Salem County Demographics

A map of Salem County's Population by Race

Salem County, Virginia had a population of 25,346 in 2020. It was 81.6% White, 7.5% Black, 2.1% Asian, 4.3% Hispanic, 0.4% Native American/Other, and 4.0% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Salem County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Salem County is the 69th most populous county of the 133 counties in Virginia.

Salem County's White Population

20,673 residents of Salem County identify as White, or 81.6%. This makes the White share of the population of Salem County considerably larger than the White share of the population of Virginia (58.6% White). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Salem County is ranked #43 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Salem County is more White than neighboring Roanoke County (55.9% White), and Montgomery County (78.1% White). Salem County is less White than neighboring Roanoke County (82.5% White), Craig County (94.7% White), and Franklin County (84.8% White).

Salem County's Black Population

1,913 residents of Salem County identify as Black, or 7.5%. This makes the Black share of the population of Salem County slightly less than the Black share of the population of Virginia (18.3% Black). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Salem County is ranked #85 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Salem County is more Black than neighboring Roanoke County (5.8% Black), Craig County (0.2% Black), Franklin County (7.1% Black), and Montgomery County (4.1% Black). Salem County is less Black than neighboring Roanoke County (27.1% Black).

Salem County's Asian Population

534 residents of Salem County identify as Asian, or 2.1%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Salem County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of Virginia (7.1% Asian). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Salem County is ranked #35 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Salem County is more Asian than neighboring Craig County (0.2% Asian), and Franklin County (0.6% Asian). Salem County is less Asian than neighboring Roanoke County (3.5% Asian), Roanoke County (2.5% Asian), and Montgomery County (8.3% Asian).

Salem County's Hispanic Population

1,088 residents of Salem County identify as Hispanic, or 4.3%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Salem County slightly less than the Hispanic share of the population of Virginia (10.5% Hispanic). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Salem County is ranked #64 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Salem County is more Hispanic than neighboring Roanoke County (3.6% Hispanic), Craig County (1.1% Hispanic), and Franklin County (3.6% Hispanic). Salem County is less Hispanic than neighboring Roanoke County (8.5% Hispanic), and Montgomery County (4.7% Hispanic).

Salem County's Native American/Other Population

113 residents of Salem County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.4%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Salem County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of Virginia (0.8% Native American/Other). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Salem County is ranked #105 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Salem County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Roanoke County (0.6% Native American/Other), Roanoke County (0.8% Native American/Other), Franklin County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Montgomery County (0.5% Native American/Other).

Salem County's Multiracial Population

1,025 residents of Salem County identify as Multiracial, or 4.0%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Salem County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of Virginia (4.7% Multiracial). Of the 133 counties in Virginia, Salem County is ranked #63 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Salem County is more Multiracial than neighboring Roanoke County (3.9% Multiracial), Craig County (3.4% Multiracial), and Franklin County (3.5% Multiracial). Salem County is less Multiracial than neighboring Roanoke County (5.3% Multiracial), and Montgomery County (4.3% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.