Serving as the proud county seat, Salem City is a deeply historic riverfront community that packs centuries of American heritage into just 2.8 square miles, with tidal waters accounting for nearly 18% of its total area. Founded by Quaker John Fenwick in 1675, the city recently experienced a modest population uptick to nearly 5,300 residents, reflecting a renewed wave of local engagement.
Today, it remains a bustling, architecturally stunning urban center focused on community revitalization and preserving its massive historical footprint.
Boasting incredible colonial architecture, Salem City’s roots predate the nation itself. For centuries, the legendary Salem Oak stood as a living monument to these origins, shading the ancient Quaker burial grounds and symbolizing the city’s enduring, resilient strength.
The historic Market Street district and the iconic county courthouse form the bustling center of civic life. Through dedicated community events and revitalization efforts, locals are breathing vibrant new energy into this quintessential historic downtown.
Today, it remains a bustling, architecturally stunning urban center focused on community revitalization and preserving its massive historical footprint.
Salem City News and Articles
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Salem Police Crime Log: June 16 to June 30, 2026
Salem Police Department made 13 total arrests during June 16 to June 30, 2026. The log includes a Salem individual charged with aggravated assault for knowingly pointing a firearm at another, multiple warrants arrests, simple assaults, and more throughout the approximate two week time period for the end of June 2026. See the complete June…
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Lakes of Salem County: Elkinton Millpond
The Quiet Legacy of Elkinton Millpond: A Deep Run Cornerstone Introduction: The Echoes of Deep Run Tucked away in the quiet, agricultural expanses of Alloway Township, Elkinton Millpond (historically referred to as Elkinton Pond) serves as a peaceful sentinel of Salem County’s evolving relationship with its natural waterways. Sitting at an elevation of approximately 13…
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Inspira Health submits Application to D.O.H. to Close ICU’s in Salem County
UPDATED 2:21PM 6/26 – ELMER / MANNINGTON, NJ — According to official emails sent to staff at both Elmer and Salem Medical Centers as well as after communicating with an Inspira Health Spokesperson, Inspira Health has announced plans to close its Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at both Inspira Medical Center Elmer and Inspira Medical Center…
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Salem Police Crime Log: June 1 – June 15
Salem Police Department made 6 total arrests during June 1 – June 15, 2026. The log includes a male from Salem charged with the manufacture or distribution of controlled dangerous substance, multiple individuals were arrested for warrants, shoplifting and more throughout the approximately two week time period. Read the complete second June 1 – June…
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Salem Police Crime Log: May 16th – May 31st
Salem Police Department made 10 total arrests during the last half of May, 2026. Multiple individuals were arrested for assaults committed throughout the approximately two week time period along with warrants served and several other charges. Read the complete second half of May crime log from Salem City Police Department below. On May 15th,2026 at…
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Southern NJ Transit Market Study Public Survey seeks Salem County Citizens’ Feedback
Speak Up, Salem County: NJ TRANSIT Launches Free Shuttle Pilot and Seeks Your Input to Get the Routes Right SALEM, NJ — Efforts to bring major changes to the public transportation landscape in South Jersey have begun, and local officials are handing Salem County as well as Cumberland, Cape May, and Atlantic County residents the…
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The Salem River Runs Through It: A 35-Mile Journey Through History
Spanning 34.7 miles, the Salem River is a vital tributary of the Delaware River. Unlike many regional waterways, its entire course and watershed lie strictly within Salem County. This isolation has created a unique sanctuary for wildlife, making it a premier destination for fishing, bird watching, and local conservation. The River’s Course and Tributaries The…
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LIVE MUSIC: Week of June 1st
Live music listings for the week of June 1 in Salem County, New Jersey
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Fenwick’s Soil: The Enduring Ecological Tapestry of Salem County
Deep Roots and Sassafras Loam: How Salem County Held the Line Against the Sprawl Drive south from the concrete sprawl of the Northeast Corridor, and the landscape abruptly shifts. The endless distribution centers and subdivisions give way to sprawling fields of corn, historic glazed-brick farmhouses, and vast tidal marshes. You have crossed into Salem County,…
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Salem Police Log May 1st – May 15th
Salem Police Department made 14 total arrests. Multiple individuals arrested for assaults committed throughout the first half of May along with multiple weapons charges including one case with large capacity ammo and hollow nose/dum-dum. Read the complete first half of May crime log from Salem City Police Department below. On May 2nd, Salem Police arrested…
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Salem City Council passes Glass Plant Redevelopment Agreement
Update on Salem City’s Old Glass Plant Redevelopment: Officials approve Agreement on May 26th, 2026 SALEM CITY — A big step toward revitalizing Salem City and its once industrially significant waterfront is drawing nearer. This is so because on Tuesday May 26th, the Salem City Council approved a monumental redevelopment agreement related to the demolition…
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Salem County Art Tour set for May 16-17
Free two-day Art Tour to feature over 40 local artists across Salem County The upcoming Salem County Art Tour is an event where artists from all over Salem County share their studios with the public for a free, two-day, county-wide event on May 16th from 10am to 5pm and May 17th from 11am to 4pm.…
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Robbery Charge Tops Salem City Arrests from second half of April 2026
Salem City Police Bi-Weekly Police Blotter: April 16 to April 30 2026 The Salem Police Department crime log for this time period shows six incidents total Salem City Police Department Crime Log for April 16th to April 30th, 2026: On 04/19/2026 Salem Police arrested Braysia Long for the following charges: Simple Assault. On 04/21/2026 Salem…
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“The Tale of Salem County’s Three Cannons”
Above: Il Sannito on display in Spring of 2014 The News of Salem County File Photo Introduction: Forgotten Pieces of Salem County History Few modern Salem County residents know the story of the three historic bronze cannons purchased as Army surplus after the War of 1812. In fact, even lifelong residents might draw a blank…
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The Star of Salem City
Nearly 120 years before the iconic rainbow jumpsuit and bright red hair of David Bowie, the United States had its own “Starman.” The Original Star man of Philadelphia He was one S. Ashton of Market Street, Philadelphia. Located there was a clothing store with a large star for a sign which included the number 16…