Salem is an unincorporated community in the northeast corner of the township. Settled in 1825 by the cousins John and Joseph Dickerson, the hamlet is located along 6 Mile Road and Salem Road. The CSX Plymouth Subdivision railway forms the eastern border of the community. The township hall is located here.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 34.3 square miles, all land. Salem is host to an -owned landfill, the Arbor Hills Landfill. The landfill was formerly owned by Veolia Environmental Services and is one of the largest landfills in the state. A large portion of revenue comes from Canadian trash kept in this landfill. Much of the revenue brought in by the landfill goes to the county government, and a smaller portion goes to the local government. Income generated from this landfill allows the township to levy no taxes for residents. This income also pays for government services including office staff and public safety. The current rate is between 24 and 28 mills total to the resident homeowner. ZIP codes:
At the 2000 census, there were 5,562 people, 1,928 households and 1,615 families residing in the township. The population density was 162.2 per square mile. There were 2,031 housing units at an average density of 59.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the township was 95.97% White, 1.33% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population. There were 1,928 households of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.6% were married couplesliving together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.2% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.13. 27.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males. The median household income was $69,258 and the median family income was $75,115. Males had a median income of $50,813 compared with $31,729 for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,450. About 0.8% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
Barbara Lewis, singer, "Baby I'm Yours", was born in Salem.
