Salem, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, South Carolina had a total population of 177, the 417th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $62,143, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
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 | 208 | 177 | -14.9% |
| Median household income | $63,750 | $62,143 | -2.5% |
| Median home value | $154,800 | $167,500 | +8.2% |
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: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Oconee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca | 8,993 | $52,022 | 22.1% | $240,000 |
| Walhalla | 4,157 | $36,327 | 45.9% | $171,900 |
| Keowee Key | 3,351 | $124,788 | 2.1% | $556,000 |
| Westminster | 2,521 | $40,946 | 21.3% | $178,100 |
| Utica | 1,339 | $55,179 | 26.8% | $145,400 |
| Chickasaw Point | 620 | $84,875 | 8.7% | $350,700 |
| South Union | 447 | N/A | 10.7% | N/A |
| Newry | 412 | $45,407 | 26.0% | $303,400 |
| West Union | 370 | $48,393 | 6.2% | $147,700 |
| Tamassee | 35 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oswego | 172 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Tradesville | 174 | $59,625 | $172,500 | 0.0% | 5.2% |
| Vance | 166 | N/A | N/A | 16.3% | 21.7% |
| Lydia | 190 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 18.4% |
| Stuckey | 190 | N/A | $92,700 | 19.3% | 12.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 177, 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
Salem is a small community located in South Carolina, within Oconee County. The total population is 177. It ranks as the 417th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 49.5 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem is $62,143. This is 10% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Salem, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $167,500. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Salem has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
9.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 73.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, South 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 South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Salem, South Carolina?
Salem, South Carolina has a population of 177 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, SC?
The median household income in Salem is $62,143, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, SC?
The poverty rate in Salem is 11.5%. This means approximately 20 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, South Carolina?
Salem's population is 90.4% White, 0.0% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, SC?
The median home value in Salem is $167,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Salem, South Carolina?
9.1% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.