Selma, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Selma, Virginia had a total population of 146, the 601st largest community in Virginia. The poverty rate is 34.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
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 | 333 | 146 | -56.2% |
| Median home value | $96,900 | $93,100 | -3.9% |
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Selma Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Alleghany County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton Forge | 3,447 | $40,000 | 15.1% | $109,500 |
| Mallow | 537 | $50,347 | 7.1% | $110,100 |
| Low Moor | 430 | $44,900 | 14.2% | $99,000 |
| Iron Gate | 426 | $70,000 | 10.4% | $84,600 |
| Callaghan | 198 | $74,271 | 10.1% | $141,700 |
| Cliftondale Park | 86 | $53,241 | 9.3% | $109,300 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Branchville | 146 | N/A | $155,200 | 8.2% | 0.0% |
| Capron | 148 | $73,333 | $187,500 | 16.2% | 10.1% |
| Stevens Creek | 148 | N/A | $43,500 | 9.7% | 48.0% |
| Stickleyville | 143 | N/A | $130,100 | 22.9% | 32.2% |
| Union Level | 143 | N/A | $153,900 | 0.0% | 19.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 146, Selma's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Selma is a small community located in Virginia, within Alleghany County. The total population is 146. It ranks as the 601st most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Selma is 45.4 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 11.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 34.3%. This is 246% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Selma, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $93,100. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $383,700. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 49% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Selma was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Selma, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. 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, Virginia?
Selma, Virginia has a population of 146 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Selma, VA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Selma — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Selma, VA?
The poverty rate in Selma is 34.3%. This means approximately 50 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Selma, Virginia?
Selma's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Selma, VA?
The median home value in Selma is $93,100.
How educated is Selma, Virginia?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Selma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.