The economy of Salem is mostly influenced by Information Technology, Steel, Textile industry, Agriculture and others. Salem is most popularly known as the Steel City and Mango City of India. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Salem city is 12,134.10 (In Crore Rupees) and growth rate is 10.31% (YOY). It is the third largest economical district in Tamil Nadu.[6] Salem has one special economic zone over 40 in Tamil Nadu. ELCOT has established an IT SEZ at Jagirammapalayam village in an extent of 53.33 acres of land at an investment of ₹ 40.53 crore.[7]
Salem district also have local planning authority called Salem Local Planning Authority[8] for development of Salem City Corporation area and Salem metropolitan area.
Salem Metro is the proposed monorail system for the city of Salem, Tamil Nadu, part of a major expansion of public transport in the city. Salem city is one of the developed city in Tamil Nadu.[9] As the monorail market is estimated to be ₹72,000 crore (US$10 billion) in India, the then Governor of Tamil Nadu S. S. Barnvarilal announced in Legislative assembly that the Government of Tamil Nadu has decided to do a feasibility study for introducing monorail system in Salem[10] along with Coimbatore, Trichy and Madurai.[11]
New construction in areas under the Salem Urban Development Authority needs their approval to start work. And total area covered is 1,265.197 km2 , and population is 2,463,367.
The Salem Urban Development Authority (SUDA) is nodal planning agency for Salem City Municipal Corporation and it's Suburbs of Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Salem Urban Development Authority administers the Salem Metropolitan Area, spread over an area of 1265.197 km2. And covers the area of Salem City Municipal Corporation, 2 Municipalities, 8 Town Panchayats and 7 Panchayat Unions. Total population of the area covered by Salem Urban Development Authority is 2,463,367.[12][13][14][15]
^Urban Development – Declaration of Salem Urban Planning Area under clause (48) of section 2 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu Act 35 of 1972) – Orders – Issued