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CITY · 2020 ACS

Selma

Alabama · 17,971 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 $26,581. Population has declined 12% since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $90,500. The poverty rate of 36.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 49% less than the Alabama median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,971
−12%since 2000
from 20,512 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,301 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 1,485 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.6
+9%since 2000
from 36.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K18K20K22K24K1990201020202024Selma
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,581
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,261 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,063
+35%since 2000
from $13,369 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
15.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
36.2%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 31.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade23.3%
US avg: 10%
Information8.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade5.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration5.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$90,500
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $61,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$645
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $343 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
44.6%
−8.0 ptssince 2000
from 52.5% in 2000
55.4% rent
Afford Score
3.4
+17%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic14.3%(2,573)
Black82.1%(14,757)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(134)
Asian0.6%(107)
Other0.5%(82)
Diversity Score35%(6,286)
Diversity Score
35
−35%since 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 18.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.7%
+12.1 ptssince 2000
from 72.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.2 min
+64%since 2000
from 13.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
87.0%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 82.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
18.7%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.7%
−5.2 ptssince 2011
from 18.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
49.1%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 51.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
29.3%
−37.0 ptssince 2009
from 66.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
Female
55.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 55.3% in 2009
Foreign born
1.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.4%
−71.9 ptssince 2013
from 83.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Selma to nearby cities

SELMA VS
Prattville
Income$81,337+206%
Home value$214,600+137%
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SELMA VS
Clanton
Income$47,520+79%
Home value$166,300+84%
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SELMA VS
Millbrook
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Home value$207,100+129%
Population17,623+10%
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SELMA VS
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Income$56,811+114%
Home value$161,900+79%
Population195,300+1115%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Selma, Alabama?

Selma, Alabama has about 17,971 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Selma, Alabama?

The typical household in Selma, Alabama earns about $26,581 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 $90,500, and the typical rent is about $645 a month.

How educated are people in Selma, Alabama?

About 20.2% 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 36.2% 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 5,784 residents, a change of about -24 percent over that period.

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

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