Selma, Alabama Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Selma, Alabama had a total population of 17,057, the 39th largest city in Alabama, with a median household income of $33,197, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 (30.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 14.0% is notably above the national average.
Selma Quick Facts
How Selma Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,442 | 17,057 | -2.2% |
| Median household income | $32,184 | $33,197 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $102,500 | $96,500 | -5.9% |
How Selma Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 53 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Selma Rankings in Alabama
Explore Alabama Rankings
Other Cities in Dallas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Grande | 4,047 | $58,929 | 25.3% | $133,100 |
| Selmont-West Selmont | 2,150 | $32,443 | 28.2% | $69,000 |
| Orrville | 158 | N/A | 18.4% | $102,300 |
Cities Similar to Selma
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prichard | 18,961 | $36,588 | $85,700 | 10.8% | 30.6% |
| Troy | 17,716 | $50,717 | $231,400 | 39.7% | 25.0% |
| Talladega | 14,760 | $44,198 | $121,900 | 13.6% | 25.6% |
| Fort Payne | 14,927 | $47,479 | $157,000 | 17.3% | 32.5% |
| Scottsboro | 15,712 | $53,929 | $190,400 | 22.6% | 18.6% |
Population Overview
Selma is a small city located in Alabama, within Dallas County. The total population is 17,057. It ranks as the 39th most populous out of 592 Census-designated places in Alabama.
Age Demographics
The median age in Selma is 38.5 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Selma is $33,197. This is 48% lower than the state median of $63,999. It is also 59% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.8%. This is 97% 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 14.0%. This is 198% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $96,500. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $209,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Selma is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 70.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Selma is Black or African American, making up 82.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 14.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (14.8%) is well below the state average of 63.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (82.5% vs 25.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.6%.
Education
19.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% lower than the state rate of 28.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Selma, Alabama is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alabama state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 592 Census-designated places in Alabama. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Selma, Alabama?
Selma, Alabama has a population of 17,057 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Selma, AL?
The median household income in Selma is $33,197, which is 59% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Selma, AL?
The poverty rate in Selma is 30.8%. This means approximately 5,154 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Selma, Alabama?
Selma's population is 14.8% White, 82.5% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Selma, AL?
The median home value in Selma is $96,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Selma, Alabama?
19.9% of adults (25+) in Selma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.