 About 17.8% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 20.8% of those age 65 or over.Salem operates within the mayor-city council form of government.The mayor is elected by a citywide election to serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the city by presiding over all city functions and allocating duties to city employees.