Living in Selma, Alabama
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Selma · Census data 2020–2024
Selma has 17,057 residents with a median age of 38.5. The median household income is $33,197 (48% lower than the Alabama median), the median home value is $96,500, the median rent is $713/month.
Selma at a glance
- Population
- 17,057
- Median age
- 38.5State: 39.3
- Median household income
- $33,197State: $63,999
- Median home value
- $96,500State: $209,900
- Median rent
- $713/moState: $1,007
- Homeowners
- 46%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19.9%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Selma a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 54% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 48% lower than the Alabama median; unemployment of 14%; a poverty rate of 30.8%.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Selma
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Selma the median home value is $96,500, 71% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $713 per month, which is 39.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,106 a month in housing costs.
Selma median household income
The median household income in Selma is $33,197 and the income per person is $25,156. 30.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Alabama: 15.6%).
Housing in Selma: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,431
- Owner-occupied
- 46%
- Renter-occupied
- 54%
- Vacant
- 15.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1971
- Average household size
- 2.09
Selma demographics
- Population
- 17,057
- Median age
- 38.5
- Under 18
- 24.3%
- 65 and older
- 18.7%
- Households
- 7,974
- Foreign-born
- 3.4%
- Veterans
- 5.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Selma ›
Education in Selma
19.9% of adults 25 and older in Selma have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alabama: 28.4%), and 7.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Selma
- Unemployment rate
- 14%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 6.8%
- Drive alone
- 78.7%
- Public transit
- 1.2%
- Walk to work
- 2%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.1%
Selma vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selma | 17,057 | $33,197 | $96,500 | $713 |
| Selmont-West Selmont | 2,150 | $32,443 | $69,000 | $493 |
| Valley Grande | 4,047 | $58,929 | $133,100 | $761 |
| White Hall | 875 | $34,375 | — | $877 |
| Autaugaville | 809 | $49,643 | $144,000 | $383 |
| Marion | 2,886 | $35,842 | $108,700 | $588 |
| Billingsley | 115 | $44,479 | $113,900 | — |
| Mosses | 836 | $26,568 | $66,500 | $528 |
| Gordonville | 275 | $41,528 | $68,100 | — |
More for people moving to Selma
Selma ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Selma: FAQ
What is the median household income in Selma, AL?
The median household income in Selma is $33,197, 48% lower than the Alabama median of $63,999 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Selma?
The median home value in Selma is $96,500, compared with $209,900 in Alabama.
How much is rent in Selma?
The median gross rent in Selma is $713 per month, about 39.7% of household income.
Is Selma, AL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 54% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes. Minuses: median household income 48% lower than the Alabama median; unemployment of 14%; a poverty rate of 30.8%.
What is the median age in Selma?
The median age in Selma is 38.5 years (Alabama: 39.3).
How long is the commute in Selma?
The average commute to work in Selma is 25 minutes; 6.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Selma?
The unemployment rate in Selma is 14% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Selma?
19.9% of adults in Selma have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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