$460,670Average Value$248Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
Rural, countryside lifestyle blends with an active community
A rich agricultural heritage and surrounding waves of open fields, wetlands and rolling hills make it clear to see why residents of Salem are drawn to the town’s bucolic setting in eastern Connecticut. However, the town’s active community and robust calendar of events maintain its close-knit feel. “Salem is a sweet, small town with a rural feel,” says Veronique Chechile, a librarian at the Salem Free Public Library who moved to Salem 5 years ago with her family. “We love the community. There are a lot of wonderful, dedicated people who love the town.” Paired with top-rated schools, a handful of well-loved local eateries and rustic homes that add to the town’s idyllic charm, Salem offers a countryside lifestyle just 12 miles from Norwich.
Salem is surrounded by lush green rolling hills.
Stop into Meagog Market for the freshest produce in Salem.
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Visit the Salem Free Public Library for local events and the latest releases.
Events for all ages at the library and Salem’s Apple Festival
The close-knit community bands together during the town’s wide range of events, including the Salem Memorial Day Parade and Salem Road Race 5K. The Salem Free Public Library serves the community through an array of events. “The library puts on a lot of events that are typical for a library,” Chechile says. “For the size library we are, we offer a ton of programs and learning opportunities.” She notes that the annual garden party and seed library is an especially popular event, as well as the annual Used Book Sale, which both attract swaths of local and regional readers. The library also hosts an array of year-round classes, workshops and programs for all ages. “The kids programs fill up quickly and are very popular and well-attended,” Chechile adds.
When the leaves change color in the fall, Salem prepares for its most popular event of the year. “One of the biggest events is the Apple Fest, which is like Salem’s official fall festival,” Chechile says. “People come out and are waiting in line for it to open at the beginning of the day.” Taking place annually at the end of October, the fest consists of apple-themed treats, local vendors, arts and crafts, and live music.
Outdoor recreation amidst Connecticut’s forests and ponds
A spiderweb of creeks flows through Salem, and a handful of ponds create craters in the village’s landscape, offering an abundance of outdoor recreation amidst the natural Connecticut terrain. Chechile says the town brims with hiking trails, including the 1-mile Salem Multipurpose Trail that runs through downtown. Located along Salem’s east side, Gardner Lake features nature trails and hiking paths around the scenic waterside, and it also appeals to recreational boaters and anglers eager to catch bass and catfish. Campers enjoy the many campgrounds strewn across the town, including Witch Meadow Lake Campground and Salem Farms Campground. Devil’s Hopyard State Park spans 860 acres west of Salem, with hiking trails that snake through forests and lead to the 60-foot-high Chapman Falls. In town, Round Hill Park provides athletic fields, baseball diamonds and paved courts for basketball and tennis. Chechile says residents also take advantage of the school’s amenities. “We have two really beautiful playgrounds and a great track at the school that people are allowed to use when school is not in session,” she says. “My kids love to go to the playground, and residents run the track often.”
Visit Gardner Lake for a delightful outing.
Kids can enjoy the playground at Round Hill Park in Salem while parents enjoy the shade.
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Rustic architectural styles add to Salem’s rural charm
Set among the town’s wooded hills and farmland, single-family homes perch on larger properties with ample space between neighbors, adding to Salem’s rural feel. Transitional colonial styles are most common, varying in size and peppered between classic ranch-style homes and smaller split-levels. Country Cape Cods also make up a large part of the housing inventory here, many featuring Dutch Colonial influences such as gambrel roofing and dormer windows. Prices for single-family homes typically range between $150,000 and $800,000, though outliers include waterfront estates along Gardner Lake that fetch up to $6 million.
Classic Colonials can be found tucked into the woods all round salem.
A variety of home styles can be found along Gardner Lake in Salem.
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A-rated schools in New London County
Salem Elementary School serves just under 400 students in kindergarten through eighth grades and boasts an A from Niche. Ranked as the No. 1 best public middle school in New London County, the school also has high marks in Teachers and Academics. After graduating, students can matriculate to East Lyme High School. The A-rated high school offers a range of courses and electives, from STEM to Humanities.
Salem Elementary receives an overall score of A from niche.
Welcome to East Lyme High School located in East Lyme, CT.
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Local stores, antique shops and Salem’s collection of eateries
A cluster of locales in the town’s center offers conveniences close to home. Two antique stores - 2 Sisters Trading Post and Another Man’s Treasure - stock their shelves with unique finds. Dollar General and Henny Penny Convenience Store fulfill everyday necessities, but Chechile says residents usually head to Colchester or Norwich for groceries and other needs, depending on where in town they live.
Italian classics like pasta dishes and stuffed calzones are on the menu at The Plum Tomato, while Two Brothers Pizza serves traditional pizza pies and stacked subs. Salem Prime Cuts is a butcher shop with a deli counter that Chechile says is popular among residents. Folks can start their day with a cup of coffee from Wicked Southern Coffee and enjoy happy hour at Fox Farm Brewery after a long workday. For a sweet treat, locals head to Salem Valley Farms Ice Cream. The seasonally open shop has been a longstanding mainstay since 1988, serving homemade ice cream in a rainbow of unique flavors from their classic red barn location off Haddam Road.
Pick through the amazing antiques at 2 Sisters Trading Post in Salem.
Visit Fox Farm Brewery for amazing local craft brews in Salem.
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At the crossroads of Routes 82 and 85
State Routes 85 and 82 cross through Salem and link to Route 11. Norwich is a 12-mile drive via Route 82, and Colchester is a 7-mile drive north via Route 85. The town is equidistant from both Route 2 and Interstate 395. For further travel, Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is 61 miles from Salem.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kristopher Tramont,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Minnie Island State Park
Salem Community Park
Gardner Lake State Park
Gardner Lake Park
Devil's Hopyard State Park
Camping
Fishing
Picnic Area
SplashPad
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Salem
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Salem, CT sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Salem, CT over the last 12 months is $439,178, up 1% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Wonderful young home available immediately, on a private road in Salem. Everything on this home is 11 years old - septic, well, roof, and mechanicals. The backyard has a fenced-in garden area with a water line for easy watering. PLENTY of room for a pool or horses/farm animals. This home also features a spacious 2-car garage with a walk-up unfinished room above - roughed in for heat and about 400
Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a direct waterfront lot at the highly desirable Indianfield Campground in Salem, CT. This listing features a spacious and comfortable 2001 Breckenridge Park Model, thoughtfully designed to make the most of seasonal living. Whether you're hosting guests or enjoying a quiet retreat, the interior offers plenty of room to relax and unwind. A large shed is also
Discover your perfect lakeside retreat with this charming seasonal cottage -quaint haven that invites you to relax and savor the beauty of summer. This adorable, compact home is ideally situated for anyone eager to spend sun-drenched days on the lake and then return to your cottage to enjoy peaceful evenings under the stars. Perfectly situated just a short walk from the water, this adorable
Enjoy easy, maintenance-free living in this thoughtfully designed 1-bedroom ranch with a flexible den-perfect for a home office or guest space. Situated in a peaceful 55+ community with a clubhouse, this home features a modern kitchen with beautiful cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and a dishwasher. Additional highlights include hardwood flooring throughout, an oversized bathroom with great
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kristopher Tramont,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,295
Median Age
44
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
22.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$115,215
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$132,668
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.5%
College Graduates
55.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.8%
% Population in Labor Force
77.4%
Above the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
19/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.