Signals
Johnstown
Salem
Growth
19 · Bottom 9%
vs26 · Bottom 15%
Climate
62 · Bottom 38%
vs62 · Bottom 37%
Physical resilience
96 · Top 1%
vs77 · Top 18%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
75 · Bottom 48%
vs84 · Top 34%
Economic stability
33 · Bottom 24%
vs41 · Bottom 36%
Measured values
| Metric | Johnstown | Salem | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 131,538 | 100,704 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $58,418 | $58,180 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $34,692 | $33,491 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 191/sq mi | 189/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $121,000 | $151,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $739 | $756 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 76.4% | 72.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 17.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 14.2% | 15.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 59 | 61 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.4 | 0.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -3.3% | 13.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 79°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 40 mi | 34 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.6 min | 26.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 45.6 | 44.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Full profiles: Johnstown, PA Metro Area · Salem, OH Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology