Salem ZIP Codes — Lee County, AL

There is one unique ZIP code in Salem, Alabama and it is 36874. Area code: 334.

ZIP codes

111.93

sq mi land

1.59

sq mi water

334

area code

Salem, AL ZIP code map

About Salem, AL

Salem is a charming community located in Alabama, within Lee County. This small town is known for its friendly atmosphere and close-knit community. Residents enjoy a serene lifestyle, surrounded by the natural beauty of the region.

Location & geography

Salem is situated in east-central Alabama, making it a convenient location for those exploring the region. It is approximately 10 miles from the city of Auburn, 15 miles from Opelika, 30 miles from Montgomery, and about 25 miles from Phenix City. The town covers a total area of 111.93 square miles, with 1.59 square miles designated as water, contributing to its scenic landscape.

Community & economy

The character of Salem is defined by its welcoming residents and a strong sense of community. The local economy is supported by various industries, including retail, education, and health services. Daily life in Salem revolves around community events and local activities that foster a sense of belonging among its inhabitants.

Transportation

Salem is accessible via several major highways, including U.S. Route 280, which connects the town to nearby cities and areas. The nearest airport is the Auburn University Regional Airport, providing convenient air travel options for residents. Public transit options are limited, so most residents rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Salem was founded in the early 19th century, growing steadily as a small farming community. Key industries during its development included agriculture and lumber, which played significant roles in the town's economy. Over the years, Salem has maintained its small-town charm while adapting to the changing times.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Salem is that it is named after the biblical town of Salem, which means peace. Additionally, despite its small size, the town hosts various community events throughout the year, showcasing local culture and traditions.

ZIP codes for Salem, AL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
36874	Salem	Lee	View map

Demographics & statistics

10,373

Population

44.6

Median age

$54,478

Median household income

$27,025

Per capita income

$170,100

Median home value

$914

Median monthly rent

90.1%

Home ownership

9.6%

Poverty rate

3.7%

Unemployment

4,122

Housing units

20.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

364

Under 5

387

383

5–9

407

221

10–14

235

286

15–19

304

208

20–24

220

672

25–34

713

400

35–44

425

583

45–54

619

373

55–59

396

477

60–64

505

566

65–74

600

246

75–84

261

253

85+

269

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,382	23.0%
18 and over	7,991	77.0%
65 and over	2,195	21.2%
Median age	44.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 76.9%

Black or African American 20.7%

Two or more races 1.2%

Hispanic or Latino 0.9%

Asian 0.2%

Other race 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	8,048	76.9%
Black or African American	2,171	20.7%
Two or more races	129	1.2%
Hispanic or Latino	95	0.9%
Asian	18	0.2%
Other race	7	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.5%

$10k–$15k 5.9%

$15k–$25k 15.1%

$25k–$35k 8.6%

$35k–$50k 13.8%

$50k–$75k 18.0%

$75k–$100k 15.4%

$100k–$150k 11.4%

$150k–$200k 4.7%

$200k+ 2.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.5%
$10k–$15k	5.9%
$15k–$25k	15.1%
$25k–$35k	8.6%
$35k–$50k	13.8%
$50k–$75k	18.0%
$75k–$100k	15.4%
$100k–$150k	11.4%
$150k–$200k	4.7%
$200k+	2.6%
Median income	$54,478

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 14.4%

$50k–$100k 13.3%

$100k–$150k 12.3%

$150k–$200k 17.4%

$200k–$300k 25.2%

$300k–$500k 14.0%

$500k–$1M 3.1%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$170,100
Median rent / month	$914
Owner occupied	90.1%
Renter occupied	9.9%
Vacant	12.9%
Single-family detached	74.2%
Large apartment buildings	1.1%
Mobile homes	24.0%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.68

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	13.9%
2000–2009	26.7%
1990–1999	20.1%
1980–1989	16.4%
1970–1979	9.9%
1960–1969	5.7%
1950–1959	4.7%
1940–1949	1.9%
1939 or earlier	0.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	0.3%
2 bedrooms	19.7%
3 bedrooms	55.9%
4 bedrooms	19.9%
5+ bedrooms	4.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.4%
1 vehicle	23.0%
2 vehicles	38.9%
3 or more	35.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	5.8%
Electricity	83.8%
Propane / LP gas	9.1%
Wood	0.8%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,297	58.5%
Cohabiting couple	153	3.9%
Male householder, no spouse	581	14.8%
Female householder, no spouse	898	22.9%
Households with children under 18	1,011	25.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,468	37.4%
Average household size	2.64

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.8%	22.5%
Married	60.6%	56.1%
Separated	0.6%	0.5%
Widowed	2.0%	14.9%
Divorced	9.0%	6.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.3%

Some HS, no diploma 7.7%

HS graduate 34.7%

Some college, no degree 22.2%

Associate's degree 11.6%

Bachelor's degree 13.0%

Graduate / professional 7.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.0%
Bachelor's or higher	20.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	218	9.6%
Kindergarten	137	6.0%
Elementary school	895	39.4%
High school	624	27.5%
College / grad school	399	17.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.8%

Manufacturing 16.5%

Retail trade 10.7%

Transportation & utilities 10.0%

Finance & real estate 7.9%

Public administration 7.6%

Other services 6.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.0%

Professional & management 5.0%

Construction 4.1%

Agriculture & mining 1.6%

Wholesale trade 1.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	34.4%
Service	17.9%
Sales & office	15.8%
Natural resources & construction	10.1%
Production & transportation	21.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.5%
Government	20.5%
Self-employed	6.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	87.9%
Carpool	6.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.2%
Other means	0.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	30.3

Poverty

All people 9.6%

Under 18 years 15.3%

18 and over 8.0%

Married-couple families 4.0%

Female-led households 26.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	43.7%
Retirement income	29.5%
Supplemental Security	6.3%
Cash public assistance	2.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.8%
High cholesterol	35.0%
Heart disease	6.0%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	27.8%
Kidney disease	2.7%
Pulmonary disease	7.0%
Cancer	6.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.5%
No physical activity	23.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.0%
Fair or poor health	16.3%
Poor mental health	15.5%
Poor physical health	10.5%
No health insurance	14.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.5%
Visited dentist	68.7%
Cholesterol screening	91.1%
Teeth loss	13.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,112	13.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.0%
Under 18	4.9%
18–64 years	13.7%
65 and over	38.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	56.4%
Public insurance	45.0%
Uninsured under 19	5.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	9,622	92.8%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	10,009	96.5%
Born in same state	9,900	95.4%
Born in different state	4,899	47.2%
Foreign born	109	1.1%
Naturalized citizen	364	3.5%
Not a US citizen	346	95.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,780	17.2%
Italian	1,256	12.1%
French	874	8.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	207	2%
Polish	52	0.5%
Dutch	21	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.9%
Internet access	94.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Salem, AL have?

Salem, AL has one ZIP code: 36874. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.