Salem city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 47.0 | 25,600 people · 81st most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Salem city, VA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 47.0 — 1780th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Virginia, it ranks 81st of 133 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 2 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Salem city's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 77.3 — worse than roughly 77% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 77.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 82
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 66
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 87
Homeownership Rate 88
Legal Distress 58.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 58
Economic Vitality 49.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 38
Rent-to-Income Ratio 71
Business Formation Rate 42
House Price Change (YoY) 57
Structural Poverty 37.6
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 55
Child Poverty Rate 24
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 55
Consumer Credit Distress 33.2
Debt in Collections 33
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 62
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 24
Subprime Credit Population 37

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Salem city
Salem city, VA 47.0 Normal —
Roanoke city, VA 68.3 Serious +21.3
Roanoke County, VA 34.6 Healthy -12.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Salem city
Bethel Census Area, AK 47.0 Normal +0.1
Madison County, OH 46.9 Normal -0.1
Manistee County, MI 46.9 Normal -0.1
Callaway County, MO 46.8 Normal -0.1
Finney County, KS 47.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Salem city as a CSV file.

Find Help in Salem city

Find an Attorney

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-552-7977

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Salem city residents at no cost.

Virginia Legal Aid Society 540-342-3900
Legal Aid Justice Center 434-977-0553
Legal Services of Northern Virginia 703-778-6800
Virginia Poverty Law Center 804-782-9430
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society 804-648-1012
Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (866) 534-5243
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (757) 827-5078
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc. (888) 201-2772

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Salem city, Virginia?

    Salem city has a County Distress Index score of 47.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,780th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 81st in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Salem city?

    The primary driver of distress in Salem city is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 77.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Salem city compare to neighboring counties?

    Salem city (47.0) can be compared to its 2 neighboring counties: Roanoke city, VA (68.3); Roanoke County, VA (34.6).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Normal zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Salem city's score of 47.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Salem city's CDI score?

    Salem city's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Salem city?

    Salem city, Virginia has a population of approximately 25,600 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.