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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LIVE MUSIC: Week of June 1st
Live music listings for the week of June 1 in Salem County, New Jersey
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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 to review 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 29th, the Salem City Council approved a monumental redevelopment agreement related to the…
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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 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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“The Tale of Salem County’s Three Cannons”
Introduction: Forgotten Pieces of Salem County History Not many younger/newer Salem County residents know of the story of Salem County’s three cannons that were purchased from Army surplus after the War of 1812. Come to think of it, I bet not many older residents can even recall the tale! Regardless, it’s about time that it…
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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…
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An Oasis in the Food Desert of Salem City
Update on the coming Rastelli Foods Store in Salem SALEM CITY, N.J. — A collective feeling of “at last” washed over the Old Salem Courthouse on Monday afternoon, March 9, 2026. Relief is officially on the horizon for Salem City residents as officials updated the public on the groundbreaking partnership to bring a fresh grocery…