RANK #351 / 1001 NAT · #6 / 21 NJ · POP 65,275
1YR FORECAST: +1.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
Salem County, New Jersey, distinguishes itself with its preserved rural character and Quaker heritage, evident in towns like Woodstown with its classic Main Street feel. Located in South Jersey, it serves as the westernmost county, bordered by the Delaware River and connected to Delaware via the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Philadelphia is approximately an hour away, making it a consideration for commuters. The community offers a quieter pace of life, with extensive farmlands and natural scenery, including six rivers and over 34,000 acres of marshland. Outdoor recreation opportunities include birding at Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and hiking at Fort Mott and Parvin State Parks.
Life in Salem County often appeals to those seeking affordability, open spaces, and a small-town environment. Many residents own their homes, and the county's public schools are generally above average. Commute times are shorter than the state average, and while some residents commute to nearby cities like Philadelphia, the county also attracts remote workers. The local economy is supported by sectors such as agriculture, with a long history of farming, and manufacturing, including glass companies. Recent economic developments also show investment in energy and infrastructure.
Salem County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.8% runs below the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
New Jersey Wind Port (Phase 1 & 2)
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)
|
$637M | Under Construction |
|
Orchard 230kV Battery Project
Undisclosed
|
$415M | Planned |
|
Nichomus Run Solar Project
Enel Green Power
|
$150M | In Development |
|
Carneys Point Logistics Park (707,400 sq ft)
EQT
|
$70M | Planned |
|
Fenwick Creek Solar Project
AES Corporation
|
$38M | Planned |
|
Salem & Hope Creek Nuclear Plant License Extensions
PSEG Nuclear LLC
|
— | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 65/100, Salem County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +2.5%, and median household income stands at $79,960 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NJ.
Housing in Salem County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $239,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $1,253/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Salem County are hiring — job growth of +2.5% — but the population is close to flat (+0.5% YoY). Home values moved +1.8% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.09% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Salem County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.