Salem, SD Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,069	1,209	87.9%	91.2%
Hispanic	78	61	6.4%	4.6%
Multiracial	48	37	3.9%	2.8%
Native American/Other	21	14	1.7%	1.1%
Black	0	3	0.0%	0.2%
Asian	0	1	0.0%	0.1%

Salem, South Dakota has an estimated population of 1,216, a decrease from the 1,325 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 87.9% White, 6.4% Hispanic, 3.9% Multiracial, 1.7% Native American/Other, 0.0% Black, and 0.0% 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 considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than South Dakota 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 16.4% in 2020 and 22.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salem is ranked the 65th most populous place in South Dakota, out of 485 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 55th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salem's White Population

1,069 residents of Salem, or 87.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salem is higher than in South Dakota overall, where 79.8% of the population is White. Salem ranks 213th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's White population has declined by an estimated 11.6%. White residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 91.2% to 87.9%.

Salem is more White than neighboring Canistota (78.8% White). Salem is less White than neighboring Golden View Colony (100% White), Canova (96.9% White), Spencer (96.1% White), and Bridgewater (93.6% 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 slightly lower than in South Dakota overall, where 2.1% of the population is Black. Salem ranks 143rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Black population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Salem is less Black than neighboring Canistota (1.7% Black), and Canova (3.1% 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 comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 1.4% of the population is Asian. Salem ranks 173rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Salem's Hispanic Population

78 residents of Salem, or 6.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salem is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 4.8% of the population is Hispanic. Salem ranks 106th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 27.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 4.6% to 6.4%.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Golden View Colony (0% Hispanic), Canova (0% Hispanic), Spencer (1% Hispanic), and Bridgewater (2% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Canistota (10.3% Hispanic).

Salem's Native American/Other Population

21 residents of Salem, or 1.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Salem is lower than in South Dakota overall, where 7.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Salem ranks 280th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 50.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 1.1% to 1.7%.

Salem is more Native American/Other than neighboring Golden View Colony (0% Native American/Other), Canistota (0% Native American/Other), Canova (0% Native American/Other), and Spencer (1% Native American/Other). Salem is less Native American/Other than neighboring Bridgewater (1.8% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

48 residents of Salem, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salem is comparable to the share in South Dakota overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Salem ranks 243rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 485 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 29.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 2.8% to 3.9%.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Golden View Colony (0% Multiracial), Canova (0% Multiracial), Spencer (1.9% Multiracial), and Bridgewater (2.7% Multiracial). Salem is less Multiracial than neighboring Canistota (9.3% 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.