Population 1,329 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Salem
Household size in Salem
| Period | Salem | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.40 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.49 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.31 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.44 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Salem run small, averaging 2.44 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Kentucky as a whole looks much the same.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Salem
| Period | Salem | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 47.8 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 48.3 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 49.6 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 51.9 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.0 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 51.9, Salem is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 47.8 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Salem
| Period | Salem | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.6% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.2% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.2% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.7% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in twelve households in Salem (8.7%), below the national share of 11.6%.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Salem
Renters in Salem
| Period | Salem | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.2% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.2% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.1% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 10.7% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −7.6 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 10.7% of households in Salem rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Nearly two-thirds of owners (64.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Salem
| Period | Salem | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.2% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.9% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.5% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.8% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Salem: 19.8% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Salem
| Period | Salem | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1967 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1972 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1975 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Salem run a bit older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1975 against 1980.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Salem
| Period | Salem | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $571 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $570 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $598 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $592 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$21 | +$367 | +$606 |
The median renter in Salem pays $592 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 26.2% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Salem
Bachelor's degrees in Salem
| Period | Salem | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.8% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.8% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.6 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Salem have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 14.8%, against 35.6% nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Salem
| Period | Salem | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.6% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.2% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 82.3% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.8% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.1 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Salem have finished high school as nationally: 90.8%, against 89.3%. The rate is higher than in Kentucky as a whole (88.8%).
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Salem
| Period | Salem | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.3% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 15.8% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.9% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.7% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Salem has been low: just 1.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Salem compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 2.44 | 51.9 | 8.7% | 10.7% | 19.8% | 1975 | $592 | 14.8% | 90.8% | 1.7% |
| Lola | 2.30 | 48.1 | 14.4% | 10.0% | 35.2% | 1972 | $653 | 20.2% | 95.6% | 0.3% |
| Burna | 3.09 | 43.6 | 18.7% | 22.9% | 21.9% | 1984 | $569 | 14.2% | 91.9% | 3.5% |
| Sheridan | 2.64 | 48.5 | 4.6% | 10.2% | 17.7% | 1984 | $693 | 8.7% | 88.6% | 4.9% |
| Hampton | 3.09 | 39.9 | 23.5% | 24.4% | 25.1% | 1984 | $661 | 18.0% | 94.1% | 4.4% |
| Tiline | 2.39 | 48.8 | 5.7% | 6.9% | 18.0% | 1991 | $843 | 13.5% | 88.0% | 4.0% |
| Mexico | 2.37 | 45.8 | 9.4% | 17.3% | 22.6% | 1977 | $820 | 14.6% | 84.6% | 4.5% |
| Dycusburg | 2.09 | 53.6 | 6.6% | 18.8% | 13.0% | 1983 | $906 | 10.3% | 82.2% | 9.1% |
| Marion | 2.44 | 44.8 | 14.3% | 22.7% | 17.4% | 1973 | $747 | 15.9% | 86.5% | 2.5% |
| Crayne | 2.60 | 40.4 | 20.0% | 25.4% | 14.7% | 1970 | $752 | 14.8% | 84.3% | 1.9% |
| Carrsville | 2.23 | 49.4 | 15.1% | 9.2% | 37.6% | 1970 | $661 | 23.0% | 97.9% | 0.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Tison, GA · Cassadaga, NY · Cherokee, OK · China Grove, TX · Cleveland, MO · Cloverdale, OH · Taylor, MS · Thayer, KS · Three Springs, PA · Allons, TN
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Salem. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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