Salem, IA Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	294	360	84.2%	91.4%
Hispanic	23	11	6.6%	2.8%
Multiracial	19	12	5.4%	3.0%
Black	5	1	1.4%	0.3%
Asian	5	3	1.4%	0.8%
Native American/Other	3	7	0.9%	1.8%

Salem, Iowa has an estimated population of 349, a large decrease from the 394 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 84.2% White, 6.6% Hispanic, 5.4% Multiracial, 1.4% Black, 1.4% Asian, and 0.9% 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 considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Iowa 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 16.3% in 2020 and 28.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salem is ranked the 570th most populous place in Iowa, out of 1,026 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 503rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salem's White Population

294 residents of Salem, or 84.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Salem ranks 658th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's White population has declined by an estimated 18.3%. White residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 91.4% to 84.2%.

Salem is more White than neighboring Westwood (81.5% White), and Mount Pleasant (78.9% White). Salem is less White than neighboring Houghton (88.9% White), Hillsboro (96.7% White), and St. Paul (100% White).

Salem's Black Population

5 residents of Salem, or 1.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salem is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Salem ranks 518th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Black population has grown by an estimated 400.0%. Black residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 0.3% to 1.4%.

Salem is more Black than neighboring Houghton (0% Black), Hillsboro (0% Black), Westwood (0% Black), and St. Paul (0% Black). Salem is less Black than neighboring Mount Pleasant (4.7% Black).

Salem's Asian Population

5 residents of Salem, or 1.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Salem ranks 191st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Asian population has grown by an estimated 66.7%. Asian residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 0.8% to 1.4%.

Salem is more Asian than neighboring Houghton (0% Asian), Hillsboro (0% Asian), Westwood (0% Asian), and St. Paul (0% Asian). Salem is less Asian than neighboring Mount Pleasant (1.7% Asian).

Salem's Hispanic Population

23 residents of Salem, or 6.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Salem ranks 461st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 109.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 2.8% to 6.6%.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Hillsboro (3.3% Hispanic), Westwood (1.5% Hispanic), and St. Paul (0% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Houghton (6.9% Hispanic), and Mount Pleasant (9.5% Hispanic).

Salem's Native American/Other Population

3 residents of Salem, or 0.9% 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 Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Salem ranks 68th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 57.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 1.8% to 0.9%.

Salem is more Native American/Other than neighboring Houghton (0% Native American/Other), Hillsboro (0% Native American/Other), Westwood (0% Native American/Other), Mount Pleasant (0.8% Native American/Other), and St. Paul (0% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

19 residents of Salem, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Salem ranks 405th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 58.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 3.0% to 5.4%.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Houghton (4.2% Multiracial), Hillsboro (0% Multiracial), Mount Pleasant (4.4% Multiracial), and St. Paul (0% Multiracial). Salem is less Multiracial than neighboring Westwood (16.9% 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.