Salem, Virginia
From Freepedia
| Salem, VA | |
|---|---|
| Image:VAMap-doton-Salem.PNG | |
| Founded | 1802 |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Independent city |
| Mayor | Carl E. Tarpley, Jr. |
| http://www.ci.salem.va.us/ | |
Salem is an independent city located in Virginia, USA, bordered by the city of Roanoke and Roanoke County. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 24,747. It is the county seat of Roanoke County6. The Bureau_of_Economic_Analysis combines the city of Salem with Roanoke county for statistical purposes.
Roanoke College is located in the city. The NCAA Division III football championship game, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, is played here annually. Salem is also the home to a minor league baseball team, the Salem Avalanche.
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History
Europeans first explored the area of Salem in the 1670s. Fort Lewis, named for General Andrew Lewis of what is now Roanoke county was constructed to the west of the town in 1752. The twon grew up as a small settlement serving travelers on the Great Road and was officially founded in 1802, though it received its charter in 1806. The Virginia Collegiate Institute, later Roanoke College, arrived in 1847. Salem was attacked twice during the American Civil War, but its Salem Flying Artillery was said to have fired the last Confederate shot of the war.
Salem annexed South Salem in 1953 and an eastern tract in 1960, giving it a population of 16,058 and thus making it Virginia's largest town at that time. Salem officially became a city on December 31, 1967.
At present, Salem has a certain amount of fame in the athletic community. It serves as the site of the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the NCAA Divison III Football Championship. It's high school, Salem High School is also known for its football team which won state championships in 2005, 2000, 1999, 1998, and 1996.
Geography
Salem is located at 37°17'12" North, 80°3'21" West (37.286895, -80.055836)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 37.8 km² (14.6 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 24,747 people, 9,954 households, and 6,539 families residing in the city. The population density is 654.9/km² (1,696.4/mi²). There are 10,403 housing units at an average density of 275.3/km² (713.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 91.88% White, 5.88% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.97% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.83% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 9,954 households out of which 28.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% are married couples living together, 11.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% are non-families. 29.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.84.
The age distribution is 20.9% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $38,997, and the median income for a family is $47,174. Males have a median income of $32,472 versus $23,193 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,091. 6.7% of the population and 4.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.0% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Salem homepage
- A more complete history of Salem from the Salem Museum.
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Local or Yahoo! Maps
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
- Satellite image from Google Local or Microsoft Virtual Earth
