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CITY · 2020 ACS

Selma

North Carolina · 6,317 residents · 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 $23,161. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $110,600. At a median age of 33.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 59% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
11% 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
6,317
+7%since 2000
from 5,914 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,168 / sq mi
+7%since 2000
from 1,094 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.3
+7%since 2000
from 31.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K6K6K7K1990201020202024Selma
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$23,161
−35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,856 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$14,794
+22%since 2000
from $12,101 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
9.2%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
35.3%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 30.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information22.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade16.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade10.3%
US avg: 10%
Other services3.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 2%
Finance & insurance1.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$110,600
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$697
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $486 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
36.6%
−9.5 ptssince 2000
from 46.1% in 2000
63.4% rent
Afford Score
4.8
+82%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic22.2%(1,400)
Black36%(2,271)
Hispanic / Latino37.7%(2,381)
Asian0.5%(33)
Other0.8%(54)
Diversity Score82.6%(5,216)
Diversity Score
83
+3%since 2000
from 80 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
78.4%
+14.7 ptssince 2000
from 63.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.7%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.3 min
+23%since 2000
from 19.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.8%
+12.5 ptssince 2009
from 69.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
19.8%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.1%
−11.1 ptssince 2011
from 18.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.0%
−6.5 ptssince 2011
from 67.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
18.8%
−32.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
40.8%
−13.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Female
59.2%
+13.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Foreign born
13.5%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
19.4%
−44.4 ptssince 2013
from 63.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Selma to nearby cities

SELMA VS
Smithfield
Income$43,270+87%
Home value$242,500+119%
Population13,114+77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SELMA VS
Clayton
Income$78,822+240%
Home value$329,600+198%
Population32,633+341%
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SELMA VS
Wendell
Income$95,787+314%
Home value$330,500+199%
Population19,687+166%
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SELMA VS
Zebulon
Income$79,112+242%
Home value$320,700+190%
Population11,933+61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Selma, North Carolina?

Selma, North Carolina has about 6,317 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Selma, North Carolina earns about $23,161 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 $110,600, and the typical rent is about $697 a month.

How educated are people in Selma, North Carolina?

About 11.5% 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 35.3% 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 1,717 residents, a change of about 37 percent over that period.

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

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