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Salem, Kentucky
Main Street downtown
Main Street downtown
Location of Salem in Livingston County, Kentucky.
Location of Salem in Livingston County, Kentucky.
Country United States
State Kentucky
County Livingston
Established before 1816
Incorporated 1869
Named for the Carolinian hometown of the original settlers
Area
 • Total 0.85 sq mi (2.21 km2)
 • Land 0.85 sq mi (2.21 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
443 ft (135 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 722
 • Density 847.42/sq mi (327.33/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
42078
Area code(s) 270 & 364
FIPS code 21-68052
GNIS feature ID 0502766

Salem is a home rule-class city in Livingston County, Kentucky, in the United States. Salem is part of the Paducah micropolitan area. The population was 752 during the 2010 census, down from 769 in 2000. It the largest city in Livingston County, although the unincorporated community of Ledbetter has more than twice the population of Salem.

History

The city is believed to have been settled c. 1800 by immigrants from Salem, North Carolina, who named their new community after their former home. It replaced Centerville as Livingston Co.'s seat in 1809 but was replaced in turn by Smithland in 1842 after the removal of Crittenden Co. left it more centrally-located.

Geography

Salem is located at 37°15′53″N 88°14′28″W / 37.26472°N 88.24111°W / 37.26472; -88.24111 (37.264694, -88.241221). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1830 281
1840 233 −17.1%
1860 192
1870 50 −74.0%
1880 132 164.0%
1900 208
1910 320 53.8%
1920 252 −21.2%
1970 593
1980 833 40.5%
1990 770 −7.6%
2000 769 −0.1%
2010 752 −2.2%
2020 722 −4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

At the 2000 census there were 769 people in 322 households, including 202 families, in the city. The population density was 987.6 people per square mile (380.7/km2). There were 370 housing units at an average density of 475.2 per square mile (183.2/km2). The racial makup of the city was 99.22% White, 0.26% African American, 0.13% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65%.

Of the 322 households 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 34.2% of households were one person and 23.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.72.

The age distribution was 16.9% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 19.9% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 31.5% 65 or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.

The median household income was $29,196 and the median family income was $37,857. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,156. About 7.1% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Salem (Kentucky) para niños

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