Salem (city), Virginia: Power, Data Centers and the Local Economy
No data center or power plant project is on record in Salem (city), but the national build-out still reaches it through its utility bill, its labor market and the projects next door. Salem (city) is an independent city: it is its own county-equivalent and is not part of any county. Employers here counted 20,590 jobs in 2025, up 6.0% from 2019. Unemployment was 3.5% in August 2026, against 2.8% in 2019. 25,816 people live here, up 1.6% since 2020.
Cities and towns in Salem (city)
Salem (city) is an independent city: it is its own county-equivalent and is not part of any county.
Residents are 2025 Census estimates for the part of each city, town or township inside this county. Census publishes no annual estimate for unincorporated communities.
What changed in Salem (city)
1st = the most. Ranks cover counties with a value on record.
| Measure | Then | Now | Change | Rank in Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2020 → 2025) | 25,398 | 25,816 | ▲ 1.6% | 71st of 133 by size |
| Total jobs (2019 → 2025) | 19,418 | 20,590 | ▲ 6.0% | 36th of 133 by growth |
| Average annual pay (2019 → 2025) | $49,647 | $66,432 | ▲ 33.8% | — |
| Unemployment rate (2019 → August 2026) | 2.8% | 3.5% | ▲ 0.7pts | — |
Who powers Salem (city)
No operating power plant is located in Salem (city) in the EIA-860M inventory. Its power comes over the grid from plants elsewhere.
The Salem (city) labor market
| Industry (2025) | Jobs | Average pay | Concentration vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| All industries | 20,590 | $66,432 | 1.00 |
Concentration is the BLS location quotient: 1.0 means the industry holds the same share of local jobs as it does nationally. Industry rows count private employers; cells BLS suppresses are left out.
Data centers and local rules in Salem (city)
No data center, local measure or delayed project is on record in Salem (city). Virginia has 13 local measures on record statewide.
Salem (city) and its neighbors
Of the 2 counties that border Salem (city), Roanoke County carries the most build-out activity: data centers, planned generation and operating plants combined.
| County | Population | Jobs since 2019 | Operating MW | Planned MW | Data centers | Local measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem (city) | 25,816 | ▲ 6.0% | — | — | — | — |
| Roanoke (city) | 99,111 | ▲ 0.8% | — | — | — | — |
| Roanoke County | 97,150 | ▼ 4.6% | 4 MW | — | — | — |
More of Virginia
Salem (city), answered from the record
Are there data centers in Salem (city)?
The SAVRN Data Center Map has no data center in Salem (city).
What county is Salem, VA in?
Salem is in Salem (city), Virginia. About 25,816 people live there (2025 Census estimate).
Is Salem (city) adding jobs?
Employers counted 20,590 jobs in 2025 against 19,418 in 2019 (+6.0%, BLS QCEW).
Does Salem (city) have a data center moratorium?
No county-level measure is on record for Salem (city). Virginia has 13 local measures statewide, listed on the state page.