Salem, IL Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	6,610	6,538	91.3%	89.8%
Multiracial	189	402	2.6%	5.5%
Black	186	93	2.6%	1.3%
Native American/Other	151	25	2.1%	0.3%
Asian	63	69	0.9%	0.9%
Hispanic	37	155	0.5%	2.1%

Salem, Illinois has an estimated population of 7,236, a less than 1% change from the 7,282 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 91.3% White, 2.6% Black, 2.6% Multiracial, 2.1% Native American/Other, 0.9% Asian, and 0.5% Hispanic. 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 Illinois 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 19.0% in 2020 and 16.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salem is ranked the 277th most populous place in Illinois, out of 1,461 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 278th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salem's White Population

6,610 residents of Salem, or 91.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salem is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Salem ranks 796th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's White population has grown by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 89.8% to 91.3%.

Salem is more White than neighboring Kell (91% White), and Sandoval (84.8% White). Salem is less White than neighboring Odin (93.9% White), Alma (95.1% White), and Iuka (93.6% White).

Salem's Black Population

186 residents of Salem, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salem is considerably lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Salem ranks 489th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Black population has grown by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 1.3% to 2.6%.

Salem is more Black than neighboring Odin (0.4% Black), Alma (0% Black), Kell (1.4% Black), and Iuka (0% Black). Salem is less Black than neighboring Sandoval (3.2% Black).

Salem's Asian Population

63 residents of Salem, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Salem is slightly lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Salem ranks 400th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Asian population has declined by an estimated 8.7%. Asian residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Salem is more Asian than neighboring Odin (0.2% Asian), Alma (0% Asian), and Kell (0% Asian). Salem is less Asian than neighboring Sandoval (1.7% Asian), and Iuka (2.4% Asian).

Salem's Hispanic Population

37 residents of Salem, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salem is significantly lower than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Salem ranks 920th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 76.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 2.1% to 0.5%.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Alma (0.4% Hispanic), and Kell (0% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Odin (0.7% Hispanic), Sandoval (3.6% Hispanic), and Iuka (1.7% Hispanic).

Salem's Native American/Other Population

151 residents of Salem, or 2.1% 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 Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Salem ranks 814th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 504.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 0.3% to 2.1%.

Salem is more Native American/Other than neighboring Odin (0% Native American/Other), Alma (0% Native American/Other), Kell (0% Native American/Other), Sandoval (0.1% Native American/Other), and Iuka (0% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

189 residents of Salem, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salem is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Salem ranks 181st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,461 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 53.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 5.5% to 2.6%.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Iuka (2.2% Multiracial). Salem is less Multiracial than neighboring Odin (4.7% Multiracial), Alma (4.6% Multiracial), Kell (7.6% Multiracial), and Sandoval (6.7% 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.