Salem, NC Eviction Risk Score Burke County · North Carolina · Pop. 2,377
Salem, NC sits at 4.5/10 — Moderate risk. 26.6% rent burden, 28.2% renters, ~43-day typical timeline.
Location & regional heat
Sub-score breakdown
Each component on a 1–10 scale. Ticks mark the 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles nationally.
About eviction risk in Salem, NC
Salem, NC has an eviction risk score of 4.5 out of 10, placing it in the moderate-risk tier for landlords operating in Burke County and the state of North Carolina. The score combines local political climate, court disposition patterns, cost-of-eviction estimates, tenant organizing strength, and the likelihood of new tenant-protective legislation in the next legislative cycle.
Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates show median gross rent as a percentage of household income is 26.6% — a core driver of eviction filings, because households above 30% of income on rent are statistically more likely to miss a payment after any income shock. Median gross rent in Salem is $856/month. About 28.2% of occupied units here are renter-occupied.
Economic stress: poverty rate 19.9%, unemployment 7.2%. Higher values correlate with higher eviction filing rates and longer court timelines.
Political climate: In 2020, Burke County voted Republican by 40.1 points — classified as strongly landlord-leaning for purposes of rent-control or just-cause expansion risk.
What this score means for landlords
At 4.5/10, Salem is a lower-risk environment. Standard screening, documented notices, and prompt action on non-payment typically resolve quickly. Still follow your state's specific notice and service requirements.
Nearby Cities — Eviction Risk Comparison
| City | Distance | Population | Risk score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morganton, NC | 2.8 mi | 17,646 | 5.6 |
| Glen Alpine, NC | 5.1 mi | 1,991 | 4.6 |
| Drexel, NC | 6.5 mi | 2,146 | 5.2 |
| Valdese, NC | 8.1 mi | 4,704 | 4.2 |
| Rutherford College, NC | 10.4 mi | 1,374 | 5.0 |
| Connelly Springs, NC | 12 mi | 2,427 | 4.7 |
| Nebo, NC | 12 mi | 1,670 | 4.0 |
| Gamewell, NC | 12.7 mi | 3,689 | 5.6 |
Landlord Guides & Research Tools
Deepen your research with these guides. The metrics powering this score feed directly into each breakdown.
- Eviction Process — Step-by-Step Timeline & Notices
- Eviction Costs Breakdown — Filing Fees to Turnover
- Tenant Screening Protocol — NGP 5-Point System
- Rent Control Coverage — AB 1482 & Local RSOs
- California Tenant Protections — Just Cause & Retaliation
- North Carolina Eviction Risk Overview — all counties & cities in North Carolina
- Burke County — compare every city in the county