Population 10,569 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Salem: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Salem
Household size in Salem
| Period | Salem | Provo area | Utah | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.87 | 3.64 | 3.21 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.60 | 3.76 | 3.28 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.93 | 3.67 | 3.25 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.55 | 3.51 | 3.11 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.32 | −0.13 | −0.09 | −0.03 |
Households in Salem are large by national standards, averaging 3.55 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.87, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 | Provo area | Utah | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.0 | 25.1 | 29.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 29.3 | 25.4 | 30.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 28.5 | 26.3 | 32.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.0 | 27.4 | 33.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.0 | +2.3 | +3.2 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 32.0, Salem is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Locally, though, the population here is older than in the Provo area as a whole, where the median age is 27.4. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 26.0, mirroring the country.
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 | Provo area | Utah | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.4% | 7.5% | 9.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 7.9% | 9.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 7.3% | 9.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.2% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Salem: 7.2% of households, against 11.6% nationally. That is in line with the rest of the Provo area. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 2.8 points, even as the national share fell.
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 | Provo area | Utah | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.9% | 30.3% | 28.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.7% | 32.4% | 30.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 9.5% | 32.1% | 29.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 6.4% | 31.4% | 29.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −6.5 pts | +1.1 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Salem is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 6.4% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About a quarter of owners (25.6%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 6.5 points, even as the national share rose.
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 | Provo area | Utah | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.0% | 7.1% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.8% | 5.7% | 8.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.8% | 5.5% | 8.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 1.6% | 5.2% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.4 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 1.6% of homes in Salem are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 5.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Utah city with 5,000+ people has a lower vacancy rate.
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 | Provo area | Utah | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1989 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1993 | 1990 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1995 | 1993 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2001 | 2000 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +14 | +10 | +8 | +6 |
Salem has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2001, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the northeast has the oldest housing.
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 | Provo area | Utah | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,083 | $1,011 | $971 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,021 | $1,149 | $1,064 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,260 | $1,320 | $1,222 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,502 | $1,800 | $1,701 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$420 | +$789 | +$729 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Salem costs $1,502 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in the Provo area overall ($1,800). Rent has climbed $420 a month since 2006–10, up 39%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 18.8% 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 | Provo area | Utah | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.1% | 35.5% | 29.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 34.7% | 37.3% | 31.2% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.6% | 40.7% | 34.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 36.0% | 45.1% | 38.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +9.5 pts | +8.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Salem as nationally: 36.0% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share is lower than in the wider Provo area (45.1%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.8 points, in line with the national trend.
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 | Provo area | Utah | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.1% | 94.1% | 91.1% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.6% | 94.1% | 91.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.1% | 94.9% | 92.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.5% | 95.4% | 93.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.4 pts | +1.3 pts | +2.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Salem: 96.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of the Provo area. The share with a diploma is up 3.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | Provo area | Utah | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.5% | 5.5% | 5.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.9% | 6.4% | 6.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.4% | 3.5% | 3.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.6% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −1.9 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Salem than nationally: unemployment was 3.6%, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged down 0.9 points, a smaller shift than nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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 | 3.55 | 32.0 | 7.2% | 6.4% | 1.6% | 2001 | $1,502 | 36.0% | 96.5% | 3.6% |
| Elk Ridge | 3.68 | 32.4 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 2011 | $1,625 | 43.8% | 98.5% | 3.6% |
| Woodland Hills | 3.95 | 35.8 | 12.3% | 4.7% | 1.8% | 2001 | $1,190 | 46.6% | 95.7% | 1.0% |
| Payson | 3.36 | 31.4 | 12.3% | 17.9% | 6.6% | 1994 | $1,484 | 29.2% | 93.3% | 5.1% |
| Spanish Fork | 3.64 | 27.7 | 9.1% | 21.0% | 3.9% | 1998 | $1,630 | 39.9% | 94.9% | 3.0% |
| Spring Lake | 3.95 | 29.2 | 4.9% | 3.2% | 3.0% | 2008 | $1,792 | 43.8% | 95.3% | 2.9% |
| Mapleton | 3.76 | 27.0 | 10.0% | 15.0% | 3.9% | 2006 | $1,268 | 53.3% | 97.2% | 2.3% |
| Lake Shore | 3.52 | 29.4 | 6.4% | 41.5% | 10.1% | 2003 | $1,678 | 33.7% | 92.5% | 7.5% |
| Palmyra | 2.45 | 36.1 | 8.3% | 57.4% | 18.5% | 2013 | $1,721 | 27.4% | 89.3% | 3.4% |
| Santaquin | 3.65 | 27.8 | 7.1% | 10.0% | 4.1% | 2007 | $1,517 | 29.8% | 94.4% | 1.7% |
| Springville | 3.39 | 28.9 | 7.4% | 27.3% | 4.5% | 1993 | $1,699 | 39.7% | 94.1% | 2.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: La Trocha, PR · Kodak, TN · Kosciusko, MS · Kronenwetter, WI · Krum, TX · Kula, HI · La Center, WA · La Cumbre, PR · La Joya, TX · La Junta, CO
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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.