Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Salem, MO Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

11,758

Median Agei

Race & Ethnicityi

White

95.9%11,272

Two or More

2.1%244

Hispanic/Latino

1.6%184

Other

0.3%37

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%13

Black

0.1%8

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

2.5%210

High School Diploma

35.3%2,964

Some College (<1 yr)

7.5%629

Some College (1+ yr)

8.9%748

Associate's Degree

11%921

Bachelor's Degree

15.8%1,326

Master's Degree

2.9%242

Professional Degree

0.2%17

Doctorate

1%81

HS or Higher

84.9%

BA or Higher

19.8%

Graduate+

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$115,000

Median Renti

$639

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

50%983

Renter-Occupied

50%983

Total Units

2,367

Homeownership

50%

Vacancy Rate

16.9%

Home Values

Under $50K

11.3%111

$50K–$100K

30.8%303

$100K–$150K

17.5%172

$150K–$200K

18.6%183

$200K–$300K

14.4%142

$300K–$500K

7.3%72

Rent Distribution

Under $500

391

$500–$750

138

$750–$1,000

321

$1,000–$1,250

$1,500–$2,000

Year Built

2020 or later

1.2%29

2010–2019

4.5%107

2000–2009

6.3%150

1990–1999

4.6%109

1980–1989

10.4%246

1970–1979

20.5%485

1960–1969

19.4%459

1950–1959

14.7%348

1940–1949

5.2%123

1939 or earlier

13.1%311

Heating Fuel

Electricity

50.1%984

Utility Gas

21.5%422

Bottled/LP Gas

19.6%385

Wood

5.3%104

Coal

1.9%37

Fuel Oil

1.4%28

No Fuel

0.3%6

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$43,923

Mean Household Incomei

$64,164

Per Capita Incomei

$29,524

Poverty Ratei

10.8%

Unemploymenti

Labor Forcei

2,044

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

6.3%123

$10K–$15K

6.2%121

$15K–$20K

7.4%146

$20K–$25K

8.5%168

$25K–$30K

6.2%121

$30K–$35K

5.3%104

$35K–$40K

4.4%87

$40K–$45K

8.4%166

$45K–$50K

1.8%36

$50K–$60K

6.4%125

$60K–$75K

12.2%239

$75K–$100K

11.7%231

$100K–$125K

10.1%198

$125K–$150K

1.7%33

$150K–$200K

2.2%44

$200K+

1.2%24

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

255

Residentsi

303

Avg. Tenant Renti

$360/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

19 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing90 homes99% occupied$404/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers105 homes85% occupied$312/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 860 homes88% occupied$376/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $43,923/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $13K/yr

62.9%

Very low income$13K–$22K/yr

31%

Low income$22K–$35K/yr

5.7%

Moderate / aboveOver $35K/yr

0.4%

Who Receives This Housing

68.5% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

3.2% of subsidized households are minority

50.7% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

58.5% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

190.4%

Top Countries

Canada

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

377(10.3% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

85.2%Insured

14.8%Uninsured