Salem is a city in Harrison County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,485 at the 2020 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. Salem University is located in Salem.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code26426

Area code304

Living in Salem

Housing in Salem

$128K▲ 6% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Salem home is worth about $128,000, up 6% in a year, 29% below the West Virginia typical home.

Only 2 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Salem

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Salem for work: only 7% work in town. The top destinations are Bridgeport (10%), Clarksburg (9%) and Fairmont (4%). Half commute less than 18 miles.

Bridgeport

10%

Clarksburg

Fairmont

West Union

7%Work in townlive and work in Salem 18 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 356Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Salem →

Health in Salem

Health Grade D

Healthier than 5% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 32% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with West Virginia

2better than WV·7worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 23 are too close to call.

Conditions 2▲ 10 close Habits all close Care 3▼ 4 close Mind all close Everyday needs 4▼ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

7.6%Fewer adults who have had cancerWV 9.6% · better 33.7%Fewer adults with arthritisWV 37.7% · better 12.4%More adults without reliable transportationWV 8.9% · worse

Care nearby

Clarksburg VA Medical CenterClarksburg · 10.8 mi · ER

Community Care of ClarksburgClarksburg · 10.2 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Salem · CMS · HRSAHealth in Salem →

Natural hazards in Salem

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 79% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding

21Does Salem flood?paid flood claims since 1979 6Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Salem

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Salem →

Climate in Salem

Full climate →

Salem has chilly winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 22°, and about 24 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

43° / 24°Winter

65° / 40°Spring

83° / 60°Summer

66° / 43°Fall

How much snow does Salem get?About 24 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 23, with the last in spring around Apr 22.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.2° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Salem →

Schools in Salem

All Salem schools →

School Grade A

The public schools Salem’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 88% of West Virginia’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictHarrison County SchoolsSchools1

Salem Elementary AElementary · Grades PK–5 · 173 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within WV. Ratings are from neighbors.