Living in Salem, Virginia
Salem is an independent city inside the Roanoke metro that still feels like a small town. It runs its own school division and takes Friday-night football seriously.
Housing market
The median sale price in Salem is $289,000, with most homes between $215,300 and $400,000 (about $176/sqft). A typical home runs 3 bed / 1,411 sqft (built ~1967).
Schools
Salem City Schools reports a 94% on-time graduation rate, with 78% passing Math and 79% passing Reading on Virginia SOL assessments (VDOE School Quality Profile).
Amenities & walkability
Within a few miles you'll find about 63 restaurants & cafes and 27 grocery stores. The town center is walkable (42 walkable spots within a mile). Counts from OpenStreetMap.
Parks & the outdoors
Salem has roughly 17 parks nearby, with easy access to Havens Wildlife Management Area, Appalachian Trail, Green Hill Park. Park counts from OpenStreetMap; destinations are well-known local landmarks.
Public parks & trails include Academy Street PArk, App Trail Corridor Land, Arnold R Burton Complex, Back Creek Elem School Park, Beverly Heights Park, Blue Ridge Parkway National Park, Brambleton Center, Carvins Cove Reservoir. From county/city GIS.
Newcomer resources
Government & towns
Schools & enrollment
Health & urgent care
- LewisGale — Same/Next-Day Care — LewisGale Medical Center is in Salem.
Parks & the outdoors
Newcomer & community
- Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce — Serves Salem & Roanoke County.
Community & events
Year-round, the community turns out for the Salem Fair (July), Olde Salem Days (September), Salem Red Sox baseball.
Major employers & institutions
The biggest workplaces in and around Salem: the universities, hospitals, plants, and offices that anchor the local economy.
Universities
- Roanoke College - Elizabeth Campus
- Salem High School
Colleges & training
- Roanoke College
Hospitals & health systems
- LewisGale Medical Center
- Roanoke County Health Clinic
- Salem VA Medical Center
Manufacturing & factories
- Blue Ridge Beverage
- Boiling Steel Co.
- Koppers
- Mack Trucks
- Medco Security Locks
- New Milennium Building Systems
- Salem Vent
- Synchrony
Government & public sector
- City of Salem Courthouse
- Roanoke County Courthouse
- Roanoke County Public Safety Center
- Roanoke County Social Services
- Roanoke Valley Regional Fire-EMS Training Center
- Salem City Schools
Major employers & offices
Business & industrial parks
- Appalachian Power Company
- Atlas Logistics
- Kroger Distribution
- R+L Shipping
- Saia LTL Freight
- Salem Ready Mix
- Salem Water Plant Peaking Generator
- US Foods
A starting list of the area's largest workplaces, compiled from public sources and OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).
Healthcare
LewisGale Medical Center and the Salem VA Medical Center are in the city; Carilion's Level I trauma center is a short drive east.
Internet & remote work
Cox and Comcast/Xfinity, with Glo Fiber expanding.
Climate
Same mild Roanoke Valley four-season climate; ~42 inches of rain a year.
Safety
A small independent city with a strong civic identity and low crime. Safety varies block to block, so check current local crime data before you decide.
By the numbers
Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much do homes cost in Salem?
The median sale price in Salem is $289,000, with most homes between $215,300 and $400,000.
What are property taxes like in Salem?
Salem's real-estate tax rate is about $1.19 per $100 of assessed value (roughly 1.19% a year).
How are the schools in Salem?
Salem City Schools reports a 94% on-time graduation rate, with 78% passing Math and 79% passing Reading on Virginia SOL assessments.
Who are the major employers near Salem?
Major employers include LewisGale Medical Center (Salem), Salem VA Medical Center, Salem City Schools, Roanoke College (adjacent).
Where is the nearest hospital to Salem?
LewisGale Medical Center and the Salem VA Medical Center are in the city; Carilion's Level I trauma center is a short drive east.
Compare nearby areas
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Get the numbers for a move to Salem →
Also exploring Southwest Virginia?
This is the Roanoke Metro guide. Looking a little further out? See our companion guide: