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, IL Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

7,236

Median Agei

39.1

Race & Ethnicityi

White

91.3%6,610

Two or More

2.6%189

Black

2.6%186

Other

2.1%151

Asian

0.9%63

Hispanic/Latino

0.5%37

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

5.4%264

High School Diploma

32.7%1,605

Some College (<1 yr)

9.9%486

Some College (1+ yr)

16.2%795

Associate's Degree

12.2%598

Bachelor's Degree

12.5%614

Master's Degree

2.3%115

Professional Degree

0.2%8

Doctorate

0.6%31

HS or Higher

91.9%

BA or Higher

15.6%

Graduate+

3.1%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$106,100

Median Renti

$774

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

65%2,030

Renter-Occupied

35%1,092

Total Units

3,430

Homeownership

65%

Vacancy Rate

Home Values

Under $50K

11.7%237

$50K–$100K

34.2%695

$100K–$150K

24.2%491

$150K–$200K

11.8%240

$200K–$300K

15.1%306

$300K–$500K

2.7%55

$500K–$1M

0.3%6

Rent Distribution

Under $500

224

$500–$750

258

$750–$1,000

297

$1,000–$1,250

132

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2010–2019

1.6%55

2000–2009

5.7%197

1990–1999

7%240

1980–1989

12.5%430

1970–1979

21.6%742

1960–1969

12.1%415

1950–1959

15%515

1940–1949

8.6%296

1939 or earlier

15.7%540

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

68.4%2,134

Electricity

29%906

Bottled/LP Gas

1%30

No Fuel

0.8%25

Coal

0.5%16

Other

0.4%11

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$59,728

Mean Household Incomei

$76,577

Per Capita Incomei

$33,467

Poverty Ratei

15.6%

Unemploymenti

2.4%

Labor Forcei

3,455

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

6%188

$10K–$15K

5.3%166

$15K–$20K

6.8%213

$20K–$25K

2.2%70

$25K–$30K

4.8%151

$30K–$35K

3.6%113

$35K–$40K

2.7%84

$40K–$45K

4.2%132

$45K–$50K

6.5%202

$50K–$60K

7.9%247

$60K–$75K

12.3%383

$75K–$100K

14.5%454

$100K–$125K

6.1%192

$125K–$150K

6.5%203

$150K–$200K

4.5%139

$200K+

5.9%185

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

230

Residentsi

368

Avg. Tenant Renti

$376/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

4 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing130 homes99% occupied$374/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers42 homes85% occupied$395/mo rent

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

Project Based Section 858 homes93% occupied$367/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $59,728/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $18K/yr

67.4%

Very low income$18K–$30K/yr

26.3%

Low income$30K–$48K/yr

5.2%

Moderate / aboveOver $48K/yr

1.1%

Who Receives This Housing

74.2% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

12.7% of subsidized households are minority

31.5% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

49% 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

260.4%

By Region

Top Countries

Philippines

Mexico

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

3,278

Avg. Commutei

13.9 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

3,371

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

385(7.1% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

94.9%Insured

5.1%Uninsured