Salem, MO Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	4,253	4,168	90.9%	90.5%
Multiracial	254	247	5.4%	5.4%
Hispanic	78	99	1.7%	2.1%
Native American/Other	43	41	0.9%	0.9%
Black	41	21	0.9%	0.5%
Asian	8	32	0.2%	0.7%

Salem, Missouri has an estimated population of 4,677, a slight increase from the 4,608 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 90.9% White, 5.4% Multiracial, 1.7% Hispanic, 0.9% Black, 0.9% Native American/Other, and 0.2% Asian. 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 slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Missouri 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 17.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salem is ranked the 157th most populous place in Missouri, out of 1,082 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 154th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salem's White Population

4,253 residents of Salem, or 90.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salem is considerably higher than in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. Salem ranks 472nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's White population has grown by an estimated 2.0%. White residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 90.9%.

Salem is more White than neighboring Edgar Springs (80.4% White), Licking (77.7% White), St. James (90.2% White), Bunker (88.4% White), and Steelville (83.5% White).

Salem's Black Population

41 residents of Salem, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salem is lower than in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. Salem ranks 586th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Black population has grown by an estimated 95.2%. Black residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Salem is more Black than neighboring St. James (0.5% Black). Salem is less Black than neighboring Edgar Springs (7.6% Black), Licking (15.6% Black), Bunker (3.3% Black), and Steelville (2.3% Black).

Salem's Asian Population

8 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 Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. Salem ranks 280th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Asian population has declined by an estimated 75.0%. Asian residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Salem is more Asian than neighboring Edgar Springs (0% Asian), Licking (0% Asian), St. James (0% Asian), Bunker (0% Asian), and Steelville (0.1% Asian).

Salem's Hispanic Population

78 residents of Salem, or 1.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salem is slightly lower than in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. Salem ranks 588th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 21.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.7%.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Edgar Springs (0.9% Hispanic), and Bunker (0% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Licking (2.7% Hispanic), St. James (3.4% Hispanic), and Steelville (3% Hispanic).

Salem's Native American/Other Population

43 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 Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Salem ranks 363rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 4.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Salem is more Native American/Other than neighboring Licking (0.4% Native American/Other), St. James (0.5% Native American/Other), Bunker (0% Native American/Other), and Steelville (0.3% Native American/Other). Salem is less Native American/Other than neighboring Edgar Springs (5.4% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

254 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 Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Salem ranks 419th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 2.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.4%.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Licking (3.5% Multiracial). Salem is less Multiracial than neighboring Edgar Springs (5.8% Multiracial), Bunker (8.3% Multiracial), and Steelville (10.8% 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.