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CITY

Selma

North Carolina · 7,406 residents (2025 est.) · 5.408 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 $41,368. Population has grown 15% since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $171,600. At a median age of 34.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 43% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 34.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
6,817
+15%since 2000
from 5,914 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,261 / sq mi
+15%since 2000
from 1,094 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
34.1
+9%since 2000
from 31.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:7,406 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K6K6K7K1990201020202024Selma
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,368
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,856 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,614
+103%since 2000
from $12,101 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
26.6%
+20.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
24.7%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 30.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.461
+13%since 2010
from 0.408 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information24.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade12.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade10.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food4.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services1.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$171,600
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$820
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $486 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
43.1%
−3.0 ptssince 2000
from 46.1% in 2000
56.9% rent
Vacancy rate
9.7%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
34.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 35.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
61.3%
+17.4 ptssince 2009
from 43.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.1
+58%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
67
RELATED:See current rent listings in Selma on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic39.2%(2,321)
Black40%(2,363)
Hispanic / Latino19%(1,125)
Asian0.2%(10)
Other0%
Diversity Score79.8%(4,721)
2024
White, non-Hispanic25.8%(1,757)
Black45.3%(3,090)
Hispanic / Latino23.3%(1,590)
Asian0.6%(40)
Other5%(340)
Diversity Score83.9%(5,719)
Diversity Score
84
+5%since 2000
from 80 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.8%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.8%
+21.2 ptssince 2000
from 63.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.8 min
+68%since 2000
from 19.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.3%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 69.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.0%
−10.3 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.4%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.4%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
15.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−13.3 ptssince 2011
from 18.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.6%
−6.9 ptssince 2011
from 67.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
21.1%
+10.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
24.5%
−26.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
41.9%
−12.0 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Female
58.1%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Foreign born
8.0%
−9.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.0%
−42.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2012
from 14.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.4%
−52.4 ptssince 2013
from 63.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.4%
+26.9 ptssince 2017
from 57.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
81.3%
+11.5 ptssince 2016
from 69.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
18.3%
−10.1 ptssince 2016
from 28.4% 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, North Carolina?

Selma, North Carolina has about 6,817 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Selma, North Carolina?

The typical household in Selma, North Carolina earns about $41,368 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Selma, North Carolina expensive?

In Selma, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $171,600, and the typical rent is about $820 a month.

How educated are people in Selma, North Carolina?

About 13.8% of adults age 25 and over in Selma, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Selma, North Carolina?

About 24.7% of people in Selma, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Selma, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Selma, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,217 residents, a change of about 48 percent over that period.

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

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