Salem is a city in and the county seat of McCook County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 1,347 at the 2010 census.
Salem was founded in 1880 and named after the postmaster's hometown of Salem, Massachusetts. Salem at one time was called Melas ('Melas' is Salem spelled backwards). This was to prevent confusion with the now non-existent community of Salena, South Dakota.
Salem has a wide variety of places to eat.
Salem has its very own country club with a 9 hole golf course and its very own bowling alley. Salem has three parks, a swimming pool, track, football field, gym, yoga, baseball diamond, and 2 softball diamonds. Salem also has its own community library.