$323,649Average Value$181Average Price per Sq Ft53Homes For Sale
A quiet Blue Ridge lifestyle
In the heart of the Roanoke Valley, Salem, Virginia, is a town of 25,000 with scenic mountain views. It's the county seat of Roanoke County and hosts the area’s courthouse complex, Department of Social Services and sheriff's office. But despite these government buildings, a quaint downtown district and Roanoke College’s campus, Realtor Allison Ratcliffe with Embolden Realty Group, who has been selling homes in Salem for nearly a decade, says people are typically drawn to the area for its residential feel. “It’s basically the suburban life,” she says. “You still have the country feel, but you’re close to restaurants and shopping.”
Churches are situated along residential streets in Salem.
The Roanoke County Courthouse is located in the heart of Salem.
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Hiking Roanoke River Greenway, cheering for the Salem Red Sox
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Salem is near a wealth of outdoor activities. Just north of the city, numerous national forests and trail systems offer hiking, camping, hunting and fishing. The city experiences warm summers and snowfall in the winter. Ducks swim in the water at scenic Lake Springs Park, a popular spot for wedding and prom photos. Sections of the paved Roanoke River Greenway run through Salem. Walkers and bikers traverse paths that weave through the woods and contour the water. Nearby, Longwood Park is the largest park in the city, with a playground, picnic tables and an amphitheater that regularly hosts family-friendly movie nights and events. These include the Pickin’ in the Park festival, which celebrates the community’s love for bluegrass music. Attendees sit on picnic blankets and lawn chairs, listening to local artists pluck banjos and sing harmonies.
Golfers tee off at the Salem Municipal Golf Course and the Hidden Valley Country Club, while dogs run off-leash at the Salem Rotary Dog Park. Launching Pad Trampoline Park & Family Center is a go-to for birthday parties. In the spring, baseball fans cheer for the Salem Red Sox at Salem Memorial Ballpark, where the mountains backdrop the outfield. “There are die-hard fans everywhere,” Ratcliffe says. Post-game fireworks light up the stands on Fridays, and kids run the bases on Sundays. The baseball stadium is within the James E. Taliaferro Sports and Entertainment Complex. The facility also includes the Salem Football Stadium, home of the Salem High School Spartans, and the Salem Civic Center, which hosts various conventions and concerts.
The Salem Red Sox, a minor league baseball team, play at Salem Memorial Ballpark.
Longwood Park in Salem features a large playground for kids to enjoy.
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Locals and students enjoy Roanoke College's campus
Salem City Schools receive an A-minus grade from Niche. The district has four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Roanoke College, a private liberal arts school with about 2,000 undergraduates, is also in Salem. In addition to being a major employer, the campus, which is mainly built in Neoclassical and Greek Revival styles, is also trafficked by locals. “Residents utilize everything that is public as much as possible,” Ratcliffe says.
Roanoke College is a private liberal arts college located in Salem, Virginia.
Salem High School is known for it's excellence in sports.
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Homes with Blue Ridge Mountain views
Homes in Salem sit up and down the city’s hills. “Salem is beautiful,” Ratcliffe says. “People fight over lots that overlook the mountains perfectly; everything I’ve sold over there has an amazing view.” Students rent properties close to Roanoke College. Stately Victorians and Colonial Revivals line Broad Street near City Hall, and homes away from the city center often feature large yards on roads that sometimes end in cul-de-sacs. Salem’s a mix of older properties and new construction, and the median single-family home price is $305,000, lower than the national median of $406,100.
Stately Victorian homes are sprinkled throughout Salem.
Colonial Revival homes are a popular option for Salem residents.
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Boutiques and markets on Main Street, shopping plazas elsewhere
Antique stores, boutiques and restaurants inside brick buildings line Main Street in downtown Salem. Every Saturday year-round, vendors sell local produce and baked goods on the corner of Main and Broad streets during the Salem Farmers Market. Big-box retailers, grocery stores and fast-food chains sit in the Spartan Square shopping center on the city’s west side, and, to the east, Lakeside Plaza offers similar amenities. About 10 miles southeast, Downtown Roanoke’s Italianate-style structures host more shopping and dining options. The Valley View and Tanglewood malls are also in Roanoke. For medical services, the Salem Veteran Affairs Medical Center is on Roanoke Boulevard, while Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital’s main campus is about 13 miles away. The hospital system, which has clinics throughout Roanoke and Salem, is one of the area’s top employers.
The Salem farmer's market takes place downtown every Saturday morning.
Friends enjoy a stroll through the mall just outside the Hollins neighborhood.
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Roads and buses to nearby towns like Roanoke and Blacksburg
Interstate 81 borders the city to the north and leads toward Roanoke, Christiansburg and Blacksburg, where many residents commute to work at Virginia Tech. U.S. Route 11, a main arterial road, also runs through. Valley Metro provides bus service between Salem, Roanoke and other surrounding communities. For air travel, the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is about 9 miles away.
Crime
Crime statistics for Salem are not readily available.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
Photography Contributed By
Caleb Jones
Video By
Matthew Link
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jennifer Pardee,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Salem, VA sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Salem, VA over the last 12 months is $289,925, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Contract by 12/30/2025 and the buyer receives a Seller credit of $5,000 that could be applied to interest rate buydown, closing costs, or lender allowed costs. Call for details! Motivated Seller. Spacious one floor living, open floor plan with a finished lower level including another family room with Fireplace, walkout patio, additional bedroom ensuite and bonus/ recreation room. This 3 bedroom,
Don't miss this beautifully remodeled 2-bedroom home in the city of Salem, in the most convenient of locations. Lovely hardwood floors with designer touches throughout. Modern kitchen with new stainless appliances. Wonderful level backyard, fully fenced and featuring a storage shed with electricity, perfect for extra storage or a workshop space. Ideal for relaxing or entertaining. Schedule your
Premier Cash-Flow Duplex in Exclusive Orchard Court-100% Occupied, Seize this rare income-generating opportunity-the only one of its kind in this highly sought after single family neighborhood. This side-by-side duplex delivers immediate rental income with two long-term, month-to-month tenants already in place, offering maximum flexibility for rent increases or future owner-occupancy. Proven
3 bedroom and 1.5 bath house located on quiet cul-de-sac street in Salem. This house has been completely remodeled with a new kitchen, bathroom, and refinished hardwood floors. Fenced yard, rear covered patio and large storage shed. NO PETS ALLOWED.
TUCKED IN THE HEART OF SALEM; Valleydale emerges as a beacon of high-end living, providing an unparalleled multifamily experience in a market thirsting for innovation. In transforming the former Valleydale Meat Packers site, this inspired apartment community offers a unique approach to intentional living. With its proximity to bustling downtown, charming local shops, and essential medical and
This stunning 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath rental home is ready for you to move in immediately. As soon as you step inside, you'll notice the beautiful luxury vinyl floors that run throughout the entire house. One of the standout features of this home is the large laundry space, which is not only perfect for tackling your chores but also doubles as a pantry, providing ample storage for all your kitchen
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