Salem boasts a diverse and highly skilled workforce, supported by local educational institutions like Roanoke College and other regional universities. Our talent pool is equipped to meet the demands of various industries, from technology and manufacturing to healthcare and services.
OLDE SALEM BREWING, EAST MAIN STREET
Salem Demographics
SALEM
2021 Population: 25,335
Median Age: 40.8
2021 Poverty Rate: 9.95%
2021 Median Household Income: $66,472
2021 Median Property Value: $205,900
2024 Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
REGIONAL
2022 Population: 330,569
Employment (2023): 166,694
Educational Attainment aged 25 and older: 28.4%
2023 Median Household Income: $54,386
GDP: $19,149,246,000
Education
The Region, on average, graduates over 6,500 high school students each year. Award-winning Salem City Schools, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14:1, are dedicated to providing an excellent education and have a graduation rate above the state and regional averages.
COLLEGIATE EDUCATION
Salem is home to Roanoke College, A private 4-year liberal arts College, home to 2,000 undergraduate students. Within an hour's drive, 100,000 undergraduate and graduate students graduate from highly-ranked institutions such as Roanoke College, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Western Community College.
Workforce Development Programming
The Roanoke Region has numerous partners and institutions ready to assist you in advancing your staff to the next level.
GREATER ROANOKE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
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CAREER & TECHNICAL TRAINING PROGRAMS
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Learn More/Contact Us
The Economic Development Department is responsible for assisting in improving Salem's natural and built environments. This is achieved through the Department's involvement in most major public and private development projects during the City's development review processes, long-range planning, and economic development activities.
Situated in the Roanoke Region between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains on the Roanoke River, Salem possesses all the beauty and grandeur that nature can bestow.