The hamlet, the largest in the town of Lewisboro, also enjoys many trappings of suburbia, including well-regarded public schools, an active local recreation department and relative proximity to New York City. It is one of six hamlets in Lewisboro, which also encompasses Goldens Bridge, Waccabuc, Cross River, Lewisboro and Vista.
Situated roughly 50 miles from Manhattan, South Salem is close to the Connecticut border and convenient to Interstate 684. Though there is no Metro-North station within South Salem, residents can drive to Katonah, Goldens Bridge or New Canaan, Conn., for trains that travel to Grand Central Terminal in around an hour and 10 minutes.
Notable residents have included the 33rd Vice President of the United States Henry A. Wallace, Major John Andre (British spy held captive), Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, photographer O. Winston Link, artist Charles Sheeler (American, 1883–1965), pianist Hélène Grimaud, composer and arranger Clare Grundman, singer and musical stage headliner Sally Ann Howes, actress Colleen Dewhurst, bond salesman Joseph Schembri, and notorious real estate scion Robert Durst.
The Osborn-Bouton-Mead House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
