Salem city: Demographics & People
25,618 people call Salem city home, in 10,256 households. Median age 40.0 years. (2.2y older than Virginia). Population is 9% Black and 5% Hispanic or Latino. County is gaining 298 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 36% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 64 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 25,618; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 25,618 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 25,346 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 40.0y is 1.1 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 25,618 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 4,989 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 6,318.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 9,295.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 5,016 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 19.5% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 24.7% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 36.3% |
| Median age | 40.0 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 25,618 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 25,618 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 21,128 |
| Black residents | 2,217 |
| Asian residents | 503 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 67 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 555 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 1,148 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 1,227 |
| Diversity Index | 30.9% |
| Asian population | 2.0% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 8.7% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 4.8% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 15.1% are foreign-born — above the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 25,618 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 24,471 |
| Residents born in this state | 17,004 |
| Residents born in another state | 7,257 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 3,856 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 425 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 210 |
| Foreign-born residents | 15.1% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
10,256 households.
| Family households | 6,328 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 10,256 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is gaining 298 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 24,136 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 23,838 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 298 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2022-2023
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Census Disability · Total Pop | 24,854 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 3,143 |
| Pct With Disability | 12.7% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 0 residents live in group quarters.
| Census Group Quarters · Total | 2,285 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 25,316 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 22,367 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 747 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 1,763 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 376 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 63 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 2,949 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 11.7% |
| Pct White | 82.5% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29