Salem, NC Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Salem, North Carolina had a population of 2,356 in 2020. It was 83.2% White, 2.9% Black, 1.3% Asian, 7.9% Hispanic, 0.6% Native American/Other, and 4.2% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Salem, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Of the 776 places in North Carolina, Salem is the 293rd most populous. 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's White Population

1,960 residents of Salem identify as White, or 83.2%. This makes the White share of the population of Salem considerably larger than the White share of the population of North Carolina (60.5% White). Of the 776 places in North Carolina, Salem is ranked #213 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Salem is more White than neighboring Morganton (60% White), Glen Alpine (82.3% White), and Drexel (81.1% White). Salem is less White than neighboring Valdese (87.4% White), and Rutherford College (90.9% White).

Salem's Black Population

68 residents of Salem identify as Black, or 2.9%. This makes the Black share of the population of Salem less than the Black share of the population of North Carolina (20.2% Black). Of the 776 places in North Carolina, Salem is ranked #583 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Salem is more Black than neighboring Valdese (1.6% Black), and Rutherford College (1.4% Black). Salem is less Black than neighboring Morganton (9.5% Black), Glen Alpine (4% Black), and Drexel (4% Black).

Salem's Asian Population

30 residents of Salem identify as Asian, or 1.3%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Salem roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of North Carolina (3.3% Asian). Of the 776 places in North Carolina, Salem is ranked #189 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Salem is less Asian than neighboring Morganton (2.2% Asian), Glen Alpine (4.7% Asian), Drexel (2.9% Asian), Valdese (3.4% Asian), and Rutherford College (2.4% Asian).

Salem's Hispanic Population

187 residents of Salem identify as Hispanic, or 7.9%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Salem roughly similar to the Hispanic share of the population of North Carolina (10.7% Hispanic). Of the 776 places in North Carolina, Salem is ranked #280 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Glen Alpine (4.6% Hispanic), Drexel (7% Hispanic), Valdese (3.4% Hispanic), and Rutherford College (2.9% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Morganton (23.5% Hispanic).

Salem's Native American/Other Population

13 residents of Salem identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.6%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Salem roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of North Carolina (1.5% Native American/Other). Of the 776 places in North Carolina, Salem is ranked #468 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Salem is more Native American/Other than neighboring Drexel (0.5% Native American/Other), and Rutherford College (0.2% Native American/Other). Salem is less Native American/Other than neighboring Morganton (0.9% Native American/Other), and Glen Alpine (1% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

98 residents of Salem identify as Multiracial, or 4.2%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Salem roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of North Carolina (3.9% Multiracial). Of the 776 places in North Carolina, Salem is ranked #259 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Morganton (3.9% Multiracial), Glen Alpine (3.3% Multiracial), Valdese (3.6% Multiracial), and Rutherford College (2.1% Multiracial). Salem is less Multiracial than neighboring Drexel (4.5% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.