Selma city, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Selma city, Alabama has a total population of 17,442, the 37th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $32,184, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 14.4% is notably above the national average.
Selma city Quick Facts
How Selma city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 52 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Selma city Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Cities Similar to Selma city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prichard city | 19,121 | $35,331 | $79,900 | 9.4% | 32.1% |
| Troy city | 17,733 | $47,595 | $214,100 | 36.5% | 26.1% |
| Tillmans Corner CDP | 17,678 | $52,249 | $155,000 | 13.4% | 18.9% |
| Alexander City city | 14,686 | $42,367 | $135,900 | 17.4% | 21.8% |
| Center Point city | 16,125 | $52,401 | $130,200 | 17.3% | 18.6% |
Population Overview
Selma city is a small city located in Alabama. The total population is 17,442. It ranks as the 37th most populous out of 589 cities and towns in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Selma city is 39.4 years. This is about average than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Selma city is $32,184. This is 48% lower than the state median of $62,027. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 59% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.3%. This is 81% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 14.4%. This is 199% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $102,500. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $195,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 46.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 69.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Selma city is Black or African American, making up 81.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.0%) is well below the state average of 63.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (81.0% vs 25.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.4%.
Education
19.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 27.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Selma city, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 589 Census-designated places in Alabama. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Selma city, Alabama?
Selma city, Alabama has a population of 17,442 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Selma city, AL?
The median household income in Selma city is $32,184, which is 59% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Selma city, AL?
The poverty rate in Selma city is 28.3%. This means approximately 4,815 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Selma city, Alabama?
Selma city's population is 16.0% White, 81.0% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Selma city, AL?
The median home value in Selma city is $102,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Selma city, Alabama?
19.1% of adults (25+) in Selma city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.