Salem ZIP Codes — Salem County, NJ

There is one unique ZIP code in Salem, New Jersey and it is 08079. Area code: 856/609.

ZIP codes

88.68

sq mi land

8.97

sq mi water

856/609

area code

Salem, NJ ZIP code map

About Salem, NJ

Salem, New Jersey, is a city located in Salem County, known for its rich history and charming small-town atmosphere. With a single ZIP code, 08079, it offers a tight-knit community feeling. The city is steeped in tradition and surrounded by natural beauty, making it a unique place to visit or reside.

Location & geography

Situated in the southwestern part of New Jersey, Salem is bordered by the Delaware River to the west. Nearby cities include Pennsville to the northeast at approximately 8 miles, Elmer to the northwest about 12 miles away, and Woodstown to the south, roughly 9 miles from downtown Salem. The city spans a total land area of 88.68 square miles, with 8.97 square miles designated as water.

Community & economy

The character of Salem is reflective of its historic roots, with numerous colonial-era buildings still standing. The local economy thrives on agriculture, manufacturing, and retail, providing residents with various employment opportunities. Daily life in Salem is marked by community events, local festivals, and a strong sense of neighborliness that fosters a welcoming environment.

Transportation

Major highways in the vicinity include Route 49, which connects Salem to other towns and facilitates easy commuting. The nearest airport for commercial flights is Philadelphia International Airport, located approximately 30 miles to the northwest. Local transit options are limited, mostly relying on personal vehicles for travel.

History

Salem was established in the early 17th century, making it one of the oldest towns in New Jersey. Historically, the city was a center for agriculture and shipbuilding, leveraging its location along the Delaware River. Notable events in Salem's history include its involvement in the abolitionist movement and its role in various regional agricultural fairs.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Salem, NJ, is that it is home to the oldest courthouse in continuous use in the United States. This courthouse, built in 1735, stands as a significant landmark and symbolizes the city's long-standing commitment to justice and community governance.

ZIP codes for Salem, NJ (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
08079	Salem	Salem	View map

Demographics & statistics

10,426

Population

40.0

Median age

$50,975

Median household income

$32,400

Per capita income

$169,100

Median home value

$1,033

Median monthly rent

57.1%

Home ownership

19.0%

Poverty rate

6.9%

Unemployment

3,321

Housing units

17.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

365

Under 5

425

355

5–9

414

303

10–14

353

150

15–19

175

298

20–24

347

635

25–34

742

533

35–44

622

490

45–54

572

336

55–59

392

402

60–64

468

528

65–74

616

267

75–84

311

151

85+

176

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,503	24.0%
18 and over	7,923	76.0%
65 and over	2,049	19.7%
Median age	40.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 60.1%

Black or African American 33.8%

Two or more races 2.5%

Hispanic or Latino 1.7%

Asian 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%

Other race 0.6%

Group	Count	%
White	6,374	60.1%
Black or African American	3,587	33.8%
Two or more races	266	2.5%
Hispanic or Latino	184	1.7%
Asian	68	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	68	0.6%
Other race	63	0.6%

Household income

Under $10k 4.5%

$10k–$15k 12.3%

$15k–$25k 8.0%

$25k–$35k 9.7%

$35k–$50k 14.9%

$50k–$75k 13.3%

$75k–$100k 10.4%

$100k–$150k 13.4%

$150k–$200k 7.4%

$200k+ 6.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.5%
$10k–$15k	12.3%
$15k–$25k	8.0%
$25k–$35k	9.7%
$35k–$50k	14.9%
$50k–$75k	13.3%
$75k–$100k	10.4%
$100k–$150k	13.4%
$150k–$200k	7.4%
$200k+	6.0%
Median income	$50,975

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.5%

$50k–$100k 16.7%

$100k–$150k 11.2%

$150k–$200k 19.1%

$200k–$300k 21.6%

$300k–$500k 16.1%

$500k–$1M 2.5%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$169,100
Median rent / month	$1,033
Owner occupied	57.1%
Renter occupied	42.9%
Vacant	18.4%
Single-family detached	59.9%
Large apartment buildings	1.9%
Mobile homes	1.9%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.40

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	3.2%
2000–2009	4.3%
1990–1999	6.3%
1980–1989	6.7%
1970–1979	8.6%
1960–1969	10.5%
1950–1959	13.6%
1940–1949	13.9%
1939 or earlier	32.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.9%
1 bedroom	10.0%
2 bedrooms	31.4%
3 bedrooms	42.4%
4 bedrooms	10.2%
5+ bedrooms	4.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	17.6%
1 vehicle	31.1%
2 vehicles	30.6%
3 or more	20.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	28.5%
Electricity	19.1%
Propane / LP gas	7.9%
Fuel oil	40.3%
Wood	3.1%
Solar	0.5%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,521	36.5%
Cohabiting couple	263	6.3%
Male householder, no spouse	740	17.8%
Female householder, no spouse	1,644	39.4%
Households with children under 18	1,175	28.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,579	37.9%
Average household size	2.46

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	35.4%	37.8%
Married	44.4%	35.3%
Separated	1.3%	2.4%
Widowed	6.0%	14.8%
Divorced	12.9%	9.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.6%

Some HS, no diploma 8.6%

HS graduate 42.1%

Some college, no degree 18.9%

Associate's degree 8.2%

Bachelor's degree 11.6%

Graduate / professional 6.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	86.8%
Bachelor's or higher	17.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	191	8.4%
Kindergarten	98	4.3%
Elementary school	1,256	55.3%
High school	354	15.6%
College / grad school	372	16.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.8%

Professional & management 11.0%

Transportation & utilities 10.3%

Retail trade 9.6%

Manufacturing 9.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.3%

Finance & real estate 5.7%

Public administration 5.6%

Construction 4.5%

Wholesale trade 4.2%

Other services 3.9%

Agriculture & mining 2.4%

Information 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.4%
Service	20.2%
Sales & office	19.2%
Natural resources & construction	9.0%
Production & transportation	21.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.0%
Government	16.4%
Self-employed	4.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.2%
Carpool	8.3%
Public transit	2.6%
Walk	2.3%
Other means	1.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	28.1

Poverty

All people 19.0%

Under 18 years 27.2%

18 and over 16.5%

Married-couple families 4.5%

Female-led households 20.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.2%
Retirement income	29.7%
Supplemental Security	10.5%
Cash public assistance	0.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	20.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	0.0%
High cholesterol	0.0%
Heart disease	7.9%
Stroke	4.5%
Asthma	11.5%
Arthritis	27.2%
Kidney disease	3.8%
Pulmonary disease	8.9%
Cancer	6.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.5%
No physical activity	30.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	40.2%
Fair or poor health	19.5%
Poor mental health	16.6%
Poor physical health	12.8%
No health insurance	16.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.5%
Visited dentist	56.2%
Cholesterol screening	0.0%
Teeth loss	19.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	512	6.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.0%
Under 18	9.5%
18–64 years	17.2%
65 and over	41.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	59.1%
Public insurance	51.5%
Uninsured under 19	0.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	9,636	92.4%
Spanish	376	3.9%
Other Indo-European	355	3.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	2	0.0%
Other languages	19	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	10,253	98.3%
Born in same state	10,015	96.1%
Born in different state	7,755	74.4%
Foreign born	238	2.3%
Naturalized citizen	173	1.7%
Not a US citizen	86	49.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	1,297	12.4%
French	1,036	9.9%
Arab	352	3.4%
English	165	1.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	46	0.4%
German	28	0.3%
Irish	11	0.1%
Dutch	3	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.0%
Internet access	86.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Salem, NJ have?

Salem, NJ has one ZIP code: 08079. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.