This was to prevent confusion with the now non-existent community of Salena, South Dakota.

[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.24 square miles (3.21 km2), all land.

[10] As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 1,347 people, 567 households, and 362 families living in the city.

33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.6% consisted of a lone resident 65 years of age or older.

The public school has been under construction for over a year and its $7.1 million building project will soon be completed.

The new school will have a stage, performing arts center, commons areas, classrooms, offices, and bathrooms.

[16] The most-popular student activities at the public school are FFA, band, chorus, and sports.

Salem has a country club with a nine-hole golf course, a bowling alley, three parks, a swimming pool, track, football field, gym, yoga,[clarification needed] baseball diamond, and two softball diamonds.