Salem, South Dakota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, South Dakota had a total population of 1,216, the 65th largest city in South Dakota, with a median household income of $74,881, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 5.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.8%.
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 | 1,201 | 1,216 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $71,655 | $74,881 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $163,500 | $166,700 | +2.0% |
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: 35 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem Rankings in South Dakota
Explore South Dakota Rankings
Other Cities in McCook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canistota | 711 | $76,250 | 14.1% | $137,000 |
| Montrose | 483 | $78,125 | 7.4% | $239,700 |
| Bridgewater | 451 | $47,083 | 10.8% | $116,100 |
| Spencer | 103 | $67,188 | 2.9% | $155,600 |
| Golden View Colony | 60 | N/A | 70.0% | N/A |
| Orland Colony | 37 | N/A | 0.0% | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platte | 1,161 | $72,700 | $179,200 | 22.4% | 14.7% |
| Gettysburg | 1,260 | $63,929 | $125,000 | 28.3% | 4.8% |
| Parker | 1,280 | $89,676 | $231,100 | 19.9% | 11.1% |
| Garretson | 1,176 | $59,741 | $203,800 | 28.2% | 5.3% |
| Clear Lake | 1,327 | $84,792 | $162,500 | 26.5% | 9.8% |
Population Overview
Salem is a small community located in South Dakota, within McCook County. The total population is 1,216. It ranks as the 65th most populous out of 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 39.6 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.0 years. 11.3% 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 Salem is $74,881. This is about the same as the state median of $75,081. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.6%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.9%. The unemployment rate is 0.8%. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 2.9%. The median home value is $166,700. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $257,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Salem has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%.
Education
26.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, South 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 South Dakota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 439 Census-designated places in South Dakota. 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, South Dakota?
Salem, South Dakota has a population of 1,216 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, SD?
The median household income in Salem is $74,881, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, SD?
The poverty rate in Salem is 5.6%. This means approximately 66 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, South Dakota?
Salem's population is 87.9% White, 0.0% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, SD?
The median home value in Salem is $166,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Salem, South Dakota?
26.6% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.