Living in Salem, Kentucky
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Salem · Census data 2020–2024
Salem has 780 residents with a median age of 45.3. The median household income is $61,667 (3% lower than the Kentucky median), the median home value is $102,400, the median rent is $678/month.
Salem is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Salem at a glance
- Population
- 780
- Median age
- 45.3State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $61,667State: $63,726
- Median home value
- $102,400State: $205,600
- Median rent
- $678/moState: $967
- Homeowners
- 83.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.8%
- Average commute
- 33 min
Is Salem a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 50% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3%.
Cons: Median household income 3% lower than the Kentucky median; an average commute of 33 minutes; a poverty rate of 25.5%.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Salem
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Salem the median home value is $102,400, 69% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $678 per month, which is 27.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,217 a month in housing costs.
Salem median household income
The median household income in Salem is $61,667 and the income per person is $27,749. 25.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Kentucky: 16.1%).
Housing in Salem: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 306
- Owner-occupied
- 83.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 16.4%
- Vacant
- 12.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 2.69
Salem demographics
- Population
- 780
- Median age
- 45.3
- Under 18
- 20.6%
- 65 and older
- 27.3%
- Households
- 268
- Foreign-born
- 0.3%
- Veterans
- 3.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Salem ›
Education in Salem
14.8% of adults 25 and older in Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher (Kentucky: 27.6%), and 8.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Salem
- Unemployment rate
- 3%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 33 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 4.1%
- Drive alone
- 83%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 4.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.1%
Salem vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 780 | $61,667 | $102,400 | $678 |
| Marion | 2,886 | $39,414 | $97,300 | $688 |
| Fredonia | 466 | $66,964 | $108,500 | $950 |
| Smithland | 203 | $36,563 | $98,000 | $1,107 |
| Rosiclare | 961 | $43,725 | $60,900 | $440 |
| Elizabethtown | 396 | $23,077 | $125,000 | $241 |
| Cave-In-Rock | 210 | $29,250 | $40,000 | $490 |
| Golconda | 691 | $41,875 | $69,300 | $393 |
| Kuttawa | 588 | $78,214 | $292,200 | — |
More for people moving to Salem
Salem ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Salem: FAQ
What is the median household income in Salem, KY?
The median household income in Salem is $61,667, 3% lower than the Kentucky median of $63,726 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Salem?
The median home value in Salem is $102,400, compared with $205,600 in Kentucky.
How much is rent in Salem?
The median gross rent in Salem is $678 per month, about 27.5% of household income.
Is Salem, KY a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 50% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3%. Minuses: median household income 3% lower than the Kentucky median; an average commute of 33 minutes; a poverty rate of 25.5%.
What is the median age in Salem?
The median age in Salem is 45.3 years (Kentucky: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Salem?
The average commute to work in Salem is 33 minutes; 4.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Salem?
The unemployment rate in Salem is 3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Salem?
14.8% of adults in Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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