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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2020 ACS

Selma Micro

Selma, AL · 1 counties · 38,462 residents · 978.738 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 $33,317. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 7,903 residents. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $84,100. The poverty rate of 29.2% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
17% 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
38,462
−17%since 2000
from 46,365 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
39 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 47 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.3
+20%since 2000
from 35.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
36K39K42K46K49K1990201020202024Selma
202437K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,317
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,370 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,653
+44%since 2000
from $13,638 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
19.4%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
29.2%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 31.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade27.6%
US avg: 10%
Information10.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$84,100
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$674
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $350 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
60.4%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 65.7% in 2000
39.6% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+3%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Selma on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic35.4%(16,417)
Black63%(29,201)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(290)
Asian0.3%(157)
Other0%
Diversity Score58.9%(27,303)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic26.9%(10,363)
Black69.7%(26,812)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(296)
Asian0.4%(145)
Other0.6%(241)
Diversity Score52.9%(20,353)
Segregation Score53.1%(20,414)
Diversity Score
53
−10%since 2000
from 59 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
53
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.6%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.9%
+13.6 ptssince 2000
from 70.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.5 min
+57%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
88.8%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
13.5%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.4%
−6.7 ptssince 2011
from 17.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
51.8%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 53.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.4%
−33.2 ptssince 2009
from 59.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
Female
53.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 54.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.2%
−74.0 ptssince 2013
from 84.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
In this metro

Principal cities

SelmaCENTRAL16,077
What's inside

1 component county

Dallas CountyCENTRAL35,140
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Selma

Minden
Pop 34,948
Greenwood
Pop 34,912
Deming
Pop 25,407
Cleveland
Pop 28,262
Places similar to Selma
Head to head

Compare Selma side by side

SELMA VS
Minden
Income$41,182+24%
Home value$114,500+36%
Population34,948−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SELMA VS
Greenwood
Income$41,602+25%
Home value$103,409+23%
Population34,912−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SELMA VS
Deming
Income$36,419+9%
Home value$128,000+52%
Population25,407−28%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SELMA VS
Cleveland
Income$39,585+19%
Home value$130,000+55%
Population28,262−20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Selma, AL?

Selma, AL has about 38,462 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Selma, AL?

The typical household in Selma, AL earns about $33,317 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Selma, AL expensive?

In Selma, AL, the median home is worth about $84,100, and the typical rent is about $674 a month.

How educated are people in Selma, AL?

About 16.6% of adults age 25 and over in Selma, AL hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Selma, AL?

About 29.2% of people in Selma, AL live below the federal poverty line.

Has Selma, AL grown since 1990?

Yes, Selma, AL has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 9,668 residents, a change of about -20 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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