Salem, West Virginia

Salem, West Virginia
City
Main Street in Salem in 2006
Location of Salem, West Virginia
Coordinates: 39°17′0″N 80°33′46″W / 39.28333°N 80.56278°W / 39.28333; -80.56278Coordinates: 39°17′0″N 80°33′46″W / 39.28333°N 80.56278°W / 39.28333; -80.56278
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Harrison
Area[1]
• Total	1.34 sq mi (3.47 km2)
• Land	1.34 sq mi (3.47 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	1,050 ft (320 m)
Population (2010)[2]
• Total	1,586
• Estimate (2012[3])	1,574
• Density	1,183.6/sq mi (457.0/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	26426
Area code(s)	304
FIPS code	54-71380[4]
GNIS feature ID	1546280[5]

Salem is a city in Harrison County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,586 at the 2010 census. It is located at the junction of U.S. Route 50 and West Virginia Route 23; the North Bend Rail Trail passes through the city.^[6] Salem International University is located in Salem.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census^[2] of 2010, there were 1,586 people, 662 households, and 384 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,183.6 inhabitants per square mile (457.0/km²). There were 834 housing units at an average density of 622.4 per square mile (240.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.5% White, 4.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 662 households of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.4% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.0% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 36.1 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 15.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 2,006 people, 744 households, and 412 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,451.0 people per square mile (561.2/km²). There were 858 housing units at an average density of 620.6 per square mile (240.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.39% White, 2.34% African American, 0.20% Native American, 7.93% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

There were 744 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.6% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was spread out with 18.3% under the age of 18, 25.2% from 18 to 24, 21.0% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $16,577, and the median income for a family was $27,688. Males had a median income of $27,031 versus $16,667 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,188. About 26.7% of families and 34.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.6% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

Geography

Salem is located at 39°17′0″N 80°33′46″W / 39.28333°N 80.56278°W / 39.28333; -80.56278 (39.283411, -80.562731),^[7] along Salem Fork, a tributary of Tenmile Creek.,^[6] in western Harrison County

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.34 square miles (3.47 km²), all of it land.^[1]

History

Salem Fire 2006.

Salem was settled by Seventh Day Baptists (the Davis and Randolph families among them).

Salem has a history of large fires. The same full city block has burned down twice in the city's history. The north side of Main Street downtown burned once in 1901 and again on March 2, 2006. The more recent fire burned the old city bank building, several store fronts, and several residences; five structures in all were damaged. The fire was determined to have been started by a hot water tank in an apartment. The fire departments' ability to put out the blaze was hampered by a limited city water supply; they were forced to draw water from the nearby creek.^[8]

The Salem College Administration Building and Salem Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.^[9]

Notable natives

• Jennings Randolph: US Senator
• Melvin Mayfield: United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

References

Municipalities and communities of Harrison County, West Virginia, United States County seat: Clarksburg Cities Bridgeport Clarksburg Salem Shinnston Stonewood Towns Anmoore Lost Creek Lumberport Nutter Fort West Milford CDPs Despard Enterprise Gypsy Hepzibah Spelter Wolf Summit Unincorporated communities Adamsville Arlington Bethlehem Bristol Dawmont Dixie East Salem East View Flinderation Glen Falls Goodhope Haywood Jimtown Katy Lick Maken Manayka Marshville McAlpin McWhorter Meadowbrook Mount Clare Oral Lake Peora Pine Bluff Quiet Dell Reynoldsville Seminole Viropa Wallace Wilsonburg Wyatt