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CITY

Selma

Alabama · 16,077 residents (2025 est.) · 13.809 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#76Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-13.4%
The short version

Selma has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $33,197. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 3,455 residents. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $96,500. The poverty rate of 30.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 48% less than the Alabama median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 14%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,057
−17%since 2000
from 20,512 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,235 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 1,485 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.5
+6%since 2000
from 36.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:16,077 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
16K18K20K22K24K1990201020202024Selma
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,197
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,261 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,156
+88%since 2000
from $13,369 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
20.4%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
30.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 31.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.522
−7%since 2010
from 0.559 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Information10.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services9.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance4.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$96,500
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $61,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$713
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $343 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
46.0%
−6.6 ptssince 2000
from 52.5% in 2000
54.0% rent
Vacancy rate
15.4%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 19.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.1%
−10.1 ptssince 2009
from 27.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
57.7%
+8.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.9
Unchangedsince 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Selma on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic28.6%(5,875)
Black69.4%(14,242)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(138)
Asian0.6%(113)
Other0%
Diversity Score53.5%(10,969)
2024
White, non-Hispanic14.8%(2,527)
Black82.5%(14,074)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(63)
Asian1.2%(199)
Other1.1%(194)
Diversity Score37.1%(6,331)
Diversity Score
37
−31%since 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.9%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 18.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.1%
+16.5 ptssince 2000
from 72.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.5%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.7 min
+83%since 2000
from 13.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.7%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 82.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.8%
+5.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
18.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
14.0%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 18.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.4%
+4.5 ptssince 2011
from 51.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.3%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 21.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.9%
−35.4 ptssince 2009
from 66.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
Female
56.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 55.3% in 2009
Foreign born
3.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.9%
−36.2 ptssince 2009
from 42.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.6%
−4.4 ptssince 2012
from 23.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.4%
−74.9 ptssince 2013
from 83.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.1%
+26.3 ptssince 2017
from 56.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 97.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2016
from 1.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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SELMA VS
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SELMA VS
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SELMA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Selma, Alabama?

Selma, Alabama has about 17,057 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Selma, Alabama?

The typical household in Selma, Alabama earns about $33,197 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Selma, Alabama expensive?

In Selma, Alabama, the median home is worth about $96,500, and the typical rent is about $713 a month.

How educated are people in Selma, Alabama?

About 19.9% of adults age 25 and over in Selma, Alabama hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Selma, Alabama?

About 30.8% of people in Selma, Alabama live below the federal poverty line.

Has Selma, Alabama grown since 1990?

Yes, Selma, Alabama has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 6,698 residents, a change of about -28 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →