Salem, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, Ohio had a total population of 11,758, the 159th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $47,073, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 11,805 | 11,758 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $50,250 | $47,073 | -6.3% |
| Median home value | $117,400 | $119,400 | +1.7% |
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Mahoning County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown | 59,331 | $34,408 | 37.3% | $63,300 |
| Austintown | 30,164 | $52,978 | 16.9% | $144,300 |
| Struthers | 9,923 | $53,447 | 15.0% | $100,100 |
| Campbell | 7,784 | $42,909 | 31.1% | $82,300 |
| Canfield | 7,649 | $97,439 | 4.1% | $254,800 |
| Sebring | 4,146 | $49,541 | 20.3% | $90,300 |
| Mineral Ridge | 3,657 | $59,161 | 6.0% | $154,600 |
| Poland | 2,357 | $92,417 | 3.5% | $199,700 |
| Woodworth | 1,824 | $60,417 | 11.8% | $146,300 |
| New Middletown | 1,550 | $50,375 | 12.3% | $173,300 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coshocton | 11,068 | $48,731 | $139,700 | 20.0% | 25.9% |
| Greenville | 12,741 | $47,237 | $157,800 | 16.3% | 14.2% |
| Bucyrus | 11,594 | $54,349 | $128,600 | 12.5% | 14.9% |
| Ironton | 10,768 | $47,648 | $106,700 | 18.8% | 23.7% |
| Franklin | 11,712 | $58,587 | $183,100 | 15.8% | 22.5% |
Population Overview
Salem is a small city located in Ohio, within Mahoning County. The total population is 11,758. It ranks as the 159th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 42.0 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem is $47,073. This is 34% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 60% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. 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 6.2%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $119,400. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Salem has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.6%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 12.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, Ohio 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 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. 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, Ohio?
Salem, Ohio has a population of 11,758 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, OH?
The median household income in Salem is $47,073, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, OH?
The poverty rate in Salem is 21.3%. This means approximately 2,436 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, Ohio?
Salem's population is 95.9% White, 0.1% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, OH?
The median home value in Salem is $119,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Salem, Ohio?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.