Salem County Demographics

A map of Salem County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	20,895	20,673	81.6%	81.6%
Black	2,217	1,913	8.7%	7.5%
Hispanic	1,227	1,088	4.8%	4.3%
Multiracial	514	1,025	2.0%	4.0%
Asian	503	534	2.0%	2.1%
Native American/Other	262	113	1.0%	0.4%

Salem County, Virginia has an estimated population of 25,618, a slight increase from the 25,346 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 81.6% White, 8.7% Black, 4.8% Hispanic, 2.0% Asian, 2.0% Multiracial, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Salem County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Salem is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Virginia overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Salem County, that probability was 32.5% in 2020 and 32.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salem County is ranked the 69th most populous county in Virginia, out of 133 counties. Salem County was ranked the 69th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Salem County's White Population

20,895 residents of Salem County, or 81.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salem County is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Salem County ranks 43rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem County's White population has grown by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of Salem County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 81.6%.

Salem County is more White than neighboring Roanoke County (55.3% White), and Montgomery County (80.9% White). Salem County is less White than neighboring Roanoke County (82.3% White), Craig County (95.5% White), and Franklin County (85.6% White).

Salem County's Black Population

2,217 residents of Salem County, or 8.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salem County is lower than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Salem County ranks 85th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem County's Black population has grown by an estimated 15.9%. Black residents' share of Salem County's population has increased from 7.5% to 8.7%.

Salem County is more Black than neighboring Roanoke County (6.4% Black), Craig County (0.1% Black), Franklin County (6.8% Black), and Montgomery County (3.8% Black). Salem County is less Black than neighboring Roanoke County (27.7% Black).

Salem County's Asian Population

503 residents of Salem County, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Salem County is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Salem County ranks 35th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 5.8%. Asian residents' share of Salem County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.0%.

Salem County is more Asian than neighboring Craig County (0% Asian), and Franklin County (0.6% Asian). Salem County is less Asian than neighboring Roanoke County (3.7% Asian), Roanoke County (3.1% Asian), and Montgomery County (6.4% Asian).

Salem County's Hispanic Population

1,227 residents of Salem County, or 4.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salem County is lower than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Salem County ranks 64th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 12.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Salem County's population has increased from 4.3% to 4.8%.

Salem County is more Hispanic than neighboring Roanoke County (4.1% Hispanic), Craig County (1.5% Hispanic), Franklin County (3.7% Hispanic), and Montgomery County (4.6% Hispanic). Salem County is less Hispanic than neighboring Roanoke County (9% Hispanic).

Salem County's Native American/Other Population

262 residents of Salem County, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Salem County is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Salem County ranks 105th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 131.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Salem County's population has increased from 0.4% to 1.0%.

Salem County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Roanoke County (0.6% Native American/Other), Roanoke County (0.8% Native American/Other), and Franklin County (0.3% Native American/Other). Salem County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Craig County (1.7% Native American/Other), and Montgomery County (1.1% Native American/Other).

Salem County's Multiracial Population

514 residents of Salem County, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salem County is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Salem County ranks 63rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 133 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 49.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Salem County's population has decreased from 4.0% to 2.0%.

Salem County is more Multiracial than neighboring Craig County (1.2% Multiracial). Salem County is less Multiracial than neighboring Roanoke County (2.9% Multiracial), Roanoke County (4.1% Multiracial), Franklin County (3% Multiracial), and Montgomery County (3.1% 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.