Salem, WV Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,512	1,339	92.8%	87.6%
Black	48	71	2.9%	4.6%
Hispanic	38	52	2.3%	3.4%
Multiracial	17	54	1.0%	3.5%
Asian	14	8	0.9%	0.5%
Native American/Other	0	5	0.0%	0.3%

Salem, West Virginia has an estimated population of 1,629, an increase from the 1,529 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 92.8% White, 2.9% Black, 2.3% Hispanic, 1.0% Multiracial, 0.9% 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 considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than West 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 22.9% in 2020 and 13.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Salem is ranked the 91st most populous place in West Virginia, out of 439 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 95th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Salem's White Population

1,512 residents of Salem, or 92.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Salem is slightly higher than in West Virginia overall, where 89.7% of the population is White. Salem ranks 362nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's White population has grown by an estimated 12.9%. White residents' share of Salem's population has increased from 87.6% to 92.8%.

Salem is more White than neighboring Wallace (75.1% White), and West Union (90.8% White). Salem is less White than neighboring Wolf Summit (100% White), Reynoldsville (96.4% White), and West Milford (96.1% White).

Salem's Black Population

48 residents of Salem, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Salem is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 3.1% of the population is Black. Salem ranks 75th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Black population has declined by an estimated 32.4%. Black residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 4.6% to 2.9%.

Salem is more Black than neighboring Wolf Summit (0% Black), Reynoldsville (0% Black), Wallace (1.1% Black), and West Milford (0% Black). Salem is less Black than neighboring West Union (5.6% Black).

Salem's Asian Population

14 residents of Salem, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Salem is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Asian. Salem ranks 113th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Asian population has grown by an estimated 75.0%. Asian residents' share of Salem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Salem is more Asian than neighboring Wolf Summit (0% Asian), Reynoldsville (0% Asian), Wallace (0% Asian), West Milford (0% Asian), and West Union (0% Asian).

Salem's Hispanic Population

38 residents of Salem, or 2.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Salem is comparable to the share in West Virginia overall, where 2.1% of the population is Hispanic. Salem ranks 21st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 26.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 3.4% to 2.3%.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Wolf Summit (0% Hispanic), Reynoldsville (0% Hispanic), West Milford (0% Hispanic), and West Union (0.5% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Wallace (16.2% 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 West Virginia overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Salem ranks 232nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 439 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 remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Salem is less Native American/Other than neighboring West Milford (0.3% Native American/Other), and West Union (0.1% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

17 residents of Salem, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Salem is slightly lower than in West Virginia overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Salem ranks 235th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 439 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Salem's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 68.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Salem's population has decreased from 3.5% to 1.0%.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Wolf Summit (0% Multiracial). Salem is less Multiracial than neighboring Reynoldsville (3.6% Multiracial), Wallace (7.6% Multiracial), West Milford (3.6% Multiracial), and West Union (3.1% 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.