Salem, Missouri | |
|---|---|
| City of Salem | |
 Location of Salem, Missouri | |
| Coordinates:37°38′24″N91°32′05″W / 37.64000°N 91.53472°W /37.64000; -91.53472 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Dent |
| Township | Spring Creek East,Spring Creek West |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council government |
| • Mayor | Greg Parker[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.48 sq mi (9.01 km2) |
| • Land | 3.48 sq mi (9.01 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,168 ft (356 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 4,608 |
| • Density | 1,324.5/sq mi (511.41/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 65560 |
| Area code | 573 |
| FIPS code | 29-65234[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396528[3] |
| Website | https://www.salemmo.com/ |
Salem is a city in and thecounty seat ofDent County,Missouri, United States. The population was 4,608 at the2020 census,[5] which allows Salem to become aClass 3 city in Missouri; however, the city has chosen to remain a Class 4 city under Missouri Revised Statutes.[6][7][8] Salem is located a few miles[quantify] north of theOzark Scenic Riverways and close toMontauk State Park, which contains the headwaters of theCurrent River.
The name Salem is derived from the Hebrew wordShalom, meaning "peace".[9]
Dent County was first explored by Dustin Counts and settled between 1818 and 1829. In 1851, the Missouri Assembly created Dent County from portions of Crawford Shannon and Texas counties. It was named for early settler Lewis Dent, who served as the first representative. A log courthouse, builtc. 1851–1852, was Dent County's first and was located on the Wingfield farm northeast of Salem. W. P. Williams became the first mayor of Salem in 1860, just after the Missouri State Legislature passed laws regarding the administration of village government.[10] During theAmerican Civil War, units of the 5thMissouri State Militia would sometimesgarrison in Salem.[11] Village governments were suspended during the Civil War.[12] In 1881, Salem was incorporated as a town.[13]The town's museums include the Dent County Museum, the Ozark Natural & Cultural Resource Center, the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History, and a historic Downtown Walking Tour.[14][15]
TheDam and Spillway in the Hatchery Area at Montauk State Park,Dent County Courthouse,Lower Parker School,Montauk State Park Open Shelter,Nova Scotia Ironworks Historic District,Old Mill at Montauk State Park, andW.A. Young House are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[16]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.18 square miles (8.24 km2), all land.
Salem has ahumid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classificationCfa). It has cool winters and warm summers with consistent rainfall year-round.
| Climate data for Salem, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1903–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 84 (29) | 85 (29) | 92 (33) | 93 (34) | 97 (36) | 112 (44) | 111 (44) | 112 (44) | 106 (41) | 93 (34) | 86 (30) | 79 (26) | 112 (44) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 42.6 (5.9) | 47.9 (8.8) | 57.3 (14.1) | 68.0 (20.0) | 75.5 (24.2) | 83.2 (28.4) | 87.6 (30.9) | 86.8 (30.4) | 79.5 (26.4) | 68.8 (20.4) | 55.7 (13.2) | 45.2 (7.3) | 66.5 (19.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 32.2 (0.1) | 36.7 (2.6) | 45.8 (7.7) | 56.1 (13.4) | 64.3 (17.9) | 72.0 (22.2) | 76.3 (24.6) | 75.1 (23.9) | 67.5 (19.7) | 56.8 (13.8) | 45.2 (7.3) | 35.6 (2.0) | 55.3 (12.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 21.8 (−5.7) | 25.6 (−3.6) | 34.2 (1.2) | 44.2 (6.8) | 53.1 (11.7) | 60.9 (16.1) | 64.9 (18.3) | 63.4 (17.4) | 55.5 (13.1) | 44.9 (7.2) | 34.7 (1.5) | 26.0 (−3.3) | 44.1 (6.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −28 (−33) | −23 (−31) | −8 (−22) | 13 (−11) | 29 (−2) | 30 (−1) | 44 (7) | 39 (4) | 27 (−3) | 16 (−9) | −2 (−19) | −21 (−29) | −28 (−33) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 2.69 (68) | 2.81 (71) | 4.04 (103) | 4.98 (126) | 5.63 (143) | 4.22 (107) | 3.68 (93) | 4.33 (110) | 4.03 (102) | 3.71 (94) | 3.93 (100) | 2.95 (75) | 47.00 (1,194) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.4 (1.0) | 0.5 (1.3) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.1 (0.25) | 1.3 (3.3) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 8.7 | 9.0 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 12.0 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 8.2 | 7.0 | 8.3 | 9.3 | 9.0 | 111.0 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.7 |
| Source:NOAA[17][18] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 280 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,624 | 480.0% | |
| 1890 | 1,815 | 11.8% | |
| 1900 | 1,481 | −18.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,796 | 21.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,771 | −1.4% | |
| 1930 | 2,250 | 27.0% | |
| 1940 | 3,151 | 40.0% | |
| 1950 | 3,611 | 14.6% | |
| 1960 | 3,870 | 7.2% | |
| 1970 | 4,363 | 12.7% | |
| 1980 | 4,454 | 2.1% | |
| 1990 | 4,486 | 0.7% | |
| 2000 | 4,854 | 8.2% | |
| 2010 | 4,950 | 2.0% | |
| 2020 | 4,608 | −6.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[19] | |||
As of thecensus[20] of 2010, there were 4,950 people, 2,152 households, and 1,248 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,556.6 inhabitants per square mile (601.0/km2). There were 2,408 housing units at an average density of 757.2 per square mile (292.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.94%White, 0.53%Black orAfrican American, 1.13%Native American, 0.16%Asian, 0.08%Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander, 0.32% fromother races, and 1.84% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.17% of the population.
There were 2,152 households, of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% weremarried couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.0% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.93.
The median age in the city was 39.5 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 20.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.5% male and 53.5% female.
As of thecensus[4] of 2000, there were 4,854 people, 2,115 households, and 1,269 families living in the city. The population density was 1,607.4 inhabitants per square mile (620.6/km2). There were 2,368 housing units at an average density of 784.2 per square mile (302.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.05%White, 0.74%African American, 0.54%Native American, 0.16%Asian, 0.25% fromother races, and 1.26% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.82% of the population.
There were 2,115 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% weremarried couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 23.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,648, and the median income for a family was $29,460. Males had a median income of $27,006 versus $17,285 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $12,766. About 12.9% of families and 17.4% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.8% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.
Salem High School is the only high school located within the city. Salem is also home to an extension ofSouthwest Baptist University.
Salem has a lending library, the Salem Public Library.[21]
National Register of Historic Places listings in Dent County, Missouri
37°38′29″N91°32′20″W / 37.64139°N 91.53889°W /37.64139; -91.53889
Municipalities and communities ofDent County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Authority control databases: Geographic |
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