Salem, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, North Carolina had a total population of 2,377, the 310th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $68,988, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
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 | 2,035 | 2,377 | +16.8% |
| Median household income | $66,653 | $68,988 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $159,300 | $159,100 | -0.1% |
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: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Burke County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | 25.7% | $221,700 |
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | 12.8% | $209,800 |
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | 9.2% | $206,500 |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | 21.1% | $193,900 |
| Icard | 2,153 | $44,641 | 18.4% | $141,800 |
| Drexel | 2,146 | $61,992 | 11.7% | $214,400 |
| Glen Alpine | 1,991 | $69,697 | 11.0% | $172,800 |
| Rutherford College | 1,374 | $67,500 | 7.7% | $185,600 |
| Rhodhiss | 1,166 | $63,125 | 10.4% | $134,700 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calabash | 2,377 | $65,310 | $253,200 | 22.1% | 17.6% |
| Richlands | 2,335 | $65,163 | $248,800 | 38.1% | 11.1% |
| Four Oaks | 2,459 | $72,826 | $253,700 | 16.4% | 15.3% |
| Denver | 2,497 | $65,721 | $296,300 | 43.6% | 6.0% |
| Kenly | 2,359 | $57,045 | $205,200 | 7.9% | 14.4% |
Population Overview
Salem is a small community located in North Carolina, within Burke County. The total population is 2,377. It ranks as the 310th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 41.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 15.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem is $68,988. This is 5% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 46% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $159,100. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Salem is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.6%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
22.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. 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, North Carolina?
Salem, North Carolina has a population of 2,377 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, NC?
The median household income in Salem is $68,988, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, NC?
The poverty rate in Salem is 19.1%. This means approximately 450 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, North Carolina?
Salem's population is 80.9% White, 1.2% Black, 14.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, NC?
The median home value in Salem is $159,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Salem, North Carolina?
22.8% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.