Population 21,878 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Selma: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Selma
Household size in Selma
| Period | Selma | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.49 | 2.55 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.54 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.43 | 2.58 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.23 | 2.56 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.26 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Selma is a place of small households, averaging 2.23 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.49 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people, only six have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Selma
| Period | Selma | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.5 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.4 | 39.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.0 | 40.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.4 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.0 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Selma are younger than 40.4 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 37.5 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the east.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Selma
| Period | Selma | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.6% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 19.9% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 20.2% | 12.2% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.1 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in five households in Selma (20.2%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Only ten of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Selma
Renters in Selma
| Period | Selma | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.6% | 28.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 46.7% | 30.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 48.6% | 31.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 46.9% | 29.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Selma than nationally: 46.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. About two-thirds of owners (66.4%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.3 points, in line with the national trend. Only seven of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Selma
| Period | Selma | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.7% | 14.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.2% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.2% | 15.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.7% | 13.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 13.7% of the housing in Selma, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 2.0 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Selma
| Period | Selma | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1969 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1968 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1975 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Selma run a bit older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1975 against 1980. The median year built has moved up from 1969 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the center. Of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people, only 17 have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Selma
| Period | Selma | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $527 | $716 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $577 | $785 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $686 | $858 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $751 | $1,091 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$225 | +$375 | +$606 |
Rent in Selma runs $751 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $225 a month from 2006–10, a 43% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 38.0% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the southwest; the most affordable are in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Selma
Bachelor's degrees in Selma
| Period | Selma | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.6% | 23.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.6% | 24.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.8% | 26.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.5% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | +5.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Selma: 18.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has edged up 0.9 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the east.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Selma
| Period | Selma | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 77.9% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.0% | 84.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 80.6% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.9% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +11.0 pts | +6.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Selma is close to the national rate: 88.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 11.0 points, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Selma
| Period | Selma | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.4% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 21.4% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.1% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.5% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.9 pts | −3.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Selma runs well above the national rate: 11.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only four of the 186 Alabama cities with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.9 points, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Selma compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selma | 2.23 | 40.4 | 20.2% | 46.9% | 13.7% | 1975 | $751 | 18.5% | 88.9% | 11.5% |
| Selmont-West Selmont | 2.78 | 40.4 | 16.3% | 15.7% | 19.7% | 1980 | $832 | 11.3% | 89.6% | 15.7% |
| Valley Grande | 2.33 | 46.5 | 9.1% | 18.5% | 11.5% | 1991 | $722 | 15.8% | 89.8% | 4.3% |
| West Selmont | 2.32 | 42.6 | 13.8% | 17.3% | 19.4% | 1984 | $720 | 24.0% | 90.1% | 10.5% |
| Potter | 2.36 | 43.7 | 15.7% | 15.6% | 7.5% | 1993 | $847 | 16.3% | 89.0% | 8.9% |
| Casey | 2.54 | 45.2 | 15.8% | 20.9% | 22.9% | 1977 | $849 | 12.0% | 84.8% | 11.4% |
| Summerfield | 2.37 | 42.2 | 15.2% | 12.6% | 13.3% | 1992 | $715 | 11.4% | 87.8% | 8.9% |
| Fremont | 2.62 | 42.7 | 10.2% | 18.7% | 18.8% | 1988 | $852 | 12.0% | 86.3% | 6.3% |
| Hazen | 3.53 | 22.1 | 5.6% | 15.5% | 27.8% | 1990 | $407 | 15.5% | 78.5% | 6.7% |
| Marion Junction | 2.26 | 48.8 | 15.6% | 14.3% | 19.5% | 1991 | $908 | 21.4% | 90.2% | 5.7% |
| Harrell | 2.16 | 44.1 | 25.6% | 14.8% | 45.3% | 1988 | $699 | 21.9% | 99.8% | 1.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Machesney Park, IL · Laurinburg, NC · Lebanon, MO · Lemont, IL · Libertyville, IL · Lincolnia, VA · Little River, SC · Lochearn, MD · Lorton, VA · Louisville, CO
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Selma. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.