Living in Selma, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Selma · Census data 2020–2024
Selma has 6,817 residents with a median age of 34.1. The median household income is $41,368 (43% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $171,600, the median rent is $820/month.
Selma at a glance
- Population
- 6,817
- Median age
- 34.1State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $41,368State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $171,600State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $820/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 43.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13.8%
- Average commute
- 32 min
Is Selma a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 41% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 43% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 32 minutes; unemployment of 4.9%; a poverty rate of 24.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Selma
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Selma the median home value is $171,600, 48% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $820 per month, which is 34.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,393 a month in housing costs.
Selma median household income
The median household income in Selma is $41,368 and the income per person is $24,614. 24.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Selma: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 3,368
- Owner-occupied
- 43.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 56.9%
- Vacant
- 9.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 2.24
Selma demographics
- Population
- 6,817
- Median age
- 34.1
- Under 18
- 20.9%
- 65 and older
- 15.7%
- Households
- 3,040
- Foreign-born
- 8%
- Veterans
- 8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Selma ›
Education in Selma
13.8% of adults 25 and older in Selma have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 3.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Selma
- Unemployment rate
- 4.9%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 32 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 8.4%
- Drive alone
- 80.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.4%
Selma vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selma | 6,817 | $41,368 | $171,600 | $820 |
| Pine Level | 2,031 | $75,263 | $221,000 | $804 |
| Smithfield | 12,116 | $43,270 | $242,500 | $658 |
| Wilson's Mills | 2,753 | $62,813 | $241,800 | $1,021 |
| Micro | 573 | $44,531 | $170,700 | $917 |
| Princeton | 1,658 | $45,500 | $215,400 | $690 |
| Four Oaks | 2,459 | $72,826 | $253,700 | $1,081 |
| Kenly | 2,359 | $57,045 | $205,200 | $787 |
| Archer Lodge | 5,186 | $91,188 | $324,500 | $1,458 |
More for people moving to Selma
Selma ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Selma: FAQ
What is the median household income in Selma, NC?
The median household income in Selma is $41,368, 43% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (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 $171,600, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Selma?
The median gross rent in Selma is $820 per month, about 34.5% of household income.
Is Selma, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 41% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 43% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 32 minutes; unemployment of 4.9%; a poverty rate of 24.7%.
What is the median age in Selma?
The median age in Selma is 34.1 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Selma?
The average commute to work in Selma is 32 minutes; 8.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Selma?
The unemployment rate in Selma is 4.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Selma?
13.8% 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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