Part of the county government was located here, including the jail and the Sheriff's Department.

The courthouse, formerly housing the jail, remains a historical landmark in the town.

The Sheriff's Department opened its new sub-station south of the community on Route 22 in August 2007.

[5] The community was settled in 1762 by settlers from New England and Scotland while still part of Albany County.

[6] Residents voted in favor, 192 to 49, of dissolving the Village of Salem on August 5, 2014.

All government activities previously managed by the village are now handled by the Town of Salem.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the hamlet has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.6 km2) NY Route 22 (Main Street) passes through the hamlet and intersects County Roads 30 and 153.