Salem, New Mexico Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, New Mexico had a total population of 916, the 169th largest community in New Mexico, with a median household income of $31,386, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 54.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (54.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 2.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.5% 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 | 834 | 916 | +9.8% |
| Median household income | $56,103 | $31,386 | -44.1% |
| Median home value | $55,300 | $61,500 | +11.2% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem Rankings in New Mexico
Explore New Mexico Rankings
Other Cities in Doña Ana County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces | 114,197 | $55,422 | 22.6% | $231,700 |
| Chaparral | 18,186 | $46,017 | 27.4% | $109,300 |
| Sunland Park | 17,463 | $62,814 | 22.4% | $215,200 |
| Anthony | 8,767 | $38,132 | 32.9% | $116,000 |
| Santa Teresa | 6,041 | $63,161 | 23.9% | $215,100 |
| Vado | 2,895 | $37,411 | 25.7% | $104,400 |
| University Park | 2,782 | $30,156 | 30.2% | N/A |
| San Ysidro | 2,118 | $89,473 | 8.6% | $335,300 |
| Picacho Hills | 2,002 | $120,850 | 5.5% | $456,400 |
| Radium Springs | 1,908 | $43,836 | 15.4% | $136,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Sumner | 938 | N/A | N/A | 2.7% | 17.3% |
| Cedar Crest | 886 | N/A | $248,400 | 47.2% | 10.0% |
| Magdalena | 976 | N/A | $99,500 | 0.0% | 38.8% |
| Doña Ana | 868 | $35,700 | $96,400 | 1.6% | 49.5% |
| Twin Lakes | 893 | $25,938 | $56,500 | 3.5% | 50.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 916, 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 New Mexico, within Doña Ana County. The total population is 916. It ranks as the 169th most populous out of 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 30.0 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 39.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem is $31,386. This is 51% lower than the state median of $64,059. It is also 61% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 54.1%. This is 204% higher than the state poverty rate of 17.8%. 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 8.5%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $61,500. Housing costs are 75% lower than the state median of $248,100. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Salem has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 97.7% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 36.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (97.7% vs 48.4%).
Education
2.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 92% lower than the state rate of 31.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 40.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, New Mexico 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 Mexico state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 495 Census-designated places in New Mexico. 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 Mexico?
Salem, New Mexico has a population of 916 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, NM?
The median household income in Salem is $31,386, which is 61% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, NM?
The poverty rate in Salem is 54.1%. This means approximately 496 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, New Mexico?
Salem's population is 2.3% White, 0.0% Black, 97.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, NM?
The median home value in Salem is $61,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Salem, New Mexico?
2.5% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.