West Salem, Illinois
Village · Population 745 · #734 in Illinois
tiny community🌐 west-salem-il.uscitysearch.com
About West Salem
West Salem is a tiny community in southeastern Illinois with an estimated population of 745.
West Salem holds the status of an incorporated village, one of the most intimate forms of local government in America. The community covers 1.56 square miles, giving it wide-open spaces and a spread-out, rural feel at roughly 478 residents per square mile.
📰 West Salem News Today
- West Salem, IL Air Quality & Pollen Weather Underground · Aug 16
- Edward Lee Miller Obituary Jun 19, 2026 Meridith Funeral Home, P.C. · Jun 19
- Small earthquake rattles southeastern Illinois town WGEM · Jun 29
- 3.5 earthquake hits near West Salem, Ill. WFIE | 14 News · Jun 29
- Elizabeth Ann Stevens Obituary (2026) - West Salem, IL - Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home, P.C. - West Salem Legacy obituary · Jun 3
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes West Salem Unique
- Positioned in southeastern Illinois, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
- Part of the fabric of Illinois — one of 1,461 recognized communities statewide.
Why People Love It Here
- Quiet streets and a slower rhythm — the kind of place people move to on purpose.
- Cost of living typically runs below the big-metro average.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 10 miles.
🏫 Schools in West Salem
- West Salem Grade School
Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.
⚡ Quick Facts
StateIllinois
TypeVillage
Population (2024)745
Rank in state#734 of 1,294
Land area1.56 sq mi
Density478/sq mi
Coordinates38.5201, -88.0093