Salem ZIP Codes — Livingston County, KY

There is one unique ZIP code in Salem, Kentucky and it is 42078. Area code: 270/364.

ZIP codes

88.70

sq mi land

0.90

sq mi water

270/364

area code

Salem, KY ZIP code map

About Salem, KY

Salem is a charming city located in Livingston County, Kentucky. Known for its close-knit community, Salem offers a peaceful, rural lifestyle that attracts families and retirees alike. The city embodies the quintessential small-town charm that is characteristic of this region of the Bluegrass State.

Location & geography

Geographically, Salem is situated in the western part of Kentucky, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and farmlands. It is approximately 16 miles southwest of Paducah, 28 miles northeast of Mayfield, 22 miles north of Calvert City, and 38 miles west of Murray. The city covers a total land area of 88.70 square miles, with a minor water area of 0.90 square miles, offering both land and aquatic activities for residents and visitors.

Community & economy

The community in Salem is known for its friendly atmosphere and strong local ties, where residents take pride in their surroundings. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, alongside small businesses catering to the needs of the residents. Daily life in Salem is tranquil, with plenty of opportunities for family-oriented activities and community events.

Transportation

Salem is accessible via several highways, including the nearby U.S. Route 60, which provides a vital connection to other cities and amenities. The closest major airport is Barkley Regional Airport, located about 20 miles away in Paducah, which facilitates air travel for business and leisure. Public transportation options may be limited, but the city's compact nature makes it easy to navigate by car.

History

Founded in the early 19th century, Salem has deep roots in agricultural practices and local craftsmanship. Notable events in its history include the development of local businesses that have served the community for generations. Throughout its history, Salem has maintained a strong sense of identity and has adapted to modern changes while cherishing its heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Salem is that it holds an annual festival that celebrates local produce and crafts, attracting visitors from surrounding areas. Additionally, despite its small size, Salem boasts a wealth of natural beauty, including areas that are ideal for fishing and outdoor recreation.

ZIP codes for Salem, KY (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
42078	Salem	Livingston	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,764

Population

46.9

Median age

$47,232

Median household income

$24,392

Per capita income

$85,800

Median home value

$644

Median monthly rent

84.2%

Home ownership

14.9%

Poverty rate

5.7%

Unemployment

844

Housing units

8.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

101

35–44

125

45–54

115

55–59

60–64

65–74

149

75–84

137

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	345	19.6%
18 and over	1,419	80.4%
65 and over	509	28.9%
Median age	46.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.5%

Two or more races 3.9%

Black or African American 1.9%

Hispanic or Latino 1.2%

Other race 1.2%

Asian 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	1,635	91.5%
Two or more races	70	3.9%
Black or African American	34	1.9%
Hispanic or Latino	22	1.2%
Other race	22	1.2%
Asian	3	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 6.5%

$10k–$15k 9.2%

$15k–$25k 7.1%

$25k–$35k 13.8%

$35k–$50k 17.4%

$50k–$75k 15.8%

$75k–$100k 16.2%

$100k–$150k 11.5%

$150k–$200k 1.0%

$200k+ 1.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.5%
$10k–$15k	9.2%
$15k–$25k	7.1%
$25k–$35k	13.8%
$35k–$50k	17.4%
$50k–$75k	15.8%
$75k–$100k	16.2%
$100k–$150k	11.5%
$150k–$200k	1.0%
$200k+	1.4%
Median income	$47,232

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 28.4%

$50k–$100k 30.7%

$100k–$150k 22.5%

$150k–$200k 2.9%

$200k–$300k 4.1%

$300k–$500k 11.0%

$500k–$1M 0.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$85,800
Median rent / month	$644
Owner occupied	84.2%
Renter occupied	15.8%
Vacant	26.4%
Single-family detached	77.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	19.3%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.43

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.9%
2010–2019	8.2%
2000–2009	11.2%
1990–1999	10.4%
1980–1989	10.2%
1970–1979	18.4%
1960–1969	12.7%
1950–1959	12.0%
1940–1949	9.3%
1939 or earlier	6.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.1%
1 bedroom	5.0%
2 bedrooms	32.4%
3 bedrooms	49.9%
4 bedrooms	9.0%
5+ bedrooms	1.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.5%
1 vehicle	37.4%
2 vehicles	34.7%
3 or more	22.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.4%
Electricity	40.3%
Propane / LP gas	51.4%
Fuel oil	2.6%
Wood	2.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	318	45.2%
Cohabiting couple	19	2.7%
Male householder, no spouse	95	13.5%
Female householder, no spouse	271	38.5%
Households with children under 18	184	26.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	344	48.9%
Average household size	2.42

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.0%	22.7%
Married	47.2%	39.2%
Separated	1.4%	0.3%
Widowed	5.7%	21.8%
Divorced	13.6%	16.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.0%

Some HS, no diploma 11.9%

HS graduate 45.2%

Some college, no degree 23.1%

Associate's degree 6.5%

Bachelor's degree 4.6%

Graduate / professional 3.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	83.1%
Bachelor's or higher	8.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	2	0.5%
Kindergarten	12	3.0%
Elementary school	155	38.6%
High school	137	34.1%
College / grad school	96	23.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.8%

Retail trade 20.8%

Manufacturing 14.4%

Agriculture & mining 9.0%

Construction 8.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.7%

Other services 5.7%

Public administration 2.8%

Wholesale trade 1.7%

Information 1.5%

Finance & real estate 1.5%

Professional & management 1.3%

Transportation & utilities 1.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	28.5%
Service	10.2%
Sales & office	18.3%
Natural resources & construction	15.1%
Production & transportation	28.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.6%
Government	14.9%
Self-employed	7.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	83.5%
Carpool	12.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.5%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	31.7

Poverty

All people 14.9%

Under 18 years 9.0%

18 and over 16.3%

Married-couple families 2.2%

Female-led households 21.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	54.1%
Retirement income	41.0%
Supplemental Security	10.8%
Cash public assistance	1.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	48.8%
High cholesterol	42.1%
Heart disease	11.1%
Stroke	5.2%
Asthma	11.8%
Arthritis	39.6%
Kidney disease	4.4%
Pulmonary disease	15.0%
Cancer	8.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	12.8%
No physical activity	37.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.2%
Fair or poor health	27.2%
Poor mental health	18.0%
Poor physical health	18.0%
No health insurance	11.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.5%
Visited dentist	49.2%
Cholesterol screening	90.5%
Teeth loss	24.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	55	3.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	32.3%
Under 18	10.7%
18–64 years	27.1%
65 and over	58.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	61.9%
Public insurance	52.2%
Uninsured under 19	1.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,709	96.9%
Spanish	6	0.4%
Other Indo-European	6	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,761	99.8%
Born in same state	1,761	99.8%
Born in different state	1,323	75.0%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	3	0.2%
Not a US citizen	3	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	250	14.2%
French	237	13.4%
Italian	112	6.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	8	0.5%
English	6	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.9%
Internet access	83.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Salem, KY have?

Salem, KY has one ZIP code: 42078. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.