[20] The name Salem, for both the city and county, is derived from the Hebrew word shalom, meaning peace.

The town and colony of Salem was laid out in 1675 by John Fenwick and the community was given permission to choose officers in October 1693.

[28] Fenwick had been involved in a financial dispute with an Edward Byllynge, another Quaker, who had received the undivided portion of New Jersey territory that James Stuart, Duke of York had granted to Lord John Berkeley in 1664.

William Penn was asked to adjudicate the matter and he awarded 90% of the claim to Byllynge and the remaining 10% and a cash settlement to Fenwick for his share.

So Fenwick organized a colony of settlers and sailed to the Delaware Bay where he settled as Patroon on the eastern shore near the abandoned Swedish settlement of Fort Nya Elfsborg and set himself up as the local governor of the fifth Tenth (approximately 20% of the original Edward Byllynge property), issuing land patents and enforcing his own laws in defiance of Byllynge and Penn.

The economic damages to those who controlled property within and near Salem caused many injured persons over the next decade to declare a long line of complaints and lawsuits in the colonial courts.

To preserve Salem, its inhabitants and their property, Fenwick remained under arrest for months until copies of documents proving his claims were obtained from England.

Fenwick ultimately proved the right of his claim in the court of Dominion Governor Andros, and returned to govern the Salem tenth by 1689.

[28] During the American Revolutionary War, British forces under Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Mawhood launched a raid on Salem on March 18, 1778.

American Colonel Asher Holmes threatened to terrorize local Loyalists in retaliation if Mawhood carried out his threats, which led the latter to back down.

However, on March 21 Major John Graves Simcoe led 300 troops of the 27th Regiment of Foot and Queen's Rangers in a sneak attack on Hancock House, surprising and killing between 20 and 30 American militiamen sleeping there.

Four men were convicted and sentenced to death for treason; however, they were pardoned by Governor William Livingston and exiled from New Jersey.

[26]The Old County Courthouse was the site of the legend of Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson proving the edibility of the tomato.

According to legend, Colonel Johnson stood upon the courthouse steps in 1820 and ate tomatoes in front of a large amazed crowd assembled to watch him do so.

[39][40] The climate in the area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

All members of the governing body are chosen on a partisan basis as part of the November general election.

[6][59] As of 2022[update], the Mayor of Salem is Democrat Jody Veler, whose term of office ends December 31, 2024.

[3][60][61][62][63][64] Ruth Carter was named in October 2013 to fill the seat vacated in the previous month by Bob Johnson, who resigned due to family obligations.

[66] Vaughn Groce was chosen in January 2013 to fill the seat of Charles Washington Jr., expiring in December 2013 that was vacated when he took office as mayor.

[69][70][71] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 2nd congressional district is represented by Jeff Van Drew (R, Dennis Township).

[73] For the 2024-2025 session, the 3rd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by John Burzichelli (D, Paulsboro) and in the General Assembly by David Bailey (D, Woodstown) and Heather Simmons (D, Glassboro).

Cross (R, Pennsville Township, 2029),[77][78] Sheriff Charles M. Miller (R, Salem, 2027)[79][80] and Surrogate Nicki A. Burke (D, Woodstown, 2025).

[83] Among the city's 2010 Census population, 57.8% (vs. 64.6% in Salem County) were registered to vote, including 80.5% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 84.4% countywide).

South Jersey Port Corporation operates the Salem Terminal on a 22-acre complex located west of downtown.

[120] Nearby highways and structures include Interstate 295, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Delaware Memorial Bridge.