Salem city, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Salem city, New Jersey has a total population of 5,315, the 283rd largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $40,650, which is 60% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.5% is notably above the national average.
Salem city Quick Facts
How Salem city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem city Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Salem County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penns Grove borough | 4,860 | $43,889 | 36.3% | $170,100 |
| Woodstown borough | 3,690 | $101,855 | 7.5% | $231,700 |
| Elmer borough | 1,152 | $92,757 | 5.0% | $206,300 |
Cities Similar to Salem city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penns Grove borough | 4,860 | $43,889 | $170,100 | 14.6% | 36.3% |
| Wildwood city | 5,140 | $51,996 | $361,200 | 15.1% | 18.1% |
| Leisure Village CDP | 6,307 | $42,705 | $127,000 | 24.1% | 39.2% |
| Prospect Park borough | 6,286 | $48,615 | $391,500 | 24.4% | 24.9% |
| Clementon borough | 5,351 | $69,536 | $197,200 | 22.4% | 12.1% |
Population Overview
Salem city is a small city located in New Jersey, within Salem County. The total population is 5,315. It ranks as the 283rd most populous out of 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem city is 36.1 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem city is $40,650. This is 60% lower than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 48% lower. The poverty rate stands at 31.2%. This is 219% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. 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 10.5%. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $69,300. Housing costs are 84% lower than the state median of $427,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Salem city 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 63.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Salem city is Black or African American, making up 56.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (56.2% vs 12.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (8.8%) is well below the state average of 21.9%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 9.8%.
Education
12.7% 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 70% lower than the state rate of 42.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem city, New Jersey 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 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Salem city, New Jersey?
Salem city, New Jersey has a population of 5,315 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem city, NJ?
The median household income in Salem city is $40,650, which is 48% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Salem city, NJ?
The poverty rate in Salem city is 31.2%. This means approximately 1,653 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem city, New Jersey?
Salem city's population is 30.2% White, 56.2% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem city, NJ?
The median home value in Salem city is $69,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Salem city, New Jersey?
12.7% of adults (25+) in Salem city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.