Living in Salem, South Dakota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Salem · Census data 2020–2024
Salem has 1,216 residents with a median age of 39.6. The median household income is $74,881 (about the same as the South Dakota median), the median home value is $166,700, the median rent is $965/month.
Salem is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Salem at a glance
- Population
- 1,216
- Median age
- 39.6State: 38
- Median household income
- $74,881State: $75,081
- Median home value
- $166,700State: $257,400
- Median rent
- $965/moState: $946
- Homeowners
- 68%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26.6%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Salem a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 35% lower than the state median; unemployment of 0.8%; a poverty rate of 5.6%.
Cons: Median household income about the same as the South Dakota median; an average commute of 23 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Salem
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Salem the median home value is $166,700, 50% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $965 per month, which is 28.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,186 a month in housing costs.
Salem median household income
The median household income in Salem is $74,881 and the income per person is $36,486. 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line (South Dakota: 11.9%).
Housing in Salem: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 627
- Owner-occupied
- 68%
- Renter-occupied
- 32%
- Vacant
- 17.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 2.28
Salem demographics
- Population
- 1,216
- Median age
- 39.6
- Under 18
- 27.6%
- 65 and older
- 23.1%
- Households
- 518
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 6.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Salem ›
Education in Salem
26.6% of adults 25 and older in Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Dakota: 31.9%), and 10% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Salem
- Unemployment rate
- 0.8%State: 2.9%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 18 min
- Work from home
- 7%
- Drive alone
- 82.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 4.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.1%
Salem vs nearby towns
More for people moving to Salem
Salem ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Salem: FAQ
What is the median household income in Salem, SD?
The median household income in Salem is $74,881, about the same as the South Dakota median of $75,081 (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 $166,700, compared with $257,400 in South Dakota.
How much is rent in Salem?
The median gross rent in Salem is $965 per month, about 28.4% of household income.
Is Salem, SD a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 35% lower than the state median; unemployment of 0.8%; a poverty rate of 5.6%. Minuses: median household income about the same as the South Dakota median; an average commute of 23 minutes.
What is the median age in Salem?
The median age in Salem is 39.6 years (South Dakota: 38).
How long is the commute in Salem?
The average commute to work in Salem is 23 minutes; 7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Salem?
The unemployment rate in Salem is 0.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Salem?
26.6% 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.
Last updated: