Selma

About Selma

Selma is a city in and the county seat of Dallas County, in the Black Belt region of south central Alabama and extending to the west. Located on the banks of the Alabama River, the city has a population of 17,971 as of the 2020 census. About 80% of the population is African-American.

Selma was a trading center and market town during the antebellum years of King Cotton in the South. It was also an important armaments-manufacturing and iron shipbuilding center for the Confederacy, as well as providing a hospital converted from a Masonic university, during the Civil War, surrounded by miles of earthen fortifications. The Confederate forces were defeated during the Battle of Selma, in the final full month of the war.

In modern times, the city is best known for the 1960s civil rights movement and the Selma to Montgomery marches, beginning with "Bloody Sunday" in March 1965, when unarmed peaceful protesters were assaulted by county and state highway police.

By the end of March 1965, an estimated 25,000 people entered Montgomery to press for voting rights. This activism generated national attention for social justice. That summer, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed by Congress to authorize federal oversight and enforcement of constitutional rights of all American citizens.

Due to agriculture and industry decline, Selma has lost about a third of its peak population since the 1960s. The city is focusing on heritage tourism, to build on its role as a major influence in civil rights and desegregation.

Selma is one of Alabama's poorest cities, with an average income of $35,500, which is 30% less than the state average. One in every three residents in Selma lives below the state poverty line.

Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Selma weather: 7-day forecast

Source: National Weather Service (NOAA).

Nearest webcams to Selma

There are no webcams in Selma itself. These are the closest, 43 miles away or more.

Webcams: Windy.com

Living in Selma

Median household income

$33,197

Median home value

$96,500

Median rent

$713/mo

Median age

38.5

Map of Selma

Tap any street on the map to see it in Street View below. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Selma Street View

Drag the image to look around and tap the arrows on the ground to move. If it says there is no imagery, tap a nearby street on the map above.

Selma, AL population

Selma had 17,971 residents in the 2020 Census.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.

Selma at a glance

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.

Towns near Selma

• Selmont-West Selmont3.2 mi SE
• Valley Grande4.8 mi N
• Orrville14.4 mi SW
• Benton14.8 mi SE
• White Hall20.4 mi SE
• Autaugaville21.9 mi E
• Marion22.1 mi NW
• Billingsley25.7 mi NE
• Mosses26.1 mi SE
• Gordonville26.3 mi SE
• Uniontown26.4 mi W
• Lowndesboro26.6 mi E

Straight-line distance between town centers.

Frequently asked questions about Selma