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Salem city, VA
1 city or town in Salem city, Virginia.
Population
25,618
Land area
15sq mi
People per sq mi
1,765
ZIP codes
0
Cities and towns in Salem city
Salem city at a glance
- Salem city is about 8 times as dense as Virginia as a whole.
- 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 city, VA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Salem city, VA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$66,725
Poverty rate
10.2%
Median home value
$258,600
Prices +3.2% in a year
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, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
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 city, 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 city, VA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: hurricane
Storm events since 1996
261
Most often 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 city, VA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
35.2%
U.S. 33.3% +1.9 pts
Diabetes
12.0%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
13.0%
U.S. 12.8% about the same
Uninsured (18-64)
7.7%
U.S. 11.1% -3.4 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Salem city
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Salem city, VA?
- Salem is the largest city or town in Salem city, with about 25,618 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Salem city?
- Salem city includes 0 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas.
- What is the population of Salem city, VA?
- About 25,618 people live in Salem city, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Salem city?
- Salem city borders Roanoke city, Roanoke County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023