Selma, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Selma, North Carolina had a total population of 6,817, the 136th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $41,368, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 6,611 | 6,817 | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $37,440 | $41,368 | +10.5% |
| Median home value | $161,100 | $171,600 | +6.5% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Selma Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Johnston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithfield | 12,116 | $43,270 | 27.4% | $242,500 |
| Archer Lodge | 5,186 | $91,188 | 17.4% | $324,500 |
| Benson | 4,282 | $67,102 | 14.4% | $279,800 |
| Wilson's Mills | 2,753 | $62,813 | 31.9% | $241,800 |
| Four Oaks | 2,459 | $72,826 | 15.3% | $253,700 |
| Kenly | 2,359 | $57,045 | 14.4% | $205,200 |
| Pine Level | 2,031 | $75,263 | 8.0% | $221,000 |
| Princeton | 1,658 | $45,500 | 9.7% | $215,400 |
| Micro | 573 | $44,531 | 22.9% | $170,700 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamlet | 5,961 | $41,590 | $112,600 | 15.5% | 21.6% |
| Forest City | 7,363 | $35,524 | $160,800 | 14.7% | 32.1% |
| Angier | 6,241 | $52,214 | $268,200 | 32.0% | 10.6% |
| Marion | 7,579 | $51,314 | $163,500 | 15.6% | 23.5% |
| Siler City | 7,995 | $46,566 | $154,600 | 16.8% | 33.9% |
Population Overview
Selma is a small city located in North Carolina, within Johnston County. The total population is 6,817. It ranks as the 136th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Selma is 34.1 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Selma is $41,368. This is 43% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.7%. This is 90% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 4.9%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $171,600. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 43.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Selma is Black or African American, making up 45.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 25.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (25.8%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.3% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (23.3% vs 11.3%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
13.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Selma, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Selma, North Carolina?
Selma, North Carolina has a population of 6,817 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Selma, NC?
The median household income in Selma is $41,368, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Selma, NC?
The poverty rate in Selma is 24.7%. This means approximately 1,684 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Selma, North Carolina?
Selma's population is 25.8% White, 45.3% Black, 23.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Selma, NC?
The median home value in Selma is $171,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Selma, North Carolina?
13.8% of adults (25+) in Selma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.