Selma, North Carolina

Selma, North Carolina
—  Town  —
Motto: Pickles dont eat themselves you know!
Location of Selma, North Carolina
Coordinates:
Country United States
State North Carolina
County Johnston
Government
 • Mayor Charles E. Hester
Area
 • Total 3.2 sq mi (8.4 km2)
 • Land 3.2 sq mi (8.4 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation 174 ft (53 m)
Population (2007)
 • Total 7,008
 • Density 1,830.6/sq mi (706.8/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 27576
Area code(s) 919
FIPS code 37-60320[1]
GNIS feature ID 1022539[2]
Website www.selma-nc.com

Selma is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2007, the estimated population was 7,008.[3] Selma is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.

Contents

Geography

Selma is located at (35.536982, -78.284642)[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 5,914 people, 2,254 households, and 1,480 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,830.6 people per square mile (706.9/km²). There were 2,515 housing units at an average density of 778.5 per square mile (300.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 47.09% White, 40.33% Black, 0.57% Indian, 0.19% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 9.89% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 19.02% of the population.

There were 2,254 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 21.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the town the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,856 and the median income for a family was $32,430. Males had a median income of $26,886 versus $21,453 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,101. About 23.1% of families and 30.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.9% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of those age 65 or over.

History

On May 1, 1867, lots were sold around a newly established station on the North Carolina Railroad. From those lots, the town was built and considered a railroad town for many decades. Selma was officially chartered as a town on February 11, 1873. The town recently renovated its 1924 passenger depot, which has Amtrak service. The town is also home to the Mitchener Station, which was built in 1855 and thought to be the oldest surviving train station in North Carolina. After Interstate 95 was built in the late 1950s, the town experienced growth due to its location next to the interstate. Today, there are many hotels and restaurants located in the area thanks to the traffic from I-95.

Education

Notable residents

References

External links