Salem, Virginia facts for kids

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See also: Salem, Page County, Virginia
Salem, Virginia
Independent city
Main Street in Salem
Main Street in Salem
Official seal of Salem, Virginia
Location Commonwealth of Virginia
Location Commonwealth of Virginia
Country United States
State Virginia
County None (Independent city)
 • Total 14.5 sq mi (38 km2)
 • Land 14.4 sq mi (37 km2)
 • Water 0.1 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 1,075 ft (358.14 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 24,802
 • Density 1,710/sq mi (660.4/km2)
Time zone EST (UTC−5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC−4)
FIPS code 51-70000
GNIS feature ID 1498533


Salem is bordered by the city of Roanoke and is included in the same Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is located approximately 120 miles (190 km) from Charlottesville, 104 miles (167 km) from Greensboro, North Carolina, and 250 miles (400 km) from Knoxville, Tennessee.

Roanoke College is located in the city. The NCAA Division III National Football Championship, also known as the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, as well as the Division III Men's Basketball Championship, are held there annually. Salem is also the home to a minor league baseball team, the Salem Red Sox, formerly the Salem Avalanche.



Salem annexed South Salem in 1953 and also an eastern tract in 1960, giving it a population of 16,058 – making it Virginia's largest town at the time. Salem officially became a city on December 31, 1967, to avoid the possibility of annexation into the city of Roanoke.




Salem is located at Missing latitude in Module:Coordinates.formatTest()
(37.286895, -80.055836).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.5 square miles (37.6 km2), of which 14.4 square miles (37.3 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2) (0.7%) is water.


Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 612
1870 1,355 121.4%
1880 1,759 29.8%
1890 3,279 86.4%
1900 3,412 4.1%
1910 3,849 12.8%
1920 4,159 8.1%
1930 4,833 16.2%
1940 5,737 18.7%
1950 6,823 18.9%
1960 16,058 135.4%
1970 21,982 36.9%
1980 23,958 9.0%
1990 23,756 −0.8%
2000 24,747 4.2%
2010 24,802 0.2%
Est. 2015 25,432 2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2013

As of the census of 2000, there were 24,747 people, 9,954 households, and 6,539 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,696.4 people per square mile (654.9/km²). There were 10,403 housing units at an average density of 713.1 per square mile (275.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.88% White, 5.88% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.97% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.

There were 9,954 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city, the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,997, and the median income for a family was $47,174. Males had a median income of $32,472 versus $23,193 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,091. About 4.3% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.


The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Salem has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Salem, Virginia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.