Selma, California Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Selma, California had a total population of 24,659, the 310th largest city in California, with a median household income of $60,241, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 10.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.3% is notably above the national average.
Selma Quick Facts
How Selma Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,675 | 24,659 | No clear change (-0.1%) |
| Median household income | $50,231 | $60,241 | +19.9% |
| Median home value¹ | $229,281 | $315,300 | +37.5% |
| Median gross rent | $1,106 | $1,232 | No clear change (+11.4%) |
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
- White: 9.6%
- Black: 0.8%
- Hispanic: 83.0%
- Asian: 3.6%
- Other: 1.7%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 30.3%
- HS Diploma: 24.9%
- Some College: 23.9%
- Associate's: 10.8%
- Bachelor's: 6.7%
- Graduate+: 3.3%
Selma Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Fresno County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno | 545,970 | $70,991 | 20.1% | $374,800 |
| Clovis | 124,725 | $99,241 | 8.0% | $482,700 |
| Sanger | 26,699 | $77,500 | 15.8% | $364,800 |
| Reedley | 25,609 | $63,307 | 22.3% | $334,800 |
| Coalinga | 17,203 | $75,451 | 21.7% | $262,400 |
| Kerman | 16,815 | $59,799 | 21.3% | $370,900 |
| Parlier | 14,507 | $52,357 | 27.1% | $256,400 |
| Kingsburg | 12,755 | $76,913 | 10.8% | $373,800 |
| Mendota | 12,577 | $50,342 | 27.5% | $281,000 |
| Orange Cove | 9,695 | $46,629 | 34.0% | $254,000 |
Cities Similar to Selma
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
Population Overview
Selma is a small city located in California, within Fresno County. The total population is 24,659. It ranks as the 310th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Selma is 32.9 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Selma is $60,241. This is 39% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.0%. This is 58% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 13.3%. This is 101% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $315,300. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 60.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Selma is Hispanic or Latino, making up 83.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 9.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.6%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (83.0% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
10.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 69.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Selma, California 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 California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. 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, California?
Selma, California has a population of 24,659 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Selma, CA?
The median household income in Selma is $60,241, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Selma, CA?
The poverty rate in Selma is 19.0%. This means approximately 4,636 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Selma, California?
Selma's population is 9.6% White, 0.8% Black, 83.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Selma, CA?
The median home value in Selma is $315,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Selma, California?
10.0% of adults (25+) in Selma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.