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Moving to Salem, Virginia

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Salem, Virginia is a city located in the Roanoke Valley of Virginia. It has a population of 24,802 people according to the 2019 census. The city covers an area of about 8.2 square miles, with a median elevation of 1,858 feet above sea level.

The climate in Salem is humid subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters. The average annual temperature is around 57 degrees Fahrenheit and the average annual precipitation is around 39 inches. Snowfall is rare but can occur during the winter months.

Salem was founded in 1802 as a small village near what was then known as Big Lick, now known as Roanoke. It was incorporated as a town in 1841 and later became an independent city in 1968. Salem has long been known for its thriving industrial economy that includes paper manufacturing, printing services, food processing, electronics production, and more recently technology companies like Advance Auto Parts and Carilion Clinic have become major employers to the area.

The education system in Salem consists primarily of public schools operated by the Roanoke County Schools system including three elementary schools: Gainsboro Elementary School (K-5), Glen Cove Elementary School (K-5) and South Salem Elementary School (K-5). There are also two middle schools: Andrew Lewis Middle School (6-8) and Glenvar Middle School (6-8). High school students attend either Salem High School or Glenvar High School depending on their location within the district boundaries.

There are many landmarks located throughout Salem such as Olde Salem Days which are held annually on Main Street as well as other events like Music Festivals throughout the year at Riverwalk Park along the Roanoke River or other attractions like Mill Mountain Zoo or Explore Park which offer outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy year round. Other notable sites include Fort Lewis which served as a military fort during the Civil War and now serves as a museum for visitors to explore its history or visit nearby Dixie Caverns for some spelunking fun!

Population: 24,747. Estimated population in July 2024: 24,654 (-0.4% change)
Males: 11,677 (47.2%), Females: 13,070 (52.8%)

Zip codes: 24153.

Demographics

Median resident age: 39.2 years
Median household income: $38,997
Median house value: $104,200

Population by Race

Races in Salem:

  • White Non-Hispanic (91.3%)
  • Black (5.9%)
  • Two or more races (0.9%)
  • Hispanic (0.8%)

Ancestries: United States (18.1%), German (15.4%), English (13.2%), Irish (11.0%), Scotch-Irish (2.8%), French (2.6%).

Land area: 14.6 square miles

Population by Education

Neah Salem, Virginia is a small town located in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. It has a population of approximately 2,000 people. The town is known for its quaint charm and rural atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for those looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The median home price in Neah Salem is around $200,000, and the median household income is just over $50,000. Living costs in Neah Salem are generally lower than other areas of Virginia due to its rural nature. Utilities such as electricity and water are fairly affordable compared to other towns of similar size. Property taxes are also relatively low in Neah Salem due to its small population size. Residents can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, camping and hiking due to its close proximity to the George Washington National Forest. Shopping options in Neah Salem are limited but there are some small local shops and restaurants that offer unique products and services at reasonable prices. With its laid back atmosphere and affordable cost of living, Neah Salem is an ideal place for those looking for a peaceful place to call home.

For population 25 years and over in Salem

  • High school or higher: 82.0%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.8%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 6.7%
  • Unemployed: 3.8%
  • Mean travel time to work: 17.0 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Salem city

  • Never married: 25.5%
  • Now married: 53.0%
  • Separated: 2.1%
  • Widowed: 8.3%
  • Divorced: 11.0%

2.1% Foreign born (0.9% Asia, 0.8% Europe, 0.4% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +915 (+3.8%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Salem:

  • COLUMBIA LEWIS-GALE MEDICAL CENTER (1900 ELECTRIC ROAD)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Salem:

  • CARILION MEDICAL CENTER (about 10 miles; ROANOKE, VA)
  • CATAWBA HOSPITAL (about 11 miles; CATAWBA, VA)
  • CARILION FRANKLIN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 25 miles; ROCKY MOUNT, VA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Salem:

  • ROANOKE REGIONAL/WOODRUM FIELD (about 7 miles; ROANOKE, VA; Abbreviation: ROA)
  • GREENBRIER VALLEY (about 45 miles; LEWISBURG, WV; Abbreviation: LWB)
  • LYNCHBURG REGIONAL/PRESTON GLENN FLD (about 60 miles; LYNCHBURG, VA; Abbreviation: LYH)

Other public-use airports nearest to Salem:

  • VIRGINIA TECH (about 25 miles; BLACKSBURG, VA; Abbreviation: BCB)
  • SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE (about 36 miles; MONETA, VA; Abbreviation: W91)
  • NEW RIVER VALLEY (about 44 miles; DUBLIN, VA; Abbreviation: PSK)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Salem:

  • NATIONAL BUSINESS COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 2,382; Location: 1813 E MAIN ST; Private, for-profit; Website: www.ncbt.edu)
  • ROANOKE COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 1,617; Location: 221 COLLEGE LN; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.roanoke.edu)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Salem:

  • VIRGINIA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 6 miles; ROANOKE, VA; Full-time enrollment: 3,535)
  • VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIV (about 22 miles; BLACKSBURG, VA; Full-time enrollment: 25,754)
  • RADFORD UNIVERSITY (about 36 miles; RADFORD, VA; Full-time enrollment: 8,034)
  • NEW RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 45 miles; DUBLIN, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,262)
  • WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY (about 54 miles; LEXINGTON, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,063)
  • LIBERTY UNIVERSITY (about 59 miles; LYNCHBURG, VA; Full-time enrollment: 5,348)
  • CONCORD COLLEGE (about 67 miles; ATHENS, WV; Full-time enrollment: 2,723)

Schools

Public high schools in Salem:

  • SALEM HIGH (Students: 1,228; Location: 400 SPARTAN DR; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • GLENVAR HIGH (Students: 536; Location: 4549 MALUS DR; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Salem:

  • ANDREW LEWIS MIDDLE (Students: 982; Location: 616 SOUTH COLLEGE AVE; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • G. W. CARVER ELEM. (Students: 441; Location: 6 FOURTH ST; Grades: KG – 05)
  • GLENVAR MIDDLE (Students: 440; Location: 4555 MALUS DR; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • WEST SALEM ELEM. (Students: 435; Location: 520 N BRUFFEY ST; Grades: KG – 05)
  • SOUTH SALEM ELEM. (Students: 414; Location: 1600 CAROLYN RD; Grades: KG – 05)
  • EAST SALEM ELEM. (Students: 410; Location: 1765 BOULEVARD; Grades: PK – 05)
  • GLENVAR ELEM. (Students: 371; Location: 4507 MALUS DR; Grades: PK – 05)
  • MASONS COVE ELEM. (Students: 235; Location: 3370 BRADSHAW RD; Grades: PK – 05)
  • FORT LEWIS ELEM. (Students: 187; Location: 3115 W MAIN ST; Grades: KG – 05)
  • ARNOLD R. BURTON TECH CTR (Location: 1760 BOULEVARD; Grades: 00 – 00)

Private primary/middle school in Salem:

  • SALEM MONTESSORI SCHOOL INC (Students: 50; Location: 1574 ROANOKE BOULEVARD; Grades: PK – KG)

Libraries

Library in Salem:

  • SALEM PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $724,330; Location: 28 E. MAIN ST.; 104,728 books; 4,870 audio materials; 3,941 video materials; 189 serial subscriptions)

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