City of Salem, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Salem is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 25,816, up 1.9% since 2020. It covers about 15 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1802 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 25,816 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 25,398 |
| Change 2020–2025 | 1.6% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 71 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Salem is one of Virginia's 38 independent cities. In Virginia, an independent city is not part of any county; it runs its own local government, courts and schools.[1] Salem is also the county seat of Roanoke County, even though the city is legally separate from that county.[2] Its founding date is recorded as 1802.[2] The name comes from Salem.[2]
Population of Salem
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Salem at 25,816 in July 2025, up 1.9% from the April 2020 base of 25,341.[1] That made it 71st of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 65th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 1,611 births and 2,115 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 504.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 549. Moves from abroad added 410.[1]
Geography
The City of Salem covers 14.5 square miles of land and 0.1 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 113th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 1,778 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 37.29° N, 80.06° W.[3]
The city borders Roanoke County and the City of Roanoke.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 5 named streams and 1 lake or reservoir in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Salem in a county?
No. Salem is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Salem?
About 25,816 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Salem?
About 15 square miles of land, plus 0.1 square miles of water.
References
- [1] U.S. Census Bureau, County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025 (Vintage 2025) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] Wikidata, Salem city, Virginia (open data, CC0) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files: Counties – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File (2024) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [5] U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), Domestic Names – last checked 11/08/2026
Official website: www.salemva.gov
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.