population of 5,322, the 284th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $38,721, which is 63% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 63% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.2% is notably above the national average.
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 | 5,315 | 5,322 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $40,650 | $38,721 | -4.7% |
| Median home value | $69,300 | $79,800 | +15.2% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Salem County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsville | 12,233 | $76,032 | 12.5% | $207,600 |
| Carneys Point | 8,050 | $77,273 | 11.4% | $193,300 |
| Penns Grove | 4,882 | $45,781 | 44.1% | $178,200 |
| Woodstown | 3,715 | $98,828 | 9.2% | $239,200 |
| Olivet | 1,573 | $128,849 | 4.6% | $340,700 |
| Alloway | 1,455 | $140,962 | 0.0% | $304,700 |
| Elmer | 1,176 | $95,357 | 9.8% | $227,300 |
| Auburn | 1,100 | $222,212 | 1.2% | $460,300 |
| Quinton | 432 | $90,625 | 3.5% | $193,800 |
| Pedricktown | 424 | $90,417 | 4.3% | $193,900 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers University-Busch Campus | 5,920 | N/A | N/A | 87.7% | 0.0% |
| Leisure Village | 5,751 | $44,542 | $145,800 | 26.1% | 42.2% |
| Penns Grove | 4,882 | $45,781 | $178,200 | 15.2% | 44.1% |
| Clementon | 5,410 | $62,979 | $223,500 | 23.3% | 10.8% |
| Ampere North | 5,029 | $66,714 | $365,600 | 30.3% | 20.5% |
Population Overview
Salem is a small city located in New Jersey, within Salem County. The total population is 5,322. It ranks as the 284th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 36.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem is $38,721. This is 63% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.8%. This is 155% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. 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 10.2%. This is 61% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $79,800. Housing costs are 82% lower than the state median of $454,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 34.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Salem is Black or African American, making up 57.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (57.1% vs 12.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population (8.7%) is well below the state average of 22.5%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
14.9% 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 66% lower than the state rate of 43.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, New Jersey 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 New Jersey state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey. 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, New Jersey?
Salem, New Jersey has a population of 5,322 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, NJ?
The median household income in Salem is $38,721, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, NJ?
The poverty rate in Salem is 24.8%. This means approximately 1,320 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, New Jersey?
Salem's population is 29.1% White, 57.1% Black, 8.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, NJ?
The median home value in Salem is $79,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Salem, New Jersey?
14.9% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.