Salem city
VA · Pop. 25,477 · Urban County
Salem city is an urban county in Virginia, spanning 15 square miles with 25,477 residents at a density of 1698.5 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. A median home price of $245,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.91% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F and average winter lows of 29.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Lewisgale Medical Center is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 202-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.91% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Lewisgale Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- At 1698.5 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Salem city, VA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 80/100
- Median home price
- $245k
- Property tax
- 0.91%
- Growing season
- 202 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.3"
- Broadband
- 99.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Lewisgale Medical Center, 2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Salem city: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Salem city?
- Salem city is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 202-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.4°F, and average winter lows of 29.1°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $245,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.91%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lewisgale Medical Center is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Virginia
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The closest counties to Salem city by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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