Salem, Missouri

Salem, Missouri
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Settled	1852
Population	4,950 (2010 census)
Area (sq mi)	3.18 mi²
Current mayor	Brad Nash

Salem is a fourth-class city in Dent County, Missouri, of which it is the county seat and the largest city (and the only city located entirely within the county). It had a population of 4,950 at the 2010 census.

History[edit]

The community of Salem was first settled by F. M. Jameson in 1852, shortly after the organization of Dent County. Given its location near the county's geographic center, it was the immediate choice for the county seat; a permanent courthouse was built in the new town in 1852 or 1853. Though initially referred to as Dent County Court House, the community was soon renamed Salem, a Hebrew word meaning peace and sometimes used in reference to Jerusalem.^[1]

Salem suffered considerably during the Civil War, with the courthouse being burned in 1864, as was its successor in 1866. A replacement was built in the Victorian style in 1870, drawing considerable attention for its architectural beauty; after its completion, pictures were shown in McClure's magazine and Eastern newspapers to show the development of the Western states.

The town began to prosper after 1880, with the opening of ironworks in the surrounding area and the construction of railroads to transport their products. It was also a major center in the manufacture of railroad ties and other wood products during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These activities were the important sources of employment and income for Salem, and spurred a period of rapid growth; a telephone system was installed in 1900, followed by electric utilities in 1909.

After World War II, the local economy shifted again, as "needlework" industries became more significant; for several decades afterward, Salem was home to several factories, producing shoes, sportswear, and other items of clothing. These have declined more recently with foreign competition; today, food service is the most important sector, including the manufacture of vending machines.^[2]

Salem and the Dent County area attracted national attention in 2012-13, when a dog impounded by the city for biting a child was scheduled to be euthanized, but this was eventually reversed after a public campaign in its favor and intense media scrutiny.^[3] Two years later, in July 2015, the Salem area drew attention once more when the Dent County commissioners voted unanimously to lower all flags to half staff on the 26th of every month for a year, to protest the Supreme Court's imposing of gay marriage on the country. However, they reversed this decision shortly afterward following public criticism.^[4]

Geography[edit]

Salem is located in central Dent County, and is its natural hub; the county's four main routes, Missouri State Highways 19, 32, 68, and 72, all converge in the town. It is about 20 miles northeast of Licking, and 22 miles northwest of Bunker. Its exact coordinates are 37°38’29”N 91°32’20”W.

The city lies in a gently rolling subsection of the Ozarks known as the Salem Plateau, named for Salem itself. It includes the upper reaches of Spring Creek, a tributary of the Meramec River to the north. Salem has a total area of 3.18 square miles, and an average elevation of 1,184 feet.^[5]

Weather and Climate[edit]

Like most of southern Missouri, Salem has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers and cool winters with a moderately high amount of precipitation. January temperatures average 34°F, while July temperatures average 78°F. Summer highs above 100°F and winter lows below 0°F are fairly rare, but not unknown. Average annual precipitation is 47.17 inches (including about 1.2 inches of snow).^[6]

Month	Average High (°F)	Average Low (°F)	Average Precipitation (in)
January	44.5	23.4	2.54
February	49.6	27.3	2.64
March	59.6	36.3	4.00
April	70.0	46.1	4.47
May	77.6	55.0	5.39
June	85.2	63.1	4.20
July	89.6	67.6	3.55
August	89.6	66.2	4.01
September	81.2	57.6	4.42
October	70.7	47.1	3.87
November	58.6	37.3	4.54
December	46.1	26.5	3.54
Annual	68.6	46.2	47.17

Demographics[edit]

At the 2010 census, Salem had a total of 4,950 inhabitants, grouped into 2,152 households, with a population density of 1,556.6 people per square mile. This figure represented a slight increase from the 2000 census, when Salem had a population of 4,854. 95.94% of the inhabitants were White, 0.53% were African-American, 1.13% were Native American, 0.16% were Asian, 0.08% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.32% were from some other race, and 1.84% were from two or more races. Hispanics of any race were 1.17% of the population.

The median age in Salem was 39.5 years, with 24.2% of inhabitants under the age of 18, 8.8% between 18 and 24 years old, 22.5% between 25 and 44, 24.1% between 45 and 64, and 20.3% 65 years old or older. The sex ratio was 46.5% male, 53.5% female.^[7]

According to the 2018 American Community Survey, Salem had a median household income of $29,389, and a median family income of $39,066. The unemployment rate was 7.4%. The per capita income was $23,341. About 28.0% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 35.9% of people under the age of 18 and 16.3% of people 65 years old or older.^[8]

Education[edit]

Salem and most of Dent County are served by the Salem R80 School District, based in the city itself. It is a PK-12 public institution with a total enrollment of about 1,440 students, divided into four facilities: William H. Lynch Elementary School (grades PK-1), Salem Upper Elementary School (2-5), Salem Junior High School (6-8), and Salem Senior High School (9-12).^[9] Its mascot is the Tigers, and the school colors are blue, white, and black.^[10]

Economy[edit]

The Salem area has traditionally had a mixed economy, resting on agriculture (especially livestock) and forestry as well as various forms of manufacturing and service industries. Presently, one of its largest businesses is U.S. Foodservice, a food distribution operation which has been based in the town for several decades. Several construction companies are also located in or near Salem, with retail trade, education, and health care constituting other major sources of employment.^[11]

Local Attractions[edit]

Salem sees a considerable amount of recreation-related tourism, due to the nearby Current and Meramec Rivers. Montauk State Park to the southwest, with its opportunities for trout fishing on the Current, is especially popular.

There are also several sites of historic importance, including the Dent County Courthouse, the Lower Parker School (built 1905/06), and the Old Mill at Montauk State Park (built 1896), all of which are now on the National Register of Historic Places. Aspects of local history are also presented at the Dent County Museum and at the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History.

Notable People[edit]

The following people were born in or are associated with Salem:

• Benjamin Cantwell (1902-1962), pitcher for the Boston Braves major league baseball team, spent his later life in Salem
• William P. Elmer (1871-1956), Republican politician, represented Missouri's 8th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives (1943-45)
• Ralph Kidd Hofer (1921-44), flying ace for the Royal Canadian Air Force and later the United States Army Air Force, killed in World War II
• Paulette Jiles (born 1943), poet and novelist
• Jason Smith (born 1980), Republican politician, currently representing Missouri's 8th Congressional District in the House of Representatives

References[edit]