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Salem city, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Salem city, Virginia has a total population of 25,477, the 44th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $66,716, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.

Salem city Quick Facts

Population 25,477
Median Household Income $66,716
Median Home Value $244,800
Poverty Rate 10.9%
Unemployment Rate 3.4%
Median Age 40.3 years
Homeownership Rate 63.5%
Affordability Ratio 3.7x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 31.1%
High School Graduation Rate 94.2%
Diversity Index 31/100
Population 25,477 44th of 681
Median Income $66,716 average
Poverty Rate 10.9% 13% lower national
Median Home Value $244,800 average

How Salem city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

3.4% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3% | National: 5.2%
60.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 63.5%
Renter 36.5%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.7x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

31out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 60 | National average: 60

Education

Salem city Rankings in Virginia

#44 Population of 681
#326 Median Income of 681
#291 Education of 681
#298 Home Value of 681

Explore Virginia Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Salem city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Staunton city25,765$62,586$239,30035.1%12.6%
Winchester city27,981$64,648$325,90031.6%19.3%
Bailey's Crossroads CDP25,458$84,241$398,20044.4%21.7%
Cave Spring CDP26,014$85,314$296,70050.4%6.7%
Christiansburg town22,820$75,451$242,90045.5%12.4%

Population Overview

Salem city is a mid-sized community located in Virginia, within Salem city. The total population is 25,477. It ranks as the 44th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Salem city is 40.3 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.8 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Salem city is $66,716. This is 27% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 15% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 9% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $244,800. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 63.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Salem city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.7%. The Black or African American population (7.7%) is well below the state average of 18.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.

Education

31.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 41.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Salem city, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Salem city, Virginia?

Salem city, Virginia has a population of 25,477 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Salem city, VA?

The median household income in Salem city is $66,716, which is 15% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Salem city, VA?

The poverty rate in Salem city is 10.9%. This means approximately 2,500 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Salem city, Virginia?

Salem city's population is 82.4% White, 7.7% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.

What is the median home value in Salem city, VA?

The median home value in Salem city is $244,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.

How educated is Salem city, Virginia?

31.1% of adults (25+) in Salem city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.