New Salem, North Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Salem, North Dakota had a total population of 780, the 72nd largest city in North Dakota, with a median household income of $69,519, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
New Salem Quick Facts
How New 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 | 904 | 780 | -13.7% |
| Median household income | $69,750 | $69,519 | -0.3% |
| Median home value | $173,400 | $187,000 | +7.8% |
How New 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: 32 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
New Salem Rankings in North Dakota
Explore North Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in Morton County
Cities Similar to New Salem
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napoleon | 765 | $68,750 | $87,700 | 23.1% | 16.0% |
| Drayton | 763 | $70,250 | $107,500 | 23.7% | 5.6% |
| Lakota | 784 | $66,090 | $167,800 | 28.7% | 14.6% |
| Steele | 757 | $65,329 | $161,000 | 30.6% | 9.1% |
| Hankinson | 804 | $74,643 | $131,000 | 21.0% | 6.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 780, New 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
New Salem is a small community located in North Dakota, within Morton County. The total population is 780. It ranks as the 72nd most populous out of 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Salem is 39.8 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 35.9 years. 19.4% 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 New Salem is $69,519. This is 9% lower than the state median of $76,657. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.9%. This is 36% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 2.8%. The median home value is $187,000. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $249,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, New Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 62.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
New Salem has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 4.7%.
Education
20.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 32.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Salem, North Dakota 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 Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 402 Census-designated places in North Dakota. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Dakota city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of New Salem, North Dakota?
New Salem, North Dakota has a population of 780 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Salem, ND?
The median household income in New Salem is $69,519, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Salem, ND?
The poverty rate in New Salem is 6.9%. This means approximately 46 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Salem, North Dakota?
New Salem's population is 97.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Salem, ND?
The median home value in New Salem is $187,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is New Salem, North Dakota?
20.1% of adults (25+) in New Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.