Salem, Ohio

Salem, Ohio
City
Location of Salem, OH
Map of Salem, Ohio showing municipal boundaries
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Columbiana, Mahoning
Government
• Type	Statutory
• Mayor	John C. Berlin (R)
• Council President	Michelle Cope Weaver (R)
Area
• Total	6.43 sq mi (16.65 km2)
• Land	6.43 sq mi (16.65 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation Template:GR	1,227 ft (374 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	12,303
• Estimate  (2012)	12,161
• Density	1,913.4/sq mi (738.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	44460
Area code(s)	330, 234
FIPS code	39-69834Template:GR
GNIS feature ID	1045870Template:GR
Website	www.cityofsalemohio.org

Salem is a city in northern Columbiana County and extreme southern Mahoning County, Ohio, United States. At the 2010 census, the city's population was 12,303.

Salem is a principal city of the East Liverpool-Salem Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Columbiana County. The small portion of the city that extends into Mahoning County is considered part of the Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area. Both of these are components of the Youngstown-Warren-East Liverpool, OH-PA Combined Statistical Area.

Geography

Salem is located at 40°54′3″N 80°51′10″W (40.900885, -80.852831).Template:GR

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.43 square miles (16.65 km²), all of it land.

The city of Salem is mostly, but not completely (see map) surrounded by Perry Township. As with other townships in Ohio, Perry Township has been subject to annexation in recent years. Residents of land annexed to the city of Salem enjoy all benefits other residents of the city enjoy, and by Ohio law are now themselves residents of the city of Salem.

Several acres of Salem Township and Green Township were annexed into the city limits in 2000 and 2001. Other actions to spur economic development undertaken around the same time annexed specific land: in 1999, 82.24 acres (332,800 m²) of Salem Township were granted police and fire protection, snow removal service, and other standard services already provided to the City of Salem by Ordinance passed by the city government.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	1,889		—
1870	3,700		95.9%
1880	4,041		9.2%
1890	5,780		43.0%
1900	7,582		31.2%
1910	8,943		18.0%
1920	10,305		15.2%
1930	10,622		3.1%
1940	12,301		15.8%
1950	12,754		3.7%
1960	13,854		8.6%
1970	14,186		2.4%
1980	12,865		−9.3%
1990	12,233		−4.9%
2000	12,197		−0.3%
2010	12,303		0.9%

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 12,303 people, 5,272 households, and 3,118 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,913.4 inhabitants per square mile (738.8/km²). There were 5,763 housing units at an average density of 896.3 per square mile (346.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 1.6% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 5,272 households of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the city was 42.8 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 28.3% were from 45 to 64; and 19.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

2000 census

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 12,197 people, 5,146 households, and 3,249 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,228.2 people per square mile (860.9/km²). There were 5,505 housing units at an average density of 1,005.7 per square mile (388.6/km²).

The racial makeup of the city was 98.4% White, 0.5% African-American, 0.09% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 0.1% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race comprised 0.5% of the population.

The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.92. Of the 5,146 households, 63.1% were considered "family" households, and 36.9% were considered "non-family" households. 28.1% of family households had their own children under the age of 18 living with them.

48.7% of the family households were counted as married couple family households, with parents living together (20% of which had their own children under age 18 living with them). 10.6% of family households had a female householder with no husband present (5.9% of which had their own children under 18 living with them).

32.8% of the non-family households consisted of individuals living alone (17.1% of which had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older).

In the city the population was spread out with 6% under the age of 5, 6.1% aged 5–9, 6.8% aged 10–14, 6.4% aged 15–19, 5.6% aged 20–24, 12.9% aged 25–34, 14.6% aged 35–44, 13% aged 45–54, 4.8% aged 55–59, 3.8% aged 60–64, 8.6% aged 65–74, 8.3% aged 75–84, and 3.2% aged 85 and over. The median age was 39.5 years. There are more females in Salem (6,596) than males (5,601).

The median income for a household in the city (in 1999 U. S. dollars) was $30,006, and the median income for a family (in 1999 U. S. dollars) was $40,191. Males who worked full-time, year-round had a median income of $31,630 versus $19,471 for females who worked full-time, year-round. The per capita income for the city was $16,579, and 318 families (9.8%) and 1,376 individuals (11.7%) fell below the poverty line.

Social characteristics

Of the population aged 3 years or older, 7.2% of children were enrolled in nursery or preschool, 6.2% were in kindergarten, 45.9% were enrolled in grades 1 through 8, 24.9% were in high school (grades 9-12), and 15.8% were attending college or graduate school.

Among residents aged 25 and over, 4.8% attained less than a 9th grade education, 13.1% completed 9th through 12th grade but had no diploma, 44.1% had a high school diploma or GED, 17.3% had some college but no degree, 5.7% earned an Associate degree, 10.9% achieved a Bachelor degree, and 4.1% held a graduate or professional degree.

For residents aged over 15, 22.9% had never been married, 53.8% were married (except separated), 2.6% were separated, 9.9% were widowed (8.6% of which were female), and 10.8% were divorced (6.7% of which were female).

63 of the 130 grandparents living in household with one or more of their own grandchildren under 18 years were responsible for the grandchildren.

16% of the adult civilian population over the age of 18 were civilian veterans.

6.4% of the population between the ages of 5 and 20 had a disability, as did 15.6% of those between 21 and 64 and 48.7% of the population over age 65.

58.1% listed that they lived in the same house as they did in 1995, and 41.7% lived in a different house at that time (28.2% of which nonetheless resided in the same county).

98.8% were considered "native"—born in the United States or outside of the United States but not foreign-born. Of that 98.8%, 77.3% were born in the state of their residence and 21.5% were born in another state or location other than their residence. 1.2% were foreign-born (.2% of which entered the United States between 1990 and March 2000), with .7% naturalized citizens and .5% non-citizens. Those born in foreign countries were primarily from Europe (33%), followed by Asia (30.3%), Northern America (28.9%), and Latin America (7%). In terms of ancestry, most residents cited German heritage (28.3%), followed by Irish (Celtic) (16.7%), English (12.5%), Italian (10.6%), Other ancestries (10.5%), United States or American (6.6%), Dutch (2.9%), French (2.4%), Scottish (2.4%), Polish (2.3%), Slovak (1.9%), Scotch-Irish (1.4%), Hungarian (1.3%), Welsh (1.3%), and less than 1% (but greater than 0) for each of the following: Arab, Czech, French Canadian, Greek, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Russian, Swedish, Swiss, Ukrainian, and West Indian (excluding Hispanic) groups.

97.1% of the population spoke only English in their home.

History

Origins and settlers

Salem was founded by a Pennsylvanian potter, John Straughan (Strawn) and a New Jersey clockmaker, Zadok Street, in 1806. The city’s name comes from “shalom” and “salaam,” and means “peace.”

Early settlers to the city included the Religious Society of Friends (“Quakers”), which the school system’s sports teams honor by referring to themselves collectively as the "Quakers."

Contributions to American history

Active in the abolitionist movement of the early- to mid-19th century, Salem acted as a hub for the American Underground Railroad, with several homes serving as “stations.” Salem retained many of these homes, but none are open to the public at present.

In April 1850, Salem hosted the first Women's Rights Convention in Ohio, the second such convention in the United States. J. Elizabeth Jones delivered an address, and men were refused attendance for the two-day proceedings.

While radio DJ Alan Freed was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, he grew up in Salem. While working at a radio station in Cleveland, he coined the phrase "Rock & Roll."

Prosperity through industry

Over its history, Salem thrived on an industrial-based economy, advantageously located between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. For several decades, the largest corporations located in Salem were American Standard, Eljer,Mullins Manufacturing Corp, Deming Pump and Salem China. Today, American Standard and several tool-and-die manufacturers remain.

National recognition of historic resources

Two sections of the city are designated National Register historic districts: the "Salem Downtown Historic District” (bounded by Vine Avenue, Ohio Avenue, East Pershing Street, South Ellsworth Avenue, and Sugar Tree Alley, designated 1995), and the "South Lincoln Avenue Historic District" (designated 1993), which includes several of the town’s monumental and architecturally distinctive homes.

Other city properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places include: the Burchfield Homestead (home to Charles Burchfield from ages five to twenty-eight), Daniel Howell Hise House (home of local Quaker abolitionist and Underground Railroad station), the (Former) Salem Methodist Episcopal Church|First United Methodist Church of Salem, and the John Street House (Underground Railroad station and home to descendant of city founder).

Schools

Salem is served by the Salem City School District. Additionally, Kent State University operates a regional campus in Salem, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown operates St. Paul Elementary School in Salem.

Notable people

• Charles Burchfield, 20th-century painter
• John Allen Campbell, first Governor of the Wyoming Territory
• Alan Freed, disc jockey

External links

• Salem Public Library
• Official Web site of the City of Salem
• Salem Chamber of Commerce