Roanoke & New River Valley
Salem, Virginia
Independent city
College town next door to Roanoke
Salem is an independent city in the Roanoke Valley, surrounded by Roanoke County. It is the county seat and home to Roanoke College, with a compact historic downtown.
History & Local Character
Founded in 1802, Salem served as Roanoke County's seat and grew around a mineral springs resort and later a college.
Housing & Real Estate
Historic downtown homes, mid-century neighborhoods and newer subdivisions make up a market slightly above Roanoke's.
Restaurants & Shopping
Main Street holds a walkable strip of restaurants, breweries and cafes that serves both students and families.
Schools & Education
Salem City Public Schools serves the city and is consistently well regarded.
Parks & Recreation
Longwood Park, Lake Spring Park and the Roanoke River Greenway give the city trails, water and fields.
Transportation & Accessibility
I-81, US 11 and US 460 serve the city, with Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport about 10 minutes away.
Local Businesses
Local restaurantsBreweriesBookshopsFitness studios
No businesses are listed in Salem yet. Add your business to be the first.
Nearby Attractions
- Roanoke College
- Salem Museum
- Roanoke River Greenway
- Longwood Park
Advantages & Considerations
Advantages
- Good schools
- Walkable downtown
- Short drive to Roanoke
Considerations
- Smaller job base
- I-81 traffic
- Limited housing inventory
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem a city or a town?
Salem is an independent city in the Roanoke Valley and serves as the county seat of Roanoke County.