Salem, NC Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,923	1,960	80.9%	83.2%
Hispanic	347	187	14.6%	7.9%
Multiracial	79	98	3.3%	4.2%
Black	28	68	1.2%	2.9%
Asian	0	30	0.0%	1.3%
Native American/Other	0	13	0.0%	0.6%

Salem, North Carolina has an estimated population of 2,377, a less than 1% change from the 2,356 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 80.9% White, 14.6% Hispanic, 3.3% Multiracial, 1.2% Black, 0.0% Asian, and 0.0% 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 more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina 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 29.9% in 2020 and 32.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salem is ranked the 310th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 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 293rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salem's White Population

1,923 residents of Salem, or 80.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salem is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Salem ranks 214th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's White population has declined by an estimated 1.9%. White residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 83.2% to 80.9%.

Salem is more White than neighboring Morganton (58.4% White), and Drexel (80.3% White). Salem is less White than neighboring Glen Alpine (82.7% White), Valdese (86.2% White), and Rutherford College (87.6% White).

Salem's Black Population

28 residents of Salem, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salem is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Salem ranks 586th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Black population has declined by an estimated 58.8%. Black residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 2.9% to 1.2%.

Salem is more Black than neighboring Rutherford College (0% Black). Salem is less Black than neighboring Morganton (14.3% Black), Glen Alpine (2.5% Black), Drexel (1.7% Black), and Valdese (3.3% Black).

Salem's Asian Population

0 residents of Salem, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Salem is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Salem ranks 198th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 1.3% to 0.0%.

Salem is less Asian than neighboring Morganton (1.3% Asian), Glen Alpine (4.8% Asian), Drexel (2.6% Asian), Valdese (3.1% Asian), and Rutherford College (4.4% Asian).

Salem's Hispanic Population

347 residents of Salem, or 14.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salem is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Salem ranks 281st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 85.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 7.9% to 14.6%.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Glen Alpine (5.8% Hispanic), Drexel (9% Hispanic), Valdese (5.2% Hispanic), and Rutherford College (5% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Morganton (22.6% Hispanic).

Salem's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Salem, or 0.0% 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 North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Salem ranks 532nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 0.6% to 0.0%.

Salem is less Native American/Other than neighboring Morganton (0.3% Native American/Other), Glen Alpine (0.1% Native American/Other), and Drexel (1.7% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

79 residents of Salem, or 3.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salem is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Salem ranks 281st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 19.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 4.2% to 3.3%.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Morganton (3.1% Multiracial), Valdese (2.2% Multiracial), and Rutherford College (3% Multiracial). Salem is less Multiracial than neighboring Glen Alpine (4.1% Multiracial), and Drexel (4.6% 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.