Checked
Salem, IL
City in Marion County, Illinois.
Population
7,236
Land area
7sq mi
People per sq mi
1,035
ZIP codes
0
Salem and its ZIP codes
Salem at a glance
- Salem is about 4.5 times as dense as Illinois as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 277th among 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
- The median household income is $59,728, 28% below the Illinois median of $83,390.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $106,100 (60% below Illinois) and median rent is $774 a month.
Local data for Salem, IL
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Salem, IL, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$59,728
Poverty rate
16.3%
Median home value
$106,100
Median rent
$774/mo
Homeownership
65.0%
Bachelor's or higher
15.6%
Median age
39.1
Average commute
13.9 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (1,762), Irish Americans (874), Polish Americans (105).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Marion County. PPP loans are for Salem.
Unemployment rate
4.2%
Aug 2026, -0.9 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$51,566
12,335 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$56,066
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$258M
FY 2026, $6,847 per person
How people get to work
Salem, IL, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone84.6%
- Carpooled8.3%
- Public transit0.3%
- Walked1.1%
- Bicycle1.3%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.1%
- Worked from home4.2%
Average one-way commute: 13.9 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Salem, IL, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: earthquake
Storm events since 1996
427
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
18
0.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
88° / 21°F
45.9 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone3 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Salem, IL, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
39.4%
U.S. 33.3% +6.1 pts
Diabetes
13.4%
U.S. 12.1% +1.3 pts
Smoking
17.2%
U.S. 12.8% +4.4 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
8.7%
U.S. 11.1% -2.4 pts
Cities near Salem
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| OdinVillage | 5.7 mi | 1 |
| AlmaVillage | 6.8 mi | 1.1 |
| IukaVillage | 8.8 mi | 0.7 |
| SandovalVillage | 9.2 mi | 1 |
| Junction CityVillage | 10 mi | 0.7 |
| KellVillage | 10 mi | 1 |
| Central CityVillage | 11 mi | 0.6 |
| KinmundyCity | 11 mi | 1.2 |
| PatokaVillage | 12 mi | 1.1 |
| Walnut HillVillage | 12 mi | 0.4 |
| DixVillage | 13 mi | 2.1 |
| CentraliaCity | 13 mi | 8.2 |
| VernonVillage | 14 mi | 0.9 |
| WamacCity | 14 mi | 1.4 |
| FarinaVillage | 15 mi | 1.5 |
| XeniaVillage | 17 mi | 0.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Salem, IL in?
- Salem is in Marion County, Illinois.
- What is the population of Salem, IL?
- About 7,236 people live in Salem, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Salem?
- Nearby places include Odin (5.7 mi), Alma (6.8 mi), Iuka (8.8 mi), Sandoval (9.2 mi), Junction City (10 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023