Salem, North Carolina

Geography Salem is located at 35°42'14" North, 81°41'56" West (35.703920, -81.698820)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 10.9 km² (4.2 mi²). 10.9 km² (4.2 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 2,923 people, 918 households, and 678 families residing in the town. The population density is 267.4/km² (692.3/mi²). There are 962 housing units at an average density of 88.0/km² (227.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 78.86% White, 15.91% African American, 0.48% Native American, 1.81% Asian, 0.44% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. 2.19% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 918 households out of which 29.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% are married couples living together, 11.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% are non-families. 22.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 2.82.

In the town the population is spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 21.8% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 28 years. For every 100 females there are 153.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 147.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $32,050, and the median income for a family is $45,430. Males have a median income of $28,672 versus $21,913 for females. The per capita income for the town is $14,506. 10.7% of the population and 9.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 11.6% are under the age of 18 and 17.7% are 65 or older.