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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Selma

Alabama · 20,512 residents · 13.809 sq mi
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The short version

Selma has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $21,261. Population has declined 14% since 1990. Median home value is $61,800. The poverty rate of 31.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 38% less than the Alabama median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 36.2
US median: 35.2
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,512
−14%since 1990
from 23,755 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,485 / sq mi
−14%since 1990
from 1,720 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
36.2
+12%since 1990
from 32.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K18K20K22K24K1990201020202024Selma
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$21,261
+1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $15,917 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$13,369
+51%since 1990
from $8,844 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
31.7%
−4.0 ptssince 1990
from 35.7% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$61,800
+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $44,500 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$343
−1%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $264 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
52.5%
−0.8 ptssince 1990
from 53.4% in 1990
47.5% rent
Afford Score
2.9
+4%since 1990
from 2.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Selma on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic41.1%(9,764)
Black58.5%(13,902)
Hispanic / Latino0.1%(15)
Asian0.2%(50)
Diversity Score61.2%(14,526)
2000
White, non-Hispanic28.6%(5,875)
Black69.4%(14,242)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(138)
Asian0.6%(113)
Diversity Score53.5%(10,969)
Diversity Score
53
−13%since 1990
from 61 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.4%
+2.8 ptssince 1990
from 15.6% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
72.6%
+12.1 ptssince 1990
from 60.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
7.5%
+1.4 ptssince 1990
from 6.1% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.5 min
−1%since 1990
from 13.7 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Selma

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Pop 16,177
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Pop 10,872
Brownsville
Pop 16,936
Avon Park
Pop 10,514
Places similar to Selma
Head to head

Compare Selma to nearby cities

SELMA VS
Prattville
Income$81,337+283%
Home value$214,600+247%
Population40,582+152%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SELMA VS
Clanton
Income$47,520+124%
Home value$166,300+169%
Population9,289−42%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SELMA VS
Millbrook
Income$70,313+231%
Home value$207,100+235%
Population17,623+10%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SELMA VS
Montgomery
Income$56,811+167%
Home value$161,900+162%
Population195,300+1115%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Selma, Alabama?

Selma, Alabama has about 20,512 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Selma, Alabama?

The typical household in Selma, Alabama earns about $21,261 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 $61,800, and the typical rent is about $343 a month.

How educated are people in Selma, Alabama?

About 18.4% 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 31.7% 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 3,243 residents, a change of about -14 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 →