Salem, SD town hall & government
Salem spent $2.1 million in the year to December 31, 2023, about $1,581 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Salem's government.
Where Salem's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Sales taxes 27%
- Fees & charges 22%
- Utility sales 20%
- Property taxes 16%
- Interest, fines & other 7%
- From the state 4%
- Other taxes & licenses 3%
- From the federal government <1%
Salem didn't report all of its 2023 figures to the Census Bureau, so most of these numbers are the Bureau's estimates.
Who works for Salem
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
McCook Central School District 43-7
Salem's K–12 school district, shared with Salem, Spencer, Benton, Sun Prairie, Brookfield and Richland. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from South Dakota districts overall: 50% local, 31% state, 19% federal
- Local 58%
- State 37%
- Federal 5%
Of the $11,581 per pupil, $6,466 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Which schools Salem kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Salem pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the survey estimate has a wide margin.
Contact Salem's government
Who represents Salem
Salem is represented in Congress by Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds and Representative Dusty Johnson. Larry Rhoden is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.