Salem: Demographics & People
25,618 people call Salem home, in 10,256 households. Population grew 0.6% from 25,477 (2022) to 25,618 (2024). Median age 40.0 years. (2.2y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 20% of the population. Population is 82% White (non-Hispanic) and 9% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.26). 62% of households are family-led. County is gaining 298 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 35% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 38% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 64 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.6% from 25,477 (2022) to 25,618 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~25,759 (extrapolated at 0.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 25,947.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 25,346 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 25,477 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 25,618 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 25,618 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 25,947 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 40.0y is 1.1 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 20% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 40.0 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 19.5% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| 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 |
| Population under 18 | 4,989 |
| Median age | 40.0 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · 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). The Simpson diversity index is 0.26 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 21,389 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 1,983 |
| Asian residents | 495 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 1,139 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 26.0% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 85.5% |
| 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%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 81.6% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.8% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 4% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 17,004 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 7,257 |
| Share born in this state | 66.4% |
| Share born in another state | 33.6% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 28.3% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.8% |
| Naturalized citizens | 4.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 1,054 |
| From Europe | 270 |
| From Asia | 9 |
| From Africa | 392 |
| From Latin America | 19 |
| Census Foreign Born · South America | 7 |
Households & Family Composition
10,256 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 62% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 6,291 families, 25% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 4,834 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 6,291 |
| Married couples with children | 1,580 |
| Single-parent households | 245 |
| Average household size | 2.27 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 13.8% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 390 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 40 |
| Family households | 6,328 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 61.7% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 10,256 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 11.6% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 298 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 11.6% |
|---|---|
| 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 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
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.
| Residents with a disability | 1,327 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.4% |
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. 2,285 residents live in group quarters (8.9% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 2,285 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 9 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51775 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 775 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Salem City |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 9.4% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 7.10 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 12.00 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51775 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Salem city |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 3,453 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51775 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Salem city |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 51.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 46.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 0.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 25,301 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 15 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 13 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 19.5% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 25,618, stable, established, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 25,618 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Salem city |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade