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Salem

Salem

Located in Salem City County

$318,335 Average Value
$212 Average Price per Sq Ft
13 Homes 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.
Churches are situated along residential streets in Salem.
The Roanoke County Courthouse is located in the heart of 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.
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.
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.
Roanoke College is a private liberal arts college located in Salem, Virginia.
Salem High School is known for it's excellence in sports.
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.
Stately Victorian homes are sprinkled throughout Salem.
Colonial Revival homes are a popular option for Salem residents.
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.
The Salem farmer's market takes place downtown every Saturday morning.
Friends enjoy a stroll through the mall just outside the Hollins neighborhood.
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.

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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Stephanie Varney, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Salem Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$441,500
Median Sale Price
$432,726
Median Single Family Sale Price
$464,950
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$277,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
80
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$212

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
8,107
Number of Homes for Sale
13
Median Year Built
1969
Months of Supply
2.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,746
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,503
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,148
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
13,503

Open Houses

  • 5319 McVitty Rd, Roanoke, VA 24018

    $935,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 5 Baths
    • 4,010 Sq Ft
    • 5319 McVitty Rd
    • New 7 days ago

    This one of a kind 4BR, 3.2BA contemporary backing up to Hidden Valley Golf Course is a must-see! Enjoy true one-level living with an entry-level primary suite featuring a spa-like bath, main-floor laundry, and an attached 4-bay garage. Designed for energy efficiency with solar panels, EV charger, and high-quality updated systems. Practically walking distance to Lewis Gale Medical Center, yet

    Agent Photo
    Stephanie Varney
    DIVINE FOG REALTY COMPANY LLC- ROANOKE
    (540) 592-4369
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  • 1725 Morwanda St, Salem, VA 24153

    $585,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 2,248 Sq Ft
    • 1725 Morwanda St
    • New 2 days ago

    This is a Unique, Custom Designed and Custom Built ''One of a Kind'' home !This home has Significant upgrades, such as: an adjoining Unimproved lot of similar size for more privacy, Gives this home a Park like feel. The exterior is primarily Brick to grade with some Drivit-Type Accents and Quoin Masonry. The Rear of the house has a 12'x12' deck accessed off the kitchen, and a 5'x 8' private

    Denise E Basham QUALITY REALTY

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  • 5258 Arrowhead Trail, Salem, VA 24153

    $374,950

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,659 Sq Ft
    • 5258 Arrowhead Trail
    • New 3 days ago

    Cherokee Hills is in the desirable Glenvar school district and is conveniently located to Lewis Gale Hospital, Historic Downtown Salem VA, and Roanoke College. And Virginia Tech is less than 30 miles west!This home includes 9ft ceilings and luxury plank flooring throughout the main living area, upgraded white cabinets with brushed nickel hardware and quartz countertops in the kitchen, and solid

    Robert Fralin R FRALIN & ASSOCIATES INC

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Salem Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
25,696
Median Age
42
Population under 18
22.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$70,975
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$92,436

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
93.2%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
33.4%
Advanced Degrees
14.4%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
29°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
1''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

46 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®®

55 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

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.
Salem
Stephanie Varney
DIVINE FOG REALTY COMPANY LLC- ROANOKE
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