The earliest history of Salem exists as archaeological evidence of Native American tribes from as far back as 8,000 BCE until the middle of the 18th century.

Europeans first explored the area of Salem in 1671, when the Siouan-speaking Totero people had a village nearby.

Salem became a small settlement serving travelers on the Great Road (roughly the same path followed by US-11 and later Interstate 81 today) and was officially founded in 1802, receiving its charter in 1806.

Salem was attacked twice by the Union Army during the American Civil War, but its Salem Flying Artillery is said to have fired the last Confederate shot at Appomattox Court House prior to Robert E. Lee's surrender.

One of the city's four elementary schools is named after African American scientist G. W. Carver.

In 1847, the Virginia Institute, a boy's preparatory school, moved to Salem from Staunton.

The college is located in central Salem, one block north of Main Street.

In August 2007, the Salem Football Stadium also hosted the Southwestern Virginia Educational Classic.

This game is played annually in the Roanoke Valley and consists of two football teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The city hosts several other statewide, regional, and national sporting events at its facilities.

Salem High School, is also known for its athletic programs, particularly the football team which has won ten state championships since 1996, and also the forensics team, which has won eighteen consecutive state championships.

The members of council are Mayor Renée Ferris Turk, Vice Mayor James “Jim” Wallace III, Byron “Randy” Foley, William “Bill” Jones, and Hunter H. Holliday.