Salem is a village in Richardson County, Nebraska, United States.

[5] Salem is derived from the Hebrew word shalom, meaning "peace".

[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.62 square miles (1.61 km2), all land.

40.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 7.1% of families and 13.9% of the population living below the poverty line, including 3.8% of under eighteens and 5.0% of those over 64.