Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
It is a town of 385 residents in Georgia.
Salem’s median age is 57.5 years, against 36.5 years in Georgia’s towns and 40.5 years across U.S. towns. No town among the 260 in Georgia we compare has a lower typical rent than Salem. Salem has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Census counts: 339 in 2000, 307 in 2020. The archive holds 1 old photo or paper and 2 maps from 1974 on.
Explore the history →In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Ordered by what stands out in Salem.
The top destinations are Thomaston (20%), Macon-Bibb County (11%) and Atlanta (5%). 18% of Salem residents live below the poverty line. The median commute is under 35 miles. In Salem, the mean commuting time is 23 minutes.
| Salem | Georgia towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty line | 18% | 15% | 9.6% |
| Average trip to work | 23 minutes | 26 minutes | 25 minutes |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
In Salem, the FEMA risk score is 25 of 100. 44% of the town’s expected losses from natural hazards come from inland flooding, followed by drought at 24%. Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 75% of U.S. communities.
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
The share of adults in Salem who have diabetes: 22%. Among 262 Georgia towns, just 2 have a higher share of adults who had a checkup this year than Salem. On the CDC’s 32 measures, Salem is ahead of Georgia on 6 and behind on 17.
| Salem | Georgia towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 22% | 14% | 12% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 9.9% | 14% | 16% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 52% | 38% | 35% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 20% | 23% |
| What stands out | Salem | GA |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer binge drinkers | 9.9% | 14.5% |
| Fewer adults with depression | 15.1% | 19% |
| More adults who have had a stroke | 6.2% | 3.6% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Salem is unincorporated, so Upson County and regional agencies provide most services.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
Where Salem’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
None within 15 miles of Salem; the nearest are
About 11 of every 100 Salem residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Georgia.
Place in Georgia, United States
Salem is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Upson County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, Salem had a population of 307.
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Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Salem has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
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