Salem, VA Demographics

A map of Salem's Population by Race

Salem, 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, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Of the 672 places in Virginia, Salem is the 44th most populous. 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's White Population

20,673 residents of Salem identify as White, or 81.6%. This makes the White share of the population of Salem considerably larger than the White share of the population of Virginia (58.6% White). Of the 672 places in Virginia, Salem is ranked #257 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Salem is more White than neighboring Cave Spring (80.5% White), Roanoke (55.9% White), and Hollins (74% White). Salem is less White than neighboring Glenvar (90.4% White), and Lafayette (87.4% White).

Salem's Black Population

1,913 residents of Salem identify as Black, or 7.5%. This makes the Black share of the population of Salem slightly less than the Black share of the population of Virginia (18.3% Black). Of the 672 places in Virginia, Salem is ranked #337 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Salem is more Black than neighboring Glenvar (3% Black), Cave Spring (5.4% Black), and Lafayette (1.4% Black). Salem is less Black than neighboring Roanoke (27.1% Black), and Hollins (11.1% Black).

Salem's Asian Population

534 residents of Salem identify as Asian, or 2.1%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Salem roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of Virginia (7.1% Asian). Of the 672 places in Virginia, Salem is ranked #206 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Salem is more Asian than neighboring Glenvar (0.8% Asian), and Lafayette (0% Asian). Salem is less Asian than neighboring Cave Spring (5.1% Asian), Roanoke (2.5% Asian), and Hollins (4.4% Asian).

Salem's Hispanic Population

1,088 residents of Salem identify as Hispanic, or 4.3%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Salem slightly less than the Hispanic share of the population of Virginia (10.5% Hispanic). Of the 672 places in Virginia, Salem is ranked #357 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Salem is more Hispanic than neighboring Glenvar (2.5% Hispanic). Salem is less Hispanic than neighboring Cave Spring (4.4% Hispanic), Roanoke (8.5% Hispanic), Hollins (5.8% Hispanic), and Lafayette (7.2% Hispanic).

Salem's Native American/Other Population

113 residents of Salem 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 roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of Virginia (0.8% Native American/Other). Of the 672 places in Virginia, Salem is ranked #458 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Salem is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lafayette (0% Native American/Other). Salem is less Native American/Other than neighboring Glenvar (0.6% Native American/Other), Cave Spring (0.7% Native American/Other), Roanoke (0.8% Native American/Other), and Hollins (0.5% Native American/Other).

Salem's Multiracial Population

1,025 residents of Salem identify as Multiracial, or 4.0%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Salem roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of Virginia (4.7% Multiracial). Of the 672 places in Virginia, Salem is ranked #337 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Salem is more Multiracial than neighboring Glenvar (2.8% Multiracial). Salem is less Multiracial than neighboring Roanoke (5.3% Multiracial), and Hollins (4.2% Multiracial).

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