Salem, VA: Marketing for Dental & Medical Practices
Public data on Salem, and what we would do first for a practice there because of it.
Salem at a glance
Furthest from the US: share of residents who speak Spanish at home (2.2% against 13.6%), then median household income ($66,725 against $80,734).
- Residents, July 2025 estimate25,816Up 1.9% from the April 2020 base of 25,341
- Median household income$66,725Well below Virginia ($93,170), below the US ($80,734)
- Median age40.0Close to both Virginia (39.0) and the US (38.9)
- Residents 65 and older19.6%Above both Virginia (16.7%) and the US (17.2%)
- Bachelor's degree or higher (residents 25+)33.1%Well below Virginia (42.2%), below the US (35.7%)
- Speak Spanish at home (residents 5+)2.2%Well below both Virginia (7.9%) and the US (13.6%)
The share who speak Spanish at home is where Salem and Roanoke (5 miles apart) differ most: 2.2% against 6.5%, then the median household income ($66,725 against $55,378).
Local healthcare landscape in Salem
LewisGale Medical Center is listed at 1900 Electric Rd in Salem, and its page says the hospital has cared for patients in the Salem and greater Roanoke communities for more than a century and lists a Level II Trauma Center and an onsite radiation and infusion center. The Salem VA Medical Center lists 1970 Roanoke Boulevard in Salem. The City of Salem economic development page says the region is served by HCA Virginia Health System, Carilion Clinic and the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Salem's Comprehensive Plan 2045 describes a Snyder-Williams Branch District as long term redevelopment into an urban neighborhood that organizes around the creek, an Apperson District with a plan for redevelopment that promotes a higher mix of uses, a Civic Center / Elizabeth Campus District, and a Downtown District.
Neighborhoods and areas
- Snyder-Williams Branch District
- Apperson District
- Downtown District
Sources for this section
Who practices in Salem
NPI-registered providers with a practice address in Salem, by primary specialty (people, not offices). Per resident, Salem is furthest above the US among plastic surgeons (4.6 times the US rate) and lowest among dermatologists (0.7 times).
| Specialty | In Salem | Residents per provider | US | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists | 23 | 1 per 1,122 | 1 per 1,340 | Above |
| Chiropractors | 9 | 1 per 2,868 | 1 per 3,311 | Above |
| Dermatologists | 1 | 1 per 25,816 | 1 per 17,857 | Well below |
| Physical therapists | 45 | 1 per 574 | 1 per 1,181 | Well above |
| Optometrists | 9 | 1 per 2,868 | 1 per 5,291 | Well above |
| Podiatrists | 7 | 1 per 3,688 | 1 per 14,706 | Well above |
| Plastic surgeons | 2 | 1 per 12,908 | 1 per 58,824 | Well above |
Private-sector health care employers in Salem city, 2024
2024 annual averages for the whole county. Offices of dentists are 15.1% of them, below the US share of 18.5%.
- Ambulatory health care establishments93Average employment 1,042
- Offices of physicians26
- Offices of dentists14
- Offices of other health practitioners26
What we'd prioritize for a Salem practice
Chosen by fixed rules from the figures above.
A crowded field for physical therapists
2.1 times the US number of NPI-registered physical therapists per resident (one per 574 residents). A physical therapist here needs a clear focus and real reviews: see our marketing for physical therapists.
Reviews and your Google Business Profile first
One NPI-registered dentist per 1,122 residents in Salem (US: one per 1,340). We would start with the Google Business Profile and review management.
Put insurance and payment options up front
Median household income $66,725 (US $80,734). Plans accepted and financing belong on every page of the website.
Medicare-age services and an easy-to-read site
19.6% of Salem residents are 65 or older, against 17.2% for the US. Medicare-age services get their own pages, with large type and the phone number one tap away (email reminders).
Talk to Us About Your Salem Practice
- No Long-Term Contracts
- HIPAA-Compliant
- 4–6 Week Delivery
Sources
- Census Bureau population estimates, July 1, 2025 estimates; April 1, 2020 estimates base
- Census Gazetteer files, 2025
- American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024 5-year
- CMS NPI Registry, live registry as of 2026-11-01
- Census ZIP code relationship files, 2020
- 2020 Census block populations, April 1, 2020
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (private sector), 2024 annual averages
Provider counts use each NPI record’s practice ZIP code, split between places by where the ZIP’s 2020 census residents live.
Medi-Edge Marketing is a medical marketing agency in Vista, California, working remotely with practices across the United States. See every location page or our services.