Selma, North Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Selma, North Carolina
Town
Downtown Selma
Flag Seal Logo
Motto(s):  "The Crossroads of Tradition and Innovation"
Location of Selma, North Carolina
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)
• 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
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.

Selma's Story: A Railroad Town's History

A CSX freight train passes the Selma Union Depot

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

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.

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