Selma city, California Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Selma city, California has a total population of 24,586, the 308th largest city in California, with a median household income of $55,839, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 12.3% 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: 69 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Selma city Rankings in California
Explore California 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maywood city | 24,593 | $61,655 | $595,000 | 8.2% | 18.6% |
| Dinuba city | 25,201 | $59,048 | $267,300 | 13.6% | 28.1% |
| Barstow city | 25,198 | $51,811 | $222,600 | 11.1% | 23.2% |
| Wasco city | 26,222 | $55,521 | $251,900 | 7.4% | 19.1% |
| Corcoran city | 22,626 | $55,909 | $220,500 | 3.2% | 23.8% |
Population Overview
Selma city is a small city located in California. The total population is 24,586. It ranks as the 308th most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Selma city is 33.3 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Selma city is $55,839. This is 42% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.8%. This is 66% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 12.3%. This is 92% higher than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $288,700. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 59.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 55.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Selma city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 82.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 11.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (11.2%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (82.4% vs 39.8%). The Asian population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.
Education
11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 71.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Selma city, California 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 California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Selma city, California?
Selma city, California has a population of 24,586 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Selma city, CA?
The median household income in Selma city is $55,839, which is 29% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Selma city, CA?
The poverty rate in Selma city is 19.8%. This means approximately 4,829 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Selma city, California?
Selma city's population is 11.2% White, 0.8% Black, 82.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Selma city, CA?
The median home value in Selma city is $288,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Selma city, California?
11.3% of adults (25+) in Selma city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.