Salem CDP, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Salem CDP, North Carolina has a total population of 2,035, the 337th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $66,653, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Salem CDP Quick Facts
How Salem CDP Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem CDP Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Salem CDP
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glen Alpine town | 1,995 | $62,917 | $173,200 | 29.3% | 13.2% |
| Hemby Bridge town | 2,079 | $71,953 | $262,300 | 20.5% | 20.0% |
| Pine Level town | 2,072 | $72,663 | $228,000 | 23.6% | 7.4% |
| Claremont city | 2,051 | $59,583 | $227,200 | 25.9% | 11.2% |
| Broad Creek CDP | 1,963 | $57,545 | $226,000 | 19.1% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
Salem CDP is a small community located in North Carolina. The total population is 2,035. It ranks as the 337th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem CDP is 42.8 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem CDP is $66,653. This is 5% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 15% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 51% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $159,300. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Salem CDP is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Salem CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.1%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 20.3%.
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem CDP, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Salem CDP, North Carolina?
Salem CDP, North Carolina has a population of 2,035 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem CDP, NC?
The median household income in Salem CDP is $66,653, which is 15% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Salem CDP, NC?
The poverty rate in Salem CDP is 19.9%. This means approximately 401 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem CDP, North Carolina?
Salem CDP's population is 77.4% White, 1.5% Black, 15.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem CDP, NC?
The median home value in Salem CDP is $159,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Salem CDP, North Carolina?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Salem CDP hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.