Salem, Missouri

For the community in Lewis County, see Salem, Lewis County, Missouri.

Salem, Missouri
City
City of Salem
Location of Salem, Missouri
Coordinates: 37°38′24″N91°32′05″W / 37.64000°N 91.53472°W / 37.64000; -91.53472
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Dent
Township	Spring Creek East, Spring Creek West
Government
• Type	Mayor–council government
• Mayor	Greg Parker [1]
Area [2]
• Total	3.48 sq mi (9.01 km2)
• Land	3.48 sq mi (9.01 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [3]	1,168 ft (356 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,608
• Density	1,324.52/sq mi (511.41/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	65560
Area code	573
FIPS code	29-65234 [4]
GNIS feature ID	2396528 [3]
Website	www.salemmo.com

Salem is the county seat of Dent County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,608 at the 2020 census, ^[5] which allows Salem to become a Class 3 city in Missouri; however, the city has chosen to remain a Class 4 city under Missouri Revised Statutes. ^{[6] [7] [8]} Salem is located a few miles^{[ quantify ]} north of the Ozark Scenic Riverways and close to Montauk State Park, which contains the headwaters of the Current River.

The name Salem is derived from the Hebrew word Shalom , meaning "peace". ^[9]

History

Dent County Museum (former home of W. P. Elmer)

Bonebrake Center of Nature and History

Dent County was first explored by Dustin Counts and settled between 1818 and 1829. In 1851, the Missouri Assembly created Dent County from portions of Crawford Shannon and Texas counties. It was named for early settler Lewis Dent, who served as the first representative. A log courthouse, built c. 1851–1852, was Dent County's first and was located on the Wingfield farm northeast of Salem. W. P. Williams became the first mayor of Salem in 1860, just after the Missouri State Legislature passed laws regarding the administration of village government. ^[10] During the American Civil War, units of the 5th Missouri State Militia would sometimes garrison in Salem. ^[11] Village governments were suspended during the Civil War. ^[12] In 1881, Salem was incorporated as a town. ^[13] The town's museums include the Dent County Museum, the Ozark Natural & Cultural Resource Center, the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History, and a historic Downtown Walking Tour. ^{[14] [15]}

The Dam and Spillway in the Hatchery Area at Montauk State Park, Dent County Courthouse, Lower Parker School, Montauk State Park Open Shelter, Nova Scotia Ironworks Historic District, Old Mill at Montauk State Park, and W.A. Young House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ^[16]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.18 square miles (8.24 km²), all land.

Climate

Salem has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa). It has cool winters and warm summers with consistent rainfall year-round.

Climate data for Salem, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1903–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	84 (29)	85 (29)	92 (33)	93 (34)	97 (36)	112 (44)	111 (44)	112 (44)	106 (41)	93 (34)	86 (30)	79 (26)	112 (44)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	42.6 (5.9)	47.9 (8.8)	57.3 (14.1)	68.0 (20.0)	75.5 (24.2)	83.2 (28.4)	87.6 (30.9)	86.8 (30.4)	79.5 (26.4)	68.8 (20.4)	55.7 (13.2)	45.2 (7.3)	66.5 (19.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)	32.2 (0.1)	36.7 (2.6)	45.8 (7.7)	56.1 (13.4)	64.3 (17.9)	72.0 (22.2)	76.3 (24.6)	75.1 (23.9)	67.5 (19.7)	56.8 (13.8)	45.2 (7.3)	35.6 (2.0)	55.3 (12.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	21.8 (−5.7)	25.6 (−3.6)	34.2 (1.2)	44.2 (6.8)	53.1 (11.7)	60.9 (16.1)	64.9 (18.3)	63.4 (17.4)	55.5 (13.1)	44.9 (7.2)	34.7 (1.5)	26.0 (−3.3)	44.1 (6.7)
Record low °F (°C)	−28 (−33)	−23 (−31)	−8 (−22)	13 (−11)	29 (−2)	30 (−1)	44 (7)	39 (4)	27 (−3)	16 (−9)	−2 (−19)	−21 (−29)	−28 (−33)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	2.69 (68)	2.81 (71)	4.04 (103)	4.98 (126)	5.63 (143)	4.22 (107)	3.68 (93)	4.33 (110)	4.03 (102)	3.71 (94)	3.93 (100)	2.95 (75)	47.00 (1,194)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	0.2 (0.51)	0.4 (1.0)	0.5 (1.3)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.1 (0.25)	0.1 (0.25)	1.3 (3.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	8.7	9.0	10.4	10.6	12.0	9.5	9.0	8.2	7.0	8.3	9.3	9.0	111.0
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	0.2	0.2	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.1	0.7
Source: NOAA [17] [18]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	280		—
1880	1,624		480.0%
1890	1,815		11.8%
1900	1,481		−18.4%
1910	1,796		21.3%
1920	1,771		−1.4%
1930	2,250		27.0%
1940	3,151		40.0%
1950	3,611		14.6%
1960	3,870		7.2%
1970	4,363		12.7%
1980	4,454		2.1%
1990	4,486		0.7%
2000	4,854		8.2%
2010	4,950		2.0%
2020	4,608		−6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [19]

2010 census

The Lower Parker School House which has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Dent County Courthouse has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Missouri.

Old Mill at Montauk State Park has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

As of the census ^[20] of 2010, there were 4,950 people, 2,152 households, and 1,248 families living in the city. The population density was 1,556.6 inhabitants per square mile (601.0/km²). There were 2,408 housing units at an average density of 757.2 per square mile (292.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.94% White, 0.53% Black or African American, 1.13% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.08% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17% of the population.

There were 2,152 households, of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.0% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 39.5 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 20.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.5% male and 53.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[4] of 2000, there were 4,854 people, 2,115 households, and 1,269 families living in the city. The population density was 1,607.4 inhabitants per square mile (620.6/km²). There were 2,368 housing units at an average density of 784.2 per square mile (302.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.05% White, 0.74% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.82% of the population.

There were 2,115 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 23.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,648, and the median income for a family was $29,460. Males had a median income of $27,006 versus $17,285 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,766. About 12.9% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.8% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Salem High School is the only high school located within the city. Salem is also home to an extension of Southwest Baptist University.

Salem has a lending library, the Salem Public Library. ^[21]

Notable people

• James Yancy Callahan, delegate to the United States House of Representatives representing the Oklahoma Territory (1887-1899)
• Ben Cantwell, MLB baseball player
• Orien Crow, NFL football player
• William P. Elmer, U.S. Representative from Missouri's 8th congressional district (1943-1945)
• Ralph K. Hofer, World War II Royal Canadian and (later) American fighter pilot, killed in action and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
• Elmer Jacobs, MLB baseball player
• Doug Dillard and Mitchell F. Jayne of The Dillards, bluegrass musicians
• Paulette Jiles, novelist and poet
• Jason T. Smith, U.S. Representative from Missouri's 8th congressional district (2013- )

See also

National Register of Historic Places listings in Dent County, Missouri

References

1. "ELECTION APRIL 22: New mayor, Parker wants to make a difference". The Salem News Online. April 5, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
2. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Salem, Missouri
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
6. Missouri Revised Statutes. "Chapter 77 Third Class Cities". Government regulation publication. Missouri General Assembly. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
7. Missouri Revised Statutes. "Chapter 79 Fourth Class Cities". State Government Legislation. Missouri General Assembly. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
8. "About Salem, Missouri--Local Government". Government advertising site. Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
9. Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 165.
10. "Salem's Historical Walking Tour" (PDF). Pamphlet, online. City of Salem. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
11. Hewett, J. (1994). Supplement to the Official records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Pub. Co., Volume 35, p. 136
12. "Salem's Historic Walking Tour" (PDF). Pamphlet available on the Internet. City of Salem. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
13. "Historic Downtown Walking Tour of Salem" (PDF). Pamphlet available online. City of Salem. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
14. "Our Community". Salem Missouri Website. City of Salem. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
15. Pozen, Lauren (May 16, 2013). "KSPR33". KSPR33-Shurz Communications. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
16. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
17. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
18. "Station: Salem, MO". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
19. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
20. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
21. "Missouri Public Libraries". PublicLibraries.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2019.

External links

37°38′29″N91°32′20″W / 37.64139°N 91.53889°W / 37.64139; -91.53889

• Salem, Missouri Chamber of Commerce website
• Historic maps of Salem in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri