Salem, Illinois


Salem is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,485 at the 2010 census.

Geography

Salem is located at .
According to the 2010 census, Salem has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

History

Salem was formerly a sundown town. "For decades" Salem "had signs on each main road going into town, telling the blacks, that they were not allowed in town after sundown."

Demographics

At the 2000 census there were 7,909 people in 3,249 households, including 2,082 families, in the city. The population density was 1,296.5 people per square mile. There were 3,473 housing units at an average density of 569.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 97.13% White, 0.72% African American, 0.30% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.72%.
Of the 3,249 households 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 32.3% of households were one person and 17.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.
The age distribution was 23.5% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.
The median household income was $34,339 and the median family income was $42,070. Males had a median income of $31,811 versus $21,931 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,954. About 6.1% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools:
Salem is said to be home to Miracle Whip salad dressing and three homes on the National Register of Historic Places: the Charles and Naomi Bachmann House, the Badollet House, and the William Jennings Bryan Boyhood Home. Recently Grace United Methodist Church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.