Salem, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Salem, West Virginia had a total population of 1,629, the 91st largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $38,529, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
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 | 1,812 | 1,629 | -10.1% |
| Median household income | $43,690 | $38,529 | -11.8% |
| Median home value | $77,200 | $77,800 | +0.8% |
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: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Salem Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Harrison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksburg | 15,549 | $47,386 | 23.5% | $129,900 |
| Bridgeport | 9,252 | $100,022 | 3.9% | $291,600 |
| Shinnston | 2,352 | $69,844 | 11.8% | $153,200 |
| Stonewood | 2,212 | $54,792 | 8.1% | $154,200 |
| Nutter Fort | 2,075 | $68,068 | 8.4% | $121,000 |
| Enterprise | 1,087 | $63,636 | 4.6% | $131,300 |
| Despard | 972 | $24,455 | 26.1% | $86,500 |
| Lumberport | 703 | $47,917 | 6.5% | $126,100 |
| East View | 604 | $54,782 | 4.6% | $66,500 |
| West Milford | 591 | $73,846 | 20.3% | $127,800 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sophia | 1,528 | $36,080 | $116,900 | 6.6% | 38.0% |
| MacArthur | 1,493 | $35,650 | $160,800 | 4.8% | 36.4% |
| Mount Hope | 1,504 | $34,375 | $101,000 | 12.2% | 32.3% |
| McMechen | 1,826 | $40,446 | $96,900 | 12.7% | 27.5% |
| Harrisville | 1,574 | $47,768 | $123,000 | 18.0% | 25.1% |
Population Overview
Salem is a small community located in West Virginia, within Harrison County. The total population is 1,629. It ranks as the 91st most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Salem is 32.6 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 42.7 years. Only 13.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Salem is $38,529. This is 35% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.8%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $77,800. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Salem is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Salem has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.9%.
Education
13.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 24.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Salem, West Virginia 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 West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia. 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, West Virginia?
Salem, West Virginia has a population of 1,629 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Salem, WV?
The median household income in Salem is $38,529, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Salem, WV?
The poverty rate in Salem is 16.8%. This means approximately 226 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Salem, West Virginia?
Salem's population is 92.8% White, 2.9% Black, 2.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Salem, WV?
The median home value in Salem is $77,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Salem, West Virginia?
13.9% of adults (25+) in Salem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.