Salem, AR Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,487	1,416	91.8%	90.4%
Multiracial	77	104	4.8%	6.6%
Black	40	9	2.5%	0.6%
Hispanic	12	24	0.7%	1.5%
Asian	4	2	0.2%	0.1%
Native American/Other	0	11	0.0%	0.7%

Salem, Arkansas has an estimated population of 1,620, an increase from the 1,566 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 91.8% White, 4.8% Multiracial, 2.5% Black, 0.7% Hispanic, 0.2% Asian, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Salem, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Salem has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Arkansas overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Salem, that probability was 17.8% in 2020 and 15.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salem is ranked the 170th most populous place in Arkansas, out of 625 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Salem was ranked the 164th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salem's White Population

1,487 residents of Salem, or 91.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salem is significantly higher than in Arkansas overall, where 67.4% of the population is White. Salem ranks 146th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's White population has grown by an estimated 5.0%. White residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 90.4% to 91.8%.

Salem is more White than neighboring Viola (78.9% White), Horseshoe Bend (86.4% White), Oxford (87.3% White), and Violet Hill (0% White). Salem is less White than neighboring Franklin (92.9% White).

Salem's Black Population

40 residents of Salem, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salem is considerably lower than in Arkansas overall, where 14.6% of the population is Black. Salem ranks 390th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Black population has grown by an estimated 344.4%. Black residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 0.6% to 2.5%.

Salem is more Black than neighboring Viola (0% Black), Horseshoe Bend (1.6% Black), Oxford (0% Black), and Violet Hill (0% Black). Salem is less Black than neighboring Franklin (3.9% Black).

Salem's Asian Population

4 residents of Salem, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Salem ranks 323rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Asian population has grown by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Salem is more Asian than neighboring Viola (0% Asian), Franklin (0% Asian), and Violet Hill (0% Asian). Salem is less Asian than neighboring Oxford (4.4% Asian).

Salem's Hispanic Population

12 residents of Salem, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salem is lower than in Arkansas overall, where 9% of the population is Hispanic. Salem ranks 494th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 50.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 1.5% to 0.7%.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Viola (0.3% Hispanic), and Violet Hill (0% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Horseshoe Bend (2.3% Hispanic), and Oxford (0.9% Hispanic).

Salem's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Salem, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Salem ranks 307th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 0.7% to 0.0%.

Salem is less Native American/Other than neighboring Horseshoe Bend (0.1% Native American/Other), and Franklin (0.4% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

77 residents of Salem, or 4.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 6.3% of the population is Multiracial. Salem ranks 132nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 625 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 26.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 6.6% to 4.8%.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Franklin (2.1% Multiracial), and Violet Hill (0% Multiracial). Salem is less Multiracial than neighboring Viola (20.8% Multiracial), Horseshoe Bend (9.4% Multiracial), and Oxford (7.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.