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 (planned) |
| FIPS code | 48-66704 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411864 |
Selma is a city in Texas that spreads across three counties: Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe. It's part of the larger San Antonio area. In 2020, about 10,952 people lived there. This was a big jump from 5,540 people in 2010! Selma 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
History of Selma
Selma was first settled in 1847 by people who came from different countries in Europe. The name Selma is a traditional German girl's name.
Early Days and Stagecoaches
In 1849, a special stop for stagecoaches was built in Selma. This stop, called Harrison and Brown, helped passengers and goods traveling between San Antonio and Austin. John Harrison and his wife, Martha, moved to Selma in 1852. John became the town's first postmaster when a post office opened in 1856. He also helped run a postal route through Selma with his stage line. John Harrison's old house is still standing by Cibolo Creek. It is even listed in the National Register of Historic Places because it's so important to history.
Growth and Change Over Time
Many more people from Germany and Poland moved to Selma after the first settlers. By 1885, about 145 people lived there. At the start of the 1900s, the population grew to 600. But then, the number of people living in Selma dropped a lot. By 1906, the post office even closed! In 1940, only 100 people lived in Selma.
The city officially became a city in 1964. Since 2000, Selma has grown a lot, especially along the Interstate 35 highway.
Modern Selma Developments
The Retama Racing Park, a place for horse racing, opened in 1995. A large outdoor shopping center called The Forum, with 110 shops, 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 town near San Antonio. It still keeps its German and European history alive. Many people whose families came from Europe still live there.
Where is Selma Located?
Selma is unique because it's located in three different counties: Guadalupe, Bexar, and Comal. The main part of the city is in northern Bexar County. However, the City Hall building is actually in Guadalupe County, right across the border from the city center.
Neighboring Cities
Selma is surrounded by other towns. To the east, you'll find Schertz. To the south is Universal City. Live Oak is to the southwest, and part of San Antonio is to the northwest. Selma is about 18 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio. It's also about 13 miles southwest of New Braunfels.
Highways and Area
The major highway, Interstate 35, runs through the southern part of Selma. You can get on or off the highway using exits 173 and 174.
The city covers a total area of about 13.1 square kilometers (about 5 square miles). Only a very small part of this area, about 0.01 square kilometers, is covered by water.
Who Lives in Selma?
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In 2020, there were 10,952 people living in Selma. These people lived in 3,871 households, and 2,728 of those were families.
Population Makeup in 2020
| 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 |
Schools in Selma
Selma is served by different school districts because it's in three counties.
Bexar County Schools
The part of Selma in Bexar County is part of the Judson Independent School District. A new school, Selma Elementary School, is planned to open in 2025.
Comal County Schools
The part of Selma in Comal County belongs to the Comal Independent School District. Students there go to:
- Garden Ridge Elementary School in Garden Ridge
- Danville Middle School
- Davenport High School
Guadalupe County Schools
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
