Salem city, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Salem city, Ohio has a total population of 11,805, the 159th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $50,250, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 39 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem city Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucyrus city | 11,619 | $53,169 | $122,000 | 9.9% | 16.9% |
| Conneaut city | 12,378 | $50,585 | $126,700 | 16.0% | 21.5% |
| Ravenna city | 11,286 | $52,368 | $129,400 | 20.4% | 21.2% |
| Coshocton city | 11,056 | $48,819 | $121,400 | 20.4% | 25.1% |
| Franklin city | 11,670 | $58,134 | $170,800 | 14.3% | 21.1% |
Population Overview
Salem city is a small city located in Ohio. The total population is 11,805. It ranks as the 159th most populous out of 1,264 cities and towns in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem city is 40.6 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem city is $50,250. This is 28% lower than the state median of $69,680. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.2%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $117,400. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $199,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Salem city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 67.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Salem city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem city, Ohio 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 Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Salem city, Ohio?
Salem city, Ohio has a population of 11,805 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem city, OH?
The median household income in Salem city is $50,250, which is 36% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Salem city, OH?
The poverty rate in Salem city is 19.2%. This means approximately 2,198 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem city, Ohio?
Salem city's population is 96.2% White, 0.0% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem city, OH?
The median home value in Salem city is $117,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Salem city, Ohio?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Salem city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.