Salem

Compact city known for its old-fashioned, small-town charms and reputation as a sports town.

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Welcome to Salem

Compact city known for its old-fashioned, small-town charms and reputation as a sports town
 
Home to The Crouch Team and residing on the Roanoke River, Salem is a quaint, peaceful, small town in the Shenandoah Valley benefiting from all the natural beauty and grandeur of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate living along the water and jogging through Greenwood Park. Salem is also close to the larger city of Roanoke and several iconic hiking locations. 
 
For more than two centuries, Salem has cultivated a reputation for being an excellent place to live with an old-fashioned, small-town community feel and exemplary schools. It’s also known nationally as a sports town and hosts dozens of amateur and collegiate tournaments annually. Salem is also the home of the Red Sox, a minor-league AA baseball team. 
 
A vibrant, progressive city, Salem has a spacious commercial district with dozens of eateries and specialty shops. The Roanoke College campus starts in Salem, bordered by green spaces for the perfect picnic spot. Residents also have access to the regional VA Medical Center and the LewisGale Medical Center.
 
 

What to Love

  • Natural beauty
  • Charming, historic downtown
  • Home of the Salem Red Sox
  • Virginia’s Championship City
  • Close to Roanoke
  • Variety of housing options

People & Lifestyle

Framed by the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Salem, also known as "Virginia's Championship City," is a gorgeous and charming place known for its first-class sporting, historic downtown, and annual festivities. Salem real estate encompasses a variety of sizes and styles, though brick or wood-sided houses are most common. You can find historic colonial cottages aging back 50 to 100 years on quiet, tree-lined streets or venture outward from downtown for large, spacious, modern estates and newer construction near the Hidden Valley Country Club. 
 
There are plenty of options to choose from between the two. Baseball fans will appreciate attending Salem Red Sox games while health-conscious individuals can pick fresh ingredients from the Salem farmers market, open each year from April to December. Longwood Park is an expansive, well-maintained space with plenty of trails and playgrounds.
 

Dining, Shopping & Entertainment

Mac & Bob's has consistently won the platinum award for Best Salem Restaurant since 1998. This casual family hotspot has a full menu stocked with calzones, breakfast, sandwiches, and Sunday brunch, including their signature sweet potato pancakes, sausage gravy biscuits, and made-to-order omelets. 
 
Buy something truly unique from Charlotte's Web and Primitive Gatherings, an antique mall with a wonderful array of fine antiques, pottery, clocks, glassware, and furniture. Vendors are always bringing in new things, so make sure you check in regularly! 
 
Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse is an award-winning restaurant featuring prime and certified angus beef alongside fresh Maine lobster. Enjoy a specialty martini while relaxing in the bar or indulge in a sophisticated meal inside this acclaimed eatery. 
 
After polishing off a juicy steak, satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to the Salem Ice Cream Parlor, an old-fashioned establishment with a large variety of delicious flavors, sundaes, and shakes.
 

Things to Do

Salem is home to the Salem Red Sox, an AA minor league professional baseball team and Boston Red Sox affiliate. They play at the LewisGale Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark, a state-of-the-art facility characterized by its spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 
 
Green Hill Park is one of Roanoke County's largest parks and features ball fields, shelters, hiking trails, playgrounds, and river access for fishing. While Green Hill is one of Roanoke County's largest parks, Longwood Park is the largest in Salem and has an amphitheater often used for concerts and movie screenings. 
 
Health-conscious individuals will want to frequent the Salem Farmers Market, a distinguished venue that regularly hosts special events like concerts, fundraisers, and health fairs in addition to their weekly bluegrass jams and charity events. It's considered the heart of the Salem community and opens from April to December each year. 
 
It wouldn't be the Championship City without some incredible international and national sports championships! The Salem Half Marathon is the area's leading road race, which starts and finishes at the Salem Farmers Market downtown and takes runners on a scenic tour through some of the town's most beautiful natural landmarks.
 

Schools

Salem City Schools include notable educational institutions like Salem High and Glenvar High. Salem is also home to Roanoke College. 

Overview for Salem, VA

25,335 people live in Salem, where the median age is 40.8 and the average individual income is $36,244. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

25,335

Total Population

40.8 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$36,244

Average individual Income

Around Salem, VA

There's plenty to do around Salem, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

65
Somewhat Walkable
Walking Score
44
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Jolly Grape, Tacos Coronado, and Mountain Grille.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dining 4.55 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 0.19 miles 34 reviews 4.9/5 stars
Dining 0 miles 7 reviews 4.9/5 stars
Dining 4.97 miles 7 reviews 4.9/5 stars
Active 1.8 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Beauty 4.55 miles 8 reviews 5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Salem, VA

Salem has 9,971 households, with an average household size of 2.29. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Salem do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 25,335 people call Salem home. The population density is 1,745.42 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

25,335

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

40.8

Median Age

47.62 / 52.38%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
9,971

Total Households

2.29

Average Household Size

$36,244

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Schools in Salem, VA

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby Salem. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating

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