Salem ZIP Codes — Harrison County, WV

There is one unique ZIP code in Salem, West Virginia and it is 26426. Area code: 304/681.

ZIP codes

136.39

sq mi land

0.18

sq mi water

304/681

area code

Salem, WV ZIP code map

About Salem, WV

Salem is a charming city located in West Virginia, specifically within Harrison County. Known for its small-town atmosphere, Salem offers a blend of natural beauty and community spirit. The city serves as a peaceful retreat while being conveniently connected to larger urban areas.

Location & geography

Salem is situated in north-central West Virginia, approximately 13 miles northeast of Clarksburg and about 15 miles northwest of Bridgeport. The city covers a total land area of 136.39 square miles, with a minor water area of 0.18 square miles. The terrain maintains a rural feel, characterized by rolling hills and scenic landscapes.

Community & economy

The community of Salem is marked by its friendly residents and vibrant local businesses that support the economy. Various industries, including manufacturing and agriculture, play a significant role in daily life, enhancing the local economy. Residents enjoy an active lifestyle, with numerous outdoor activities available in the surrounding natural spaces.

Transportation

Salem is accessible via several key highways, including U.S. Route 50 and West Virginia Route 23, providing convenient travel options for commuters and visitors alike. The nearest major airport is North Central West Virginia Airport, located about 20 miles south in Bridgeport. Local public transportation options are limited, encouraging residents to utilize personal vehicles.

History

Salem was founded in the early 1800s, establishing itself as a significant settlement in Harrison County. Historically, the city has been important for its agriculture and manufacturing industries, which have shaped its economic landscape. Over the years, Salem has experienced notable events that have contributed to its growth and community identity.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Salem, WV is its historical connection to the educational sector, as it is home to Salem University, which has been providing higher education since the 1880s. Additionally, the town is known for its involvement in local festivals that showcase the cultural heritage of the region.

ZIP codes for Salem, WV (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
26426	Salem	Harrison	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,698

Population

47.1

Median age

$51,052

Median household income

$25,198

Per capita income

$113,600

Median home value

$675

Median monthly rent

86.2%

Home ownership

14.5%

Poverty rate

3.0%

Unemployment

2,730

Housing units

17.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

165

Under 5

124

182

5–9

136

203

10–14

152

335

15–19

251

232

20–24

174

517

25–34

388

457

35–44

342

591

45–54

443

433

55–59

325

383

60–64

288

466

65–74

349

275

75–84

206

161

85+

120

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,253	16.3%
18 and over	6,445	83.7%
65 and over	1,577	20.5%
Median age	47.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96.5%

Two or more races 1%

Black or African American 0.9%

Asian 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%

Hispanic or Latino 0.1%

Other race 0.1%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	7,438	96.5%
Two or more races	79	1%
Black or African American	70	0.9%
Asian	49	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	46	0.6%
Hispanic or Latino	10	0.1%
Other race	10	0.1%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	6	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 5.7%

$10k–$15k 6.6%

$15k–$25k 14.8%

$25k–$35k 10.9%

$35k–$50k 10.2%

$50k–$75k 18.9%

$75k–$100k 9.6%

$100k–$150k 11.6%

$150k–$200k 6.9%

$200k+ 4.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.7%
$10k–$15k	6.6%
$15k–$25k	14.8%
$25k–$35k	10.9%
$35k–$50k	10.2%
$50k–$75k	18.9%
$75k–$100k	9.6%
$100k–$150k	11.6%
$150k–$200k	6.9%
$200k+	4.6%
Median income	$51,052

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 16.9%

$50k–$100k 25.8%

$100k–$150k 22.9%

$150k–$200k 11.6%

$200k–$300k 15.5%

$300k–$500k 6.4%

$500k–$1M 0.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$113,600
Median rent / month	$675
Owner occupied	86.2%
Renter occupied	13.8%
Vacant	19.2%
Single-family detached	80.0%
Large apartment buildings	2.0%
Mobile homes	13.8%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.79

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	5.9%
2000–2009	6.3%
1990–1999	13.5%
1980–1989	12.4%
1970–1979	15.1%
1960–1969	6.1%
1950–1959	8.9%
1940–1949	6.8%
1939 or earlier	25.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.7%
1 bedroom	5.8%
2 bedrooms	27.2%
3 bedrooms	50.8%
4 bedrooms	10.4%
5+ bedrooms	2.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.5%
1 vehicle	39.5%
2 vehicles	32.9%
3 or more	24.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	75.6%
Electricity	18.0%
Propane / LP gas	4.3%
Wood	1.0%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,307	52.6%
Cohabiting couple	107	4.3%
Male householder, no spouse	489	19.7%
Female householder, no spouse	582	23.4%
Households with children under 18	562	22.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,059	42.6%
Average household size	2.79

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	40.3%	19.7%
Married	38.9%	51.2%
Separated	1.0%	0.6%
Widowed	6.3%	9.3%
Divorced	13.6%	19.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.4%

Some HS, no diploma 10.8%

HS graduate 40.5%

Some college, no degree 17.7%

Associate's degree 8.3%

Bachelor's degree 10.2%

Graduate / professional 7.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	83.8%
Bachelor's or higher	17.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	105	7.8%
Kindergarten	22	1.6%
Elementary school	488	36.5%
High school	288	21.5%
College / grad school	435	32.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 29.8%

Retail trade 13.3%

Transportation & utilities 10.2%

Public administration 8.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.7%

Construction 7.2%

Manufacturing 6.4%

Agriculture & mining 5.4%

Professional & management 4.5%

Finance & real estate 3.2%

Other services 2.8%

Wholesale trade 1.1%

Information 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	29.7%
Service	22.5%
Sales & office	20.1%
Natural resources & construction	12.4%
Production & transportation	15.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.0%
Government	17.0%
Self-employed	2.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.5%
Carpool	5.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	5.7%
Other means	1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.6

Poverty

All people 14.5%

Under 18 years 16.5%

18 and over 14.1%

Married-couple families 11.0%

Female-led households 18.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	48.3%
Retirement income	28.0%
Supplemental Security	5.1%
Cash public assistance	1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	40.2%
High cholesterol	36.7%
Heart disease	8.6%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	11.5%
Arthritis	35.8%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	11.0%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	12.4%
No physical activity	28.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	39.4%
Fair or poor health	20.5%
Poor mental health	17.9%
Poor physical health	14.3%
No health insurance	11.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	81.8%
Visited dentist	60.4%
Cholesterol screening	89.7%
Teeth loss	20.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	405	6.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.9%
Under 18	7.3%
18–64 years	16.0%
65 and over	42.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	59.0%
Public insurance	46.2%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	7,409	96.2%
Spanish	4	0.1%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	4	0.1%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,598	98.7%
Born in same state	7,531	97.8%
Born in different state	5,427	70.5%
Foreign born	67	0.9%
Naturalized citizen	100	1.3%
Not a US citizen	50	50.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	1,102	14.3%
Arab	1,077	14%
French	701	9.1%
English	100	1.3%
Polish	46	0.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	28	0.4%
Dutch	9	0.1%
German	6	0.1%
Norwegian	6	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	32.3%
Internet access	87.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Salem, WV have?

Salem, WV has one ZIP code: 26426. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.