Selma, NC Demographics

A map of Selma's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Black	3,090	2,271	45.3%	36.0%
White	1,757	1,400	25.8%	22.2%
Hispanic	1,590	2,381	23.3%	37.7%
Native American/Other	175	25	2.6%	0.4%
Multiracial	165	207	2.4%	3.3%
Asian	40	33	0.6%	0.5%

Selma, North Carolina has an estimated population of 6,817, an increase from the 6,317 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 45.3% Black, 25.8% White, 23.3% Hispanic, 2.6% Native American/Other, 2.4% Multiracial, and 0.6% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Selma, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Selma has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Selma, that probability was 67.8% in 2020 and 67.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Selma is ranked the 136th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Selma was ranked the 138th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Selma's White Population

1,757 residents of Selma, or 25.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Selma is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Selma ranks 738th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Selma's White population has grown by an estimated 25.5%. White residents' share of Selma's population has increased from 22.2% to 25.8%.

Selma is less White than neighboring Pine Level (70.1% White), Smithfield (59.5% White), Wilson's Mills (33.6% White), Micro (58.6% White), and Princeton (55.1% White).

Selma's Black Population

3,090 residents of Selma, or 45.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Selma is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Selma ranks 149th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Selma's Black population has grown by an estimated 36.1%. Black residents' share of Selma's population has increased from 36.0% to 45.3%.

Selma is more Black than neighboring Pine Level (6.1% Black), Smithfield (23.1% Black), Wilson's Mills (17.7% Black), Micro (13.8% Black), and Princeton (12.4% Black).

Selma's Asian Population

40 residents of Selma, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Selma is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Selma ranks 444th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Selma's Asian population has grown by an estimated 21.2%. Asian residents' share of Selma's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Selma is more Asian than neighboring Pine Level (0% Asian), Micro (0% Asian), and Princeton (0.4% Asian). Selma is less Asian than neighboring Smithfield (1.9% Asian), and Wilson's Mills (0.9% Asian).

Selma's Hispanic Population

1,590 residents of Selma, or 23.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Selma is considerably higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Selma ranks 10th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Selma's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 33.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Selma's population has decreased from 37.7% to 23.3%.

Selma is more Hispanic than neighboring Pine Level (13.6% Hispanic), and Smithfield (13.8% Hispanic). Selma is less Hispanic than neighboring Wilson's Mills (43% Hispanic), Micro (24.1% Hispanic), and Princeton (28.6% Hispanic).

Selma's Native American/Other Population

175 residents of Selma, or 2.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Selma is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Selma ranks 628th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Selma's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 600.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Selma's population has increased from 0.4% to 2.6%.

Selma is more Native American/Other than neighboring Pine Level (0% Native American/Other), Smithfield (0.4% Native American/Other), Wilson's Mills (0.1% Native American/Other), Micro (0.9% Native American/Other), and Princeton (0% Native American/Other).

Selma's Multiracial Population

165 residents of Selma, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Selma is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Selma ranks 499th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Selma's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 20.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Selma's population has decreased from 3.3% to 2.4%.

Selma is more Multiracial than neighboring Smithfield (1.4% Multiracial). Selma is less Multiracial than neighboring Pine Level (10.2% Multiracial), Wilson's Mills (4.8% Multiracial), Micro (2.6% Multiracial), and Princeton (3.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.