Salem
New Jersey

What stands out

Three things set Salem County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is among the highest in America (3.19%), home internet speed is in the top 2% of American counties (313 Mbps), and the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 11% of American counties (0.4 per 1,000). Within New Jersey it ranks 2nd of 21 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Salem County, New Jersey. 64,840 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +229).

New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation, averaging more than $9,000 a year per home, and a graduated income tax reaching 10.75% above $1 million. It repealed its estate tax in 2018 but kept an inheritance tax on non-family heirs. Social Security is not taxed, and retirement income up to $100,000 is excluded for many couples. The whole state is within commuting range of New York or Philadelphia.

Money

The typical household here brings in $73,378 a year, higher than 80% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $67,562. Unemployment runs 4.6%, higher than 83% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

New Jersey takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,562 a year.

Home

The median home costs $298K, pricier than 69% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,148 a month. Property tax is 3.19% of home value, roughly $6,638 a year on that median home, higher than almost every county in America. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 59% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 32 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 73.5 years, shorter than 76% of American counties. There are 46 active physicians in the county, about 7.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 7.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.07 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 58% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 16 points. 70% of eligible voters turned out. Under New Jersey law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 56°F, highs near 65 and lows near 46, colder than 51% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 80 out of 100, riskier than 80% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 313 Mbps down, faster than 98% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.