Salem is a town located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 28,112.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 67.0 km² (25.9 mi²). 64.0 km² (24.7 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.49% water.

As of the census² of 2000, there are 28,112 people, 10,402 households, and 7,603 families residing in the town. The population density is 439.4/km² (1,138.0/mi²). There are 10,866 housing units at an average density of 169.9/km² (439.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 95.01% White, 0.55% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.27% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.83% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 1.96% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 10,402 households out of which 34.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% are married couples living together, 8.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% are non-families. 21.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.69 and the average family size is 3.16.

In the town the population is spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $58,090, and the median income for a family is $67,278. Males have a median income of $46,330 versus $31,031 for females. The per capita income for the town is $26,170. 4.1% of the population and 3.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.1% of those under the age of 18 and 7.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Salem is home to several schools and cultural institutions. Frankin Pierce College, Hesser College, and University of Southern New Hampshire all have campuses in the town. Salem High School[1], in the Salem School District [2] is the local public high school to the town and neighboring Windham, New Hampshire. The town library is the Kelley Library [3]. Cultural/entertainment attractions in the town include America's Stonehenge and an amusement park, Canobie Lake Park. Canobie Lake Park is an over 100 year old theme park on, well, Canobie Lake.

• Salem official website