Salem, SC Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	160	117	90.4%	97.5%
Multiracial	7	1	4.0%	0.8%
Hispanic	6	2	3.4%	1.7%
Asian	4	0	2.3%	0.0%
Black	0	0	0.0%	0.0%
Native American/Other	0	0	0.0%	0.0%

Salem, South Carolina has an estimated population of 177, a dramatic increase from the 120 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 90.4% White, 4.0% Multiracial, 3.4% Hispanic, 2.3% Asian, 0.0% Black, 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 considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than South 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 4.9% in 2020 and 18.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salem is ranked the 417th most populous place in South Carolina, out of 475 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 437th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salem's White Population

160 residents of Salem, or 90.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salem is significantly higher than in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. Salem ranks 1st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's White population has grown by an estimated 36.8%. White residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 97.5% to 90.4%.

Salem is more White than neighboring Tamassee (80% White), West Union (60.3% White), Walhalla (57.1% White), and Newry (62.1% White). Salem is less White than neighboring Keowee Key (92.3% White).

Salem's Black Population

0 residents of Salem, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salem is significantly lower than in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. Salem ranks 464th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Black population has grown from 0 to an estimated 0. Black residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Salem is less Black than neighboring Tamassee (20% Black), West Union (8.4% Black), and Walhalla (2.9% Black).

Salem's Asian Population

4 residents of Salem, or 2.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Salem is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Salem ranks 359th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Asian population has grown from 0 to an estimated 4. Asian residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 0.0% to 2.3%.

Salem is more Asian than neighboring Tamassee (0% Asian), Keowee Key (0.4% Asian), West Union (0% Asian), Walhalla (0.3% Asian), and Newry (0% Asian).

Salem's Hispanic Population

6 residents of Salem, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salem is slightly lower than in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Salem ranks 371st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 200.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 1.7% to 3.4%.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Tamassee (0% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Keowee Key (3.7% Hispanic), West Union (25.4% Hispanic), Walhalla (27.3% Hispanic), and Newry (26% 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 South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Salem ranks 420th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Native American/Other population has grown from 0 to an estimated 0. Native American/Other residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Salem is less Native American/Other than neighboring Keowee Key (0.4% Native American/Other), Walhalla (0.1% Native American/Other), and Newry (11.9% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

7 residents of Salem, or 4.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salem is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Salem ranks 461st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 600.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 0.8% to 4.0%.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Tamassee (0% Multiracial), Keowee Key (3.2% Multiracial), and Newry (0% Multiracial). Salem is less Multiracial than neighboring West Union (5.9% Multiracial), and Walhalla (12.2% 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.