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Salem, VA
City in Salem city, Virginia. ZIP codes: 24153.
Population
25,618
Land area
14.5sq mi
People per sq mi
1,765
ZIP codes
1
Salem and its ZIP codes
Salem at a glance
- Salem is about 8 times as dense as Virginia as a whole.
- It is the 45th most populous of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.
- Households here earn a median of $66,725 a year, 28% less than the Virginia figure of $93,170.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $258,600 (33% below Virginia) and median rent is $1,133 a month.
Local data for Salem, VA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Salem, VA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$66,725
Poverty rate
10.2%
Median home value
$258,600
Median rent
$1,133/mo
Homeownership
62.8%
Bachelor's or higher
33.0%
Median age
40.0
Average commute
19.0 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (2,651), Irish Americans (2,244), Scottish Americans (622).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Salem city. PPP loans are for Salem.
Unemployment rate
3.5%
Aug 2026, 0.0 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$66,432
20,590 jobs, 2025
Federal spending
$307M
FY 2026, $12,129 per person
How people get to work
Salem, VA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone76.7%
- Carpooled6.9%
- Public transit0.1%
- Walked5.1%
- Bicycle0.1%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.2%
- Worked from home10.8%
Average one-way commute: 19.0 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Salem, VA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: hurricane
Storm events since 1996
261
Countywide, mostly high wind
Flood insurance policies
135
1.5% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
88° / 29°F
42.8 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone14 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Salem, VA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
35.0%
U.S. 33.3% +1.7 pts
Diabetes
12.3%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
12.9%
U.S. 12.8% about the same
Uninsured (18-64)
7.6%
U.S. 11.1% -3.5 pts
ZIP codes in Salem
1 in or overlapping Salem. Population shown
Cities near Salem
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| GlenvarCensus-designated place | 3.1 mi | 1.4 |
| Cave SpringCensus-designated place | 5 mi | 11.9 |
| RoanokeCity | 6.2 mi | 42.5 |
| HollinsCensus-designated place | 7.4 mi | 8.6 |
| LafayetteCensus-designated place | 8.2 mi | 0.6 |
| CloverdaleCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 3.1 |
| VintonTown | 10 mi | 3.1 |
| EllistonCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 1.1 |
| DalevilleCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 4.3 |
| ShawsvilleCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 2.4 |
| LaymantownCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 2.9 |
| Boones MillTown | 14 mi | 0.7 |
| TroutvilleTown | 14 mi | 0.7 |
| New CastleTown | 15 mi | 0.2 |
| Blue RidgeCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 6.1 |
| StewartsvilleCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 2.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Salem, VA in?
- Salem is in Salem city, Virginia.
- What ZIP codes are in Salem, VA?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Salem include 24153.
- What is the population of Salem, VA?
- About 25,618 people live in Salem, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Salem?
- Nearby places include Glenvar (3.1 mi), Cave Spring (5 mi), Roanoke (6.2 mi), Hollins (7.4 mi), Lafayette (8.2 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023