Selma, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Selma, North Carolina
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![]() Downtown Selma
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Motto(s):
"The Crossroads of Tradition and Innovation"
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Location of Selma, North Carolina
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Country | United States | ||||
State | North Carolina | ||||
County | Johnston | ||||
Chartered | February 11, 1873 | ||||
Named for | Selma, Alabama | ||||
Government | |||||
• Type | Council–manager | ||||
Area | |||||
• Total | 5.40 sq mi (14.00 km2) | ||||
• Land | 5.40 sq mi (14.00 km2) | ||||
• Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | ||||
Elevation | 164 ft (50 m) | ||||
Population
(2020)
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• Total | 6,317 | ||||
• Density | 1,168.95/sq mi (451.33/km2) | ||||
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||||
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||||
ZIP code |
27576
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Area code(s) | 919 | ||||
FIPS code | 37-60320 | ||||
GNIS feature ID | 2407310 |
Selma is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2020, about 6,317 people lived there. Selma is part of a larger area called the Raleigh-Durham-Cary Combined Statistical Area. This bigger area has over 1.7 million people. Even so, Selma keeps its small-town feel.
A famous event happened in Selma. The Everitt P. Stevens House was the place where the Confederate Army had its last big meeting on April 6, 1865. This was after they lost the Battle of Bentonville.
Contents
- Selma's Story: A Railroad Town's History
- Where is Selma? Geography and Location
- Who Lives in Selma? Population and People
- Getting Around: Transportation in Selma
- Learning in Selma: Schools and Education
- Fun in Selma: Culture and Museums
- News and Entertainment: Media in Selma
- Famous Faces: Notable People from Selma
- See also
Selma's Story: A Railroad Town's History
Selma started on May 1, 1867. People bought land around a new train station. The town grew from these land sales. For many years, Selma was known as a "railroad town."
Selma officially became a town on February 11, 1873. The town recently fixed up its passenger train station from 1924. This station still has Amtrak train service today. Selma also has the Mitchener Station, built in 1855. It is thought to be the oldest train station still standing in North Carolina.
In the late 1950s, Interstate 95 was built. This highway helped Selma grow because it brought more people and businesses. Now, many hotels and restaurants are in the area. They serve travelers using I-95.
Several historic places in Selma are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Downtown Selma Historic District, the Noah Edward Edgerton House, and the Selma Union Depot.
Where is Selma? Geography and Location
Selma is in the middle of Johnston County. To the southwest, it shares a border with Smithfield, which is the main town of the county. To the northwest, it borders Wilson's Mills.
The United States Census Bureau says that Selma covers about 5.4 square miles (14.0 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the town limits.
Who Lives in Selma? Population and People
Historical population | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1880 | 256 | — | |
1890 | 527 | 105.9% | |
1900 | 816 | 54.8% | |
1910 | 1,331 | 63.1% | |
1920 | 1,601 | 20.3% | |
1930 | 1,857 | 16.0% | |
1940 | 2,007 | 8.1% | |
1950 | 2,639 | 31.5% | |
1960 | 3,102 | 17.5% | |
1970 | 4,356 | 40.4% | |
1980 | 4,762 | 9.3% | |
1990 | 4,600 | −3.4% | |
2000 | 5,914 | 28.6% | |
2010 | 6,073 | 2.7% | |
2020 | 6,317 | 4.0% | |
U.S. Decennial Census |
Selma's Population in 2020
In 2020, there were 6,317 people living in Selma. These people lived in 2,311 households. About 1,480 families called Selma home.
Group | Number | Percentage |
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White (not Hispanic) | 1,400 | 22.16% |
Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 2,271 | 35.95% |
Native American | 7 | 0.11% |
Asian | 33 | 0.52% |
Other/Mixed | 225 | 3.56% |
Hispanic or Latino | 2,381 | 37.69% |
Religion in Selma
About 36% of people in Selma follow a religion. Most people in Selma are Christian. The largest groups are Baptist and Methodist. Other groups include Pentecostal, Roman Catholic, and Presbyterian.
Getting Around: Transportation in Selma
Air Travel
- Johnston County Airport: This airport is for smaller planes. It is about seven miles west of Selma.
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport: This is the main airport for the region. It is about 40 miles northwest of Selma.
Roads and Highways
Selma is connected by several important roads:
- Interstate Highways:
Future I-42
I-95
- U.S. Highways:
US 70
US 301 (also called Pollock Street)
- North Carolina Highways:
NC 39
NC 96
Interstate 95 runs along the southern edge of Selma. You can get on I-95 from Exit 97 (U.S. Route 70) and Exit 98 (Pine Level–Selma Road). I-95 goes northeast to Rocky Mount and southwest to Fayetteville.
U.S. Route 301 goes through the center of Selma. It leads northeast to Wilson and southwest to Smithfield. U.S. Route 70 is on the southwestern edge of Selma. It goes northwest to Raleigh and southeast to Goldsboro. North Carolina Highway 96 goes north from Selma to Zebulon.
Train Service for People
Amtrak passenger trains, the Palmetto and Carolinian, stop at the historic Selma Union Depot. These trains can take you to places like Charlotte, New York City, and Savannah.
Train Service for Goods
Two major companies use trains to move goods through Selma:
- CSX Transportation
- Norfolk Southern Railway
Local Bus Service
The Johnston County Area Transit System (JCATS) provides bus services. It helps people get around Selma and all of Johnston County.
Learning in Selma: Schools and Education
Selma has two schools that are part of the Johnston County School District:
- Selma Elementary School
- Selma Middle School
Mitchner University Academy is a private school. It offers education for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Fun in Selma: Culture and Museums
Museums to Visit
- Historic Union Station: Learn about the history of trains and the station.
- Max G. Creech Selma Historical Museum: Discover the history of Selma and its people.
News and Entertainment: Media in Selma
Television
Selma is part of the Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville TV market. One TV station has its broadcast facilities in Selma:
- WNGT-CD
Newspapers
You can read about Selma in these newspapers:
- The News & Observer: A daily newspaper.
- Johnstonian News: A weekly newspaper.
Radio Stations
Selma is part of the Raleigh-Durham radio market. One radio station broadcasts from Selma:
- WTSB (1090 AM)
Famous Faces: Notable People from Selma
- Myrtle Cagle: A pilot who was part of the Mercury 13 female astronaut program.
- Seby B. Jones: A former mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Drique London (born Madrique Sanders): A rapper and hip hop artist.
- Lunsford Richardson: He started the Vick Chemical Company, which makes cold medicines like Vicks Cough Drops.
See also
In Spanish: Selma (Carolina del Norte) para niños