Selma, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Selma, Texas
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Selma City Hall, February 2014
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Location of Selma, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| Counties | Bexar, Guadalupe, and Comal |
| Incorporated | 1964 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.04 sq mi (13.06 km2) |
| • Land | 5.04 sq mi (13.04 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 758 ft (231 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,952 |
| • Density | 2,210.48/sq mi (853.40/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
78154
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| Area code(s) | 210, 726 |
| FIPS code | 48-66704 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411864 |
Selma is a city in Texas, United States. It is special because it is located in three different counties: Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe. Selma is part of the larger San Antonio area.
In 2020, about 10,952 people lived in Selma. This was a big jump from 5,540 people in 2010! The city was first settled in the mid-1800s by people who came from Germany and Poland.
You can find the Retama Park horse-racing track in Selma.
Contents
The Story of Selma: A Look at Its Past
Selma was founded in 1847 by people who moved there from different countries in Europe. The name "Selma" is a traditional German girl's name.
In 1849, a stagecoach stop was built in Selma. This stop, called Harrison and Brown, helped passengers and goods travel between San Antonio and Austin. John Harrison became Selma's first postmaster in 1856 when the post office opened. His old house, built near Cibolo Creek, is still standing and is a historic landmark.
Many more German and Polish immigrants moved to the area after that. By 1885, Selma had 145 residents. The population grew to 600 around the year 1900. However, the population then dropped a lot, and the post office even closed in 1906. By 1940, only 100 people lived there.
Selma officially became a city in 1964. Since 2000, it has grown a lot, especially along the Interstate 35 highway.
- The Retama Racing Park, a horse-racing track, opened in 1995.
- The Forum, a large outdoor shopping center with 110 stores, opened in 2000.
- The old Harrison and Brown stagecoach stop was fixed up and is now called the Selma Stage Stop. It also has a visitor center and a park.
Today, Selma is a busy suburb of San Antonio. It still keeps its German and European history alive through its name and the families who live there.
Where is Selma? Understanding Its Location
Selma is unique because it stretches across three counties: Guadalupe, Bexar, and Comal. The main part of the city is in northern Bexar County. However, Selma City Hall is actually in Guadalupe County, just across the border from the city center.
Selma is surrounded by other cities:
- Schertz is to the east.
- Universal City is to the south.
- Live Oak is to the southwest.
- Part of San Antonio is to the northwest.
Selma's center is about 18 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio. It is also about 13 miles southwest of New Braunfels.
- The major highway, I-35, goes through the southern part of Selma. You can get on or off the highway at exits 173 and 174.
The city covers about 5.04 square miles of land. Only a very small part, about 0.004 square miles, is water.
Who Lives in Selma? A Look at the Population
Selma has grown quite a bit over the years! Here's how its population has changed:
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In 2020, the census showed that 10,952 people lived in Selma. There were 3,871 households and 2,728 families.
The people living in Selma come from many different backgrounds. In 2020, the population included:
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (NH) | 4,282 | 39.1% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1,193 | 10.89% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 31 | 0.28% |
| Asian (NH) | 490 | 4.47% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 31 | 0.28% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 25 | 0.23% |
| Mixed/multiracial (NH) | 474 | 4.33% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 4,426 | 40.41% |
| Total | 10,952 |
Learning in Selma: Schools and Education
Students in Selma attend different school districts depending on which county they live in.
Schools in Bexar County
The part of Selma in Bexar County is served by the Judson Independent School District. A new school, Selma Elementary School, is planned to open in 2025.
Schools in Comal County
The part of Selma in Comal County is part of the Comal Independent School District. Students here go to:
- Garden Ridge Elementary School in Garden Ridge
- Danville Middle School
- Davenport High School
Schools in Guadalupe County
The part of Selma in Guadalupe County is in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District. In 2018, the schools for this area included:
- Paschal Elementary
- Schertz Elementary
- Wilder Intermediate School
- Corbett Junior High School
- Samuel Clemens High School
There is also a private Catholic school in Selma called Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School. It is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio.
Famous People from Selma
- Kenneth Raymond Fleenor: He was a brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force. He also served as the mayor of Selma from 1987 to 1994.
Images for kids
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Selma City Hall, February 2014
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Location of Selma, Texas
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See also
In Spanish: Selma (Texas) para niños
