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Salem, SD
City in McCook County, South Dakota.
Population
1,216
Land area
1.3sq mi
People per sq mi
973
ZIP codes
0
Salem and its ZIP codes
Salem at a glance
- Salem is about 81 times as dense as South Dakota as a whole.
- It is the 65th most populous of 439 cities and towns in South Dakota.
- The median household income is $74,881, close to the South Dakota median.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $166,700 (35% below South Dakota) and median rent is $965 a month.
Local data for Salem, SD
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Salem, SD, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$74,881
Poverty rate
5.6%
Median home value
$166,700
Median rent
$965/mo
Homeownership
68.0%
Bachelor's or higher
26.6%
Median age
39.6
Average commute
22.9 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (378), Norwegian Americans (108), Mexican Americans (78).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for McCook County. PPP loans are for Salem.
Unemployment rate
1.8%
Aug 2026, -0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$53,838
1,404 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$75,927
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$44.1M
FY 2026, $7,761 per person
How people get to work
Salem, SD, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone82.7%
- Carpooled6.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked4.3%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home7.0%
Average one-way commute: 22.9 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Salem, SD, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: winter weather
Storm events since 1996
675
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
20
0.4% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
83° / 5°F
27.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone3 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Salem, SD, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
35.4%
U.S. 33.3% +2.1 pts
Diabetes
11.7%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
13.5%
U.S. 12.8% +0.7 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
7.9%
U.S. 11.1% -3.2 pts
Cities near Salem
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Golden View ColonyCensus-designated place | 3.5 mi | 1 |
| CanistotaCity | 9.8 mi | 0.6 |
| SpencerCity | 10 mi | 0.3 |
| MontroseCity | 10 mi | 0.4 |
| Orland ColonyCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 0.5 |
| CanovaTown | 12 mi | 0.3 |
| BridgewaterCity | 13 mi | 1.1 |
| EmeryCity | 14 mi | 0.5 |
| FarmerTown | 15 mi | 0.1 |
| Graceville ColonyCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 0.5 |
| DoltonTown | 16 mi | 0.3 |
| HumboldtTown | 17 mi | 0.6 |
| Rustic Acres ColonyCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 1 |
| Shannon ColonyCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 0.3 |
| MonroeTown | 18 mi | 0.4 |
| WinfredCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Salem, SD in?
- Salem is in McCook County, South Dakota.
- What is the population of Salem, SD?
- About 1,216 people live in Salem, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Salem?
- Nearby places include Golden View Colony (3.5 mi), Canistota (9.8 mi), Spencer (10 mi), Montrose (10 mi), Orland Colony (12 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023