West Salem, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Salem, Ohio had a total population of 1,033, the 673rd largest village in Ohio, with a median household income of $62,042, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 5.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
West Salem Quick Facts
How West 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 | 1,301 | 1,033 | -20.6% |
| Median household income | $57,917 | $62,042 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $123,000 | $125,900 | +2.4% |
How West 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+)
West Salem Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wooster | 26,971 | $66,898 | 9.2% | $214,200 |
| Orrville | 8,343 | $72,569 | 15.2% | $188,900 |
| Doylestown | 3,048 | $79,181 | 3.1% | $268,500 |
| Dalton | 1,636 | $68,571 | 4.1% | $183,300 |
| Shreve | 1,552 | $66,220 | 10.3% | $145,200 |
| Smithville | 1,330 | $71,944 | 6.7% | $197,100 |
| Apple Creek | 963 | $71,250 | 7.4% | $191,400 |
| Marshallville | 707 | $59,821 | 6.0% | $172,300 |
| Kidron | 608 | $70,227 | 1.6% | $201,900 |
| Fredericksburg | 452 | $75,909 | 1.3% | $168,400 |
Cities Similar to West Salem
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convoy | 1,040 | $61,094 | $99,100 | 12.1% | 17.2% |
| New Washington | 1,045 | $62,446 | $114,800 | 14.6% | 8.9% |
| Ansonia | 1,051 | $61,953 | $118,900 | 9.8% | 17.2% |
| Bradner | 1,053 | $64,286 | $133,300 | 9.3% | 12.1% |
| Williamsport | 1,032 | $57,386 | $155,200 | 13.2% | 20.7% |
Population Overview
West Salem is a small community located in Ohio, within Wayne County. The total population is 1,033. It ranks as the 673rd most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Salem is 46.0 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Salem is $62,042. This is 13% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $125,900. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, West Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
West Salem has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
5.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 83% 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 89.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West 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 West Salem, Ohio?
West Salem, Ohio has a population of 1,033 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Salem, OH?
The median household income in West Salem is $62,042, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Salem, OH?
The poverty rate in West Salem is 13.9%. This means approximately 143 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Salem, Ohio?
West Salem's population is 97.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Salem, OH?
The median home value in West Salem is $125,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is West Salem, Ohio?
5.4% of adults (25+) in West Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.