Selma, Alabama
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| Selma, Alabama | |
|---|---|
| Name | Selma |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | Queen City of the Black Belt |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Alabama |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Dallas |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1815 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated |
| Established date2 | 1820 |
| Government type | Mayor–Council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | James Perkins Jr. |
| Unit pref | Imperial |
| Area total km2 | 37.42 |
| Area total sq mi | 14.45 |
| Area land km2 | 36.25 |
| Area land sq mi | 14.00 |
| Area water km2 | 1.17 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.45 |
| Elevation m | 38 |
| Elevation ft | 125 |
| Population total | 17471 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | 481.96 |
| Population density sq mi | 1248.00 |
| Timezone | Central (CST) |
| Utc offset | -6 |
| Timezone DST | CDT |
| Utc offset DST | -5 |
| Coordinates | 32, 24, 26, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 36701–36703 |
| Area code | 334 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 01-69120 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0163660 |
| Website | www.selma-al.gov |
Selma, Alabama. A historic city and the county seat of Dallas County, Alabama, Selma is renowned as a pivotal site in the American Civil Rights Movement. Strategically located on the high banks of the Alabama River, it grew as a market and manufacturing center for the agricultural Black Belt region. The city's legacy is profoundly shaped by the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, which were instrumental in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
History
The area was historically inhabited by the Alabama and Coushatta peoples before European American settlement. Founded in 1815 by William R. King, future Vice President of the United States, and named from Ossian's poem "The Songs of Selma," it was incorporated in 1820. Selma became a major Confederate manufacturing and supply depot during the American Civil War, leading to its capture and burning by Union Army troops under James H. Wilson in the 1865 Battle of Selma. The late 19th and early 20th centuries were defined by cotton agriculture and the imposition of Jim Crow laws. The modern historical significance of Selma is anchored in the voting rights campaigns organized by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, culminating in the "Bloody Sunday" confrontation at the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965, which galvanized national support for civil rights legislation.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.45 square miles, of which 14.00 square miles is land and 0.45 square miles is water. Selma is situated within the Gulf Coastal Plain on the south bank of the meandering Alabama River, which provides a defining geographic feature. The city's topography is generally flat to gently rolling, characteristic of the Black Belt prairie. Major waterways besides the Alabama River include Valley Creek, and the city is located approximately 50 miles west of the state capital, Montgomery.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, Selma had a population of 17,471, representing a decline from previous decades. The racial makeup of the city is predominantly African American (82.7%), with White (14.8%), Hispanic or Latino (1.1%), and Asian (0.5%) residents comprising smaller shares. The population density was approximately 1,248 people per square mile. Selma has a high poverty rate relative to state and national averages, and the median household income is significantly below that of Alabama. A large proportion of housing units were built before 1960, reflecting the city's historic architectural stock.
Economy
Historically dominated by agriculture and related agribusiness, Selma's economy has diversified but remains challenged. Major employers include the Revere Copper Products industrial plant, the Selma City School System, and the Vaughan Regional Medical Center. The United States Department of Defense operates Craig Field as an industrial and aviation park. Retail trade and health care are significant sectors, with tourism related to civil rights heritage playing an increasingly important role. The city serves as a commercial hub for the surrounding rural counties in the Black Belt.
Culture and landmarks
Selma is a central destination for civil rights tourism. The National Park Service manages the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, which begins at the iconic Edmund Pettus Bridge. Key cultural institutions include the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute and the Selma Interpretive Center. Historic sites span from antebellum structures like Sturdivant Hall to the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, a headquarters for the 1965 marches. The city hosts annual events such as the Selma Pilgrimage and the Bridge Crossing Jubilee commemorating the marches. Artistic expression is supported by the Selma Art Guild and performances at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.
Government
Selma operates under a mayor–council system. The mayor, James Perkins Jr., serves as the chief executive, while the nine-member Selma City Council acts as the legislative body. The city government provides essential services including police through the Selma Police Department, fire protection via the Selma Fire Department, and public utilities. As the county seat, it houses the Dallas County Courthouse and other county administrative offices. Selma is part of Alabama's 7th congressional district, represented in the United States House of Representatives by Terri Sewell.
Category:Cities in Alabama Category:Dallas County, Alabama Category:County seats in Alabama