Selma, North Carolina Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Selma, North Carolina

Downtown Selma

Flag	Seal
Logo

Motto(s):

"The Crossroads of Tradition and Innovation"

Location of Selma, North Carolina

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 2010, the population was 6,073, and as of 2018 the estimated population was 6,913. Selma is part of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary Combined Statistical Area. The area has a population over 1.7 million residents, though the town of Selma is able to maintain its rural character. The Everitt P. Stevens House, located in Selma, was the site of the last Grand Review of the Confederate Army held on April 6, 1865, after its defeat at the Battle of Bentonville.

History

A CSX freight train passes the Selma Union Depot

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 is 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.

The Downtown Selma Historic District, Noah Edward Edgerton House, Richard B. Harrison School, Nowell-Mayerburg-Oliver House, William E. Smith House, Everitt P. Stevens House, Selma Union Depot, and West Selma Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Selma is located in central Johnston County and is bordered to the southwest by Smithfield, the county seat, and to the northwest by Wilson's Mills.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Selma has a total area of 4.9 square miles (12.6 km²), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
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

2020 census

Selma racial composition
Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	1,400	22.16%
Black or African American (non-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%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,317 people, 2,311 households, and 1,480 families residing in the town.

Religion

Approximately 36% of people in Selma are affiliated with a religion. The predominant religion in Selma is Christianity, with the largest numbers of adherents being Baptist (15.64%) and Methodist (6.02%). Others include Pentecostal (4.02%), Roman Catholic (2.52%) and Presbyterian (1.46%).

Transportation

Air

Johnston County Airport is a general aviation airport located approximately seven miles west of Selma, in Smithfield.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is the region's primary airport, located approximately 40 miles northwest of Selma, between Raleigh and Durham.

Designated routes and highways

Interstate Highway
- Future I-42
- I-95
U.S. Highways:
- US 70
- US 301 (named Pollock Street)
North Carolina Highways:
- NC 39
- NC 96

Interstate 95 runs along the southern edge of the town, with access from Exit 97 (U.S. Route 70) and Exit 98 (Pine Level–Selma Road). I-95 leads northeast 44 miles (71 km) to Rocky Mount and southwest 51 miles (82 km) to Fayetteville. U.S. Route 301 (Pollock Street) runs through the center of Selma, leading northeast 25 miles (40 km) to Wilson and southwest 4 miles (6 km) to the center of Smithfield. US 70 runs along the southwestern edge of Selma, leading northwest 31 miles (50 km) to Raleigh and southeast 21 miles (34 km) to Goldsboro. North Carolina Highway 96 leads north from the center of Selma 21 miles (34 km) to Zebulon.

Passenger rail service

Amtrak's Palmetto and Carolinian passenger trains stop at the historic Selma Union Depot. They offer service to Charlotte, New York City, Savannah, and intermediate points.

Commercial rail service

CSX Transportation
Norfolk Southern Railway

Public transit

The Johnston County Area Transit System (JCATS) is a coordinated transit system that provides transportation services in Selma and throughout Johnston County.

Education

Selma is home to two schools within the Johnston County School District:

Selma Elementary School
Selma Middle School

Mitchner University Academy is a private, non-traditional school offering K-12 education.

Culture

Museums

Historic Union Station
Max G. Creech Selma Historical Museum

Media

Television

Selma is part of the Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville Designated Market Area. The following station has broadcast facilities in the city:

WNGT-CD

Newspapers

There are several newspapers and periodicals serving the city:

The News & Observer, daily
Johnstonian News, weekly

Radio stations

Selma is part of the Raleigh-Durham Arbitron radio market. The following stations transmit from the city:

WTSB (1090 AM)

Notable people

Myrtle Cagle, pilot and member of Mercury 13 female astronaut program
Seby B. Jones, former mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina
Drique London (born Madrique Sanders), rapper and hip hop artist
Lunsford Richardson, founder of the Vick Chemical Company, maker of cold remedies such as Vicks Cough Drops

Selma, North Carolina facts for kids

Contents