Salem, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Salem
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Downtown Salem, July 2019
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Location of Salem in Marion County, Illinois.
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Marion |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.15 sq mi (18.51 km2) |
| • Land | 6.99 sq mi (18.11 km2) |
| • Water | 0.15 sq mi (0.40 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,282 |
| • Density | 1,041.62/sq mi (402.18/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code(s) |
62881
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| Area code(s) | 618 |
| FIPS code | 17-67236 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Salem, Illinois |
| Website | City of 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 38°38′N 88°57′W / 38.633°N 88.950°W (38.6282, -88.9482).
According to the 2010 census, Salem has a total area of 7.097 square miles (18.38 km2), of which 6.94 square miles (17.97 km2) (or 97.79%) is land and 0.157 square miles (0.41 km2) (or 2.21%) is water.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 1,182 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,327 | 12.3% | |
| 1890 | 1,493 | 12.5% | |
| 1900 | 1,642 | 10.0% | |
| 1910 | 2,669 | 62.5% | |
| 1920 | 3,457 | 29.5% | |
| 1930 | 4,420 | 27.9% | |
| 1940 | 7,319 | 65.6% | |
| 1950 | 6,159 | −15.8% | |
| 1960 | 6,165 | 0.1% | |
| 1970 | 6,187 | 0.4% | |
| 1980 | 7,813 | 26.3% | |
| 1990 | 7,470 | −4.4% | |
| 2000 | 7,909 | 5.9% | |
| 2010 | 7,485 | −5.4% | |
| 2020 | 7,282 | −2.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
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 (500.6/km2). There were 3,473 housing units at an average density of 569.3 per square mile (219.8/km2). 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.
Arts and culture
Salem is 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.
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Wikisource has the text of a 1905 New International Encyclopedia article about Salem, Illinois. |
Education
Public schools:
- Salem Community High School
- Salem Elementary School
- Selmaville Elementary School
Notable people
- William Jennings Bryan, 41st US Secretary of State; US congressman representing Nebraska's 1st district, 3-time U.S. presidential candidate; born in Salem
- Charles W. Bryan, 20th and 23rd governor of Nebraska; younger brother of William Jennings Bryan; born in Salem
- Jim Finks, pro football player and executive; attended high school in Salem
- Jim Bredar, basketball player for 1950-51 Illinois team that reached NCAA basketball tournament's Final Four; born in Salem
- Merle Harmon, sports broadcaster; born in Salem
- Bill Laswell, bassist, producer, and record label owner
- Jess Marlow, television journalist; born in Salem
- Rockette Morton, musician and bassist with Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band.
- John T. Scopes, science teacher who defended the teaching of Evolution against William Jennings Bryan in Dayton, Tennessee at the Scopes Trial
- Morrie Steevens, pitcher for Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies; born in Salem
- Erastus D. Telford, Illinois state senator and lawyer
- Jared Simmons, musician with Vipid who performed at one of the largest digital music events, #iVoted Festival in 2020; born in Salem
See also
In Spanish: Salem (Illinois) para niños
