Salem, South Dakota facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Salem, South Dakota
City
Downtown Salem
Motto(s):  "A City To Grow In......."
Location in McCook County and the state of South Dakota
Country	United States
State	South Dakota
County	McCook
Incorporated	1888
Area
• Total	1.25 sq mi (3.24 km2)
• Land	1.25 sq mi (3.24 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	1,522 ft (464 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,325
• Density	1,060.00/sq mi (409.15/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP code	57058
Area code(s)	605
FIPS code	46-57340
GNIS feature ID	1267560
Website	http://www.salemsd.com

Salem is the county seat of McCook County, South Dakota, United States. The city's population was 1,325 at the 2020 census. The current mayor is Shawn English.

History

Salem was founded in 1880 and named after the postmaster's hometown of Salem, Massachusetts. Salem at one time was called Melas ('Melas' is Salem spelled backwards). This was to prevent confusion with the now non-existent community of Salena, South Dakota.

Salem, South Dakota real photo postcard sent February 11, 1913

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.24 square miles (3.21 km²), all land.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,347 people, 567 households, and 362 families living in the city. The population density was 1,086.3 inhabitants per square mile (419.4/km²). There were 667 housing units at an average density of 537.9 per square mile (207.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.8% White, 0.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.6% from other races, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 567 households, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.2% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age in the city was 44.3 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.4% were from 25 to 44; 23.8% were from 45 to 64; and 25.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

Community

Education

Salem, South Dakota is home to one public school and one private school. Public school McCook Central teaches students from kindergarten to high school, while Saint Mary's private school teaches kindergarten to eighth grade.

McCook Central High School had a student to teacher ratio of 13:1 and had 111 students enrolled in the 2013–14 school year. The high school's student body makeup for the 2013–14 school year was 49% male and 51% female. The public school has been under construction for over a year and its $7.1 million building project will soon be completed. The new building will house the middle school and high school students at the school. The new building will be replacing the original school which was built in 1924. The new school will have a stage, performing arts center, commons areas, classrooms, offices, and bathrooms. The most-popular student activities at the public school are FFA, band, chorus, and sports.

High school athletics

Entertainment/recreation

Salem has a country club with a nine-hole golf course, a bowling alley, three parks, a swimming pool, track, football field, gym, yoga, baseball diamond, and two softball diamonds. Salem also has a community library.

See also

In Spanish: Salem (Dakota del Sur) para niños