Salem, VA Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	20,895	20,673	81.6%	81.6%
Black	2,217	1,913	8.7%	7.5%
Hispanic	1,227	1,088	4.8%	4.3%
Multiracial	514	1,025	2.0%	4.0%
Asian	503	534	2.0%	2.1%
Native American/Other	262	113	1.0%	0.4%

Salem, Virginia has an estimated population of 25,618, a slight increase from the 25,346 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 81.6% White, 8.7% Black, 4.8% Hispanic, 2.0% Asian, 2.0% Multiracial, and 1.0% 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 is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Virginia 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 32.5% in 2020 and 32.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salem is ranked the 45th most populous place in Virginia, out of 688 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 44th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salem's White Population

20,895 residents of Salem, or 81.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salem is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Salem ranks 258th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's White population has grown by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 81.6%.

Salem is more White than neighboring Cave Spring (79.1% White), Roanoke (55.3% White), and Hollins (73.5% White). Salem is less White than neighboring Glenvar (90.6% White), and Lafayette (91.2% White).

Salem's Black Population

2,217 residents of Salem, or 8.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salem is lower than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Salem ranks 337th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Black population has grown by an estimated 15.9%. Black residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 7.5% to 8.7%.

Salem is more Black than neighboring Glenvar (0.7% Black), Cave Spring (3.8% Black), and Lafayette (0% Black). Salem is less Black than neighboring Roanoke (27.7% Black), and Hollins (13.3% Black).

Salem's Asian Population

503 residents of Salem, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Salem is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Salem ranks 208th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Asian population has declined by an estimated 5.8%. Asian residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.0%.

Salem is more Asian than neighboring Glenvar (0% Asian), and Lafayette (0% Asian). Salem is less Asian than neighboring Cave Spring (6.9% Asian), Roanoke (3.1% Asian), and Hollins (5% Asian).

Salem's Hispanic Population

1,227 residents of Salem, or 4.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salem is lower than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Salem ranks 357th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 12.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 4.3% to 4.8%.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Hollins (4.2% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Glenvar (7.5% Hispanic), Cave Spring (5.6% Hispanic), Roanoke (9% Hispanic), and Lafayette (8.8% Hispanic).

Salem's Native American/Other Population

262 residents of Salem, or 1.0% 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 Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Salem ranks 462nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 131.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 0.4% to 1.0%.

Salem is more Native American/Other than neighboring Cave Spring (0.9% Native American/Other), Roanoke (0.8% Native American/Other), Hollins (0.3% Native American/Other), and Lafayette (0% Native American/Other). Salem is less Native American/Other than neighboring Glenvar (1.2% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

514 residents of Salem, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salem is slightly lower than in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Salem ranks 337th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 49.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 4.0% to 2.0%.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Glenvar (0% Multiracial), and Lafayette (0% Multiracial). Salem is less Multiracial than neighboring Cave Spring (3.7% Multiracial), Roanoke (4.1% Multiracial), and Hollins (3.7% 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.