Living in Selma TX is wonderful! Several Indigenous peoples inhabited the area of Selma for thousands of years, including the Comanche, Karankawa, and Tonwaka peoples. White settlers arrived in the area in 1847 and almost immediately set up a settlement. Most of the settlers moving to Selma were from Germany. They called the community “Selma,” after a common first name in Germany. In 1849, a railroad station was built in Selma, and Selma became a railroad and postal hub.
The population increased until 1900 and then declined. The state government incorporated Selma TX as a city in 1964. Since 2000, Selma’s population has swelled, thanks to Interstate 35, which runs through the community. Selma is best known for being mentioned in the song “Guitar Town” by Steve Earle.
It’s also a nice place to live, with good schools and great homes for sale. But before you start moving to Selma, you need to learn the facts about living in Selma TX. Here’s what to know about this family-friendly and welcoming community.
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Where Is Selma?
Where is Selma, and what county is Selma TX in? Selma is in three counties: Bexar County, Guadalupe County, and Comal County. It’s in the San Antonio metropolitan area, also known as Greater San Antonio. Selma is also a suburb of San Antonio. It is 18.2 miles from Selma to San Antonio. Selma borders Bracken, Northcliffe, Schertz TX, Universal City, and Live Oak.
Selma does not contain or border any notable geographic features. Western and southern Selma contain mostly cul de sacs with some businesses on its borders. Eastern Selma contains mostly industrial buildings, including auto retailers and fulfillment centers. Most people living in Selma TX are living in the western and southern portions of the city. Alamo Regional Transit (ART) provides limited public transportation services for residents living in Selma TX. ART provides curb-to-curb transportation services in Greater San Antonio, though it does not provide rides to Downtown San Antonio.
Most residents living in and moving to Selma use their cars to get around. Interstate 35 runs through Selma and provides access to the best neighborhoods in San Antonio and suburbs of San Antonio, like Cibolo, TX.
Selma Population and Demographics
According to the Census Bureau, the population of Selma TX in 2020 was 10,952. Selma is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas. The Selma population increased by 51.5% between 1990 and 2000, then by 603% between 2000 and 2010. The Selma population almost doubled between 2010 and 2020. People of all backgrounds are now living in Selma TX. The Selma TX population density is 2,210.5 people per square mile.
Notable people from Selma TX and the surrounding area include Kenneth Raymond Fleenor, Christopher Cross, and Mina Myoui. Selma demographics include:
- 50.6% male, 49.4% female
- Median age: 32.6
- Racial and ethnic composition: 44.4% White (32.3% non-Hispanic), 29.8% Hispanic or Latino, 24.7% Black or African American, 19.9% two or more races, 5.5% Asian, 1.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
- Median household income: $95,962 (roughly 1.3 times higher than the Texas median)
- Educational attainment: 94.5% of residents living in Selma TX over the age of 25 have graduated high school, 41.4% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population: 6.6%
Selma is a family friendly community. Over one-quarter of residents living in Selma TX are under the age of 18, with 10.4% being under the age of 5. Selma has fewer residents older than 25 than the state and national averages. However, it is a hub for veterans. 15.9% of residents living in Selma TX have veteran status. Over 200 residents living in Selma TX are Vietnam War veterans, and over 700 served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Here are the latest crime rates for Selma TX, according to the FBI:
- Total crime rate: 2,952 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Selma TX (8.1% higher than the Texas rate, 27.0% higher than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 220 violent crimes per 100,000 residents living in Selma TX (49.1% lower than the Texas rate, 40.5% lower than the national average)
- Property crime rate: 2,732 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Selma TX (18.8% higher than the Texas rate, 39.8% higher than the national rate)
While the overall crime rate is higher than the national average, most crimes in Selma are non-violent, low-value property crimes. Most residents living in Selma TX never fall victim to crime. The Selma Police Department employs 30 full-time police officers who respond to all emergencies.
Cost of Living in Selma
You can use a few different statistics to estimate the cost of living in Selma. Start with San Antonio cost of living statistics. The San Antonio cost of living index is 91.2, meaning items in the San Antonio metro area cost 8.8% less than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $92,055 a year to cover the cost of living in the San Antonio metro area. You should be able to maintain an affordable cost of living in Selma.
Selma real estate is also affordable, especially if you compare it to a big city. According to Redfin, Selma homes for sale have a median cost of $360,000 with an average cost per square foot of $163. According to RentCafe, Selma apartments have an average cost of $1,293 a month. This is $446 lower than the national average.
Typical Selma* Living Expenses
- 1 gallon of milk: $3.80
- 1 pound of apples: $2.15
- 1 pound of tomatoes: $1.56
- 1 head of lettuce: $1.70
- Average Selma* utilities per month: $220.83
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.06
Source: Numbeo
*Living expenses actually for San Antonio
Selma Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Selma
Selma has only one formal neighborhood. Retama Ridge is in western Selma. The community contains mostly mid-size homes with two or three bedrooms and 2,000-2,500 square feet of space. Nearly all Retama Ridge homes for sale were built since 2000, so you don’t need to make extensive renovations. Many properties have luxurious amenities like open floor plans, covered patios, and breakfast bars. Retama Ridge homes for sale cost around $300,000.
Outside of Retama Ridge, you can find Selma other homes for sale and properties for rent while living in Selma TX. Most homes in Selma are fairly similar to each other, being mid-size properties that were recently built. Retama Ridge homes tend to be single-story properties, but you can find two and three-story homes elsewhere. Prices are around $300,000, though you can buy plots of land for less than $100,000 while living in Selma TX.
Most people buy homes while living in Selma TX. However, Selma contains a few apartment buildings, including Retreat at Chelsea Park. Retreat at Chelsea Park apartments contain one or two bedrooms, making them suitable for singles and couples. Prices for Selma apartments start at $1,090 a month. Community amenities include an outdoor hammock grove, a resort-inspired pool, and a coffee bar.
Selma Weather and Climate
Selma has a humid subtropical climate, with hot and humid summers and short and mild winters. August is the hottest month of the year with an average temperature of 84 degrees and an average high of 95. Temperatures peak in mid-August and decline through the late summer and fall. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 51 degrees and an average low of 43.
Selma weather is relatively sunny throughout the year, so you can enjoy clear and dry weather while living in Selma TX. Each month has at least 50% clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy days. Selma receives an average of 26.8 inches of rain every year. Snow and freezing temperatures only occur on very rare occasions in Selma. The high amount of rain creates humidity in Selma, with nearly all days in the summer feeling muggy, oppressive, or miserable.
Extreme heat can occur on any day in the summer, with heat indexes rising to 110 degrees and higher. Thunderstorms can also occur during the summer, creating high rain and hail. Check the Selma weather forecast while living in Selma TX. If you’re performing outdoor activities in the summer while living in Selma TX, drink plenty of water and stay in the shade.
October is the best month to visit Selma. October is one of the clearest months of the year, with 71% clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy days. October has an average temperature of 70 degrees, so you can remain comfortable in a light jacket and long pants.
Things to Do in Selma
While living in Selma TX, you can enjoy numerous unique things to do in Selma, including top kid-friendly destinations. Ask someone living in Selma TX what to do in Selma, and they’ll tell you to go shopping. Selma is full of great shopping centers like The Forum at Olympia Parkway, which contains a Target and a Ross Dress for Less. Locally run stores in the area include Arlan’s Market, a top grocery store.
Circus Vazquez
Circus Vazquez performs shows throughout the country using performers from all over the world. Shows are family-friendly and include trapeze, music, and dance performances, making them perfect for kids of all ages.
1 Retama Parkway, Selma, TX, 78154, 877-829-7839
Retama Park
Retama Park is the top horse racetrack in the San Antonio area. You can watch and bet on live horse races in the summer, and you can enjoy simulcast racing throughout the year. Retama Park has private facilities you can rent for watch parties and other special occasions.
1 Retama Parkway, Selma, TX, 78154, 210-651-7000
Blue Bonnet Palace
Blue Bonnet Palace is a dance club well known for its live country music performances. You can enjoy performances throughout the year, including festivals with several bands performing throughout the day. The palace has an on-site barbecue restaurant, so you can stay for an entire night.
17630 Lookout Road, Selma, TX, 78154, 210-651-6702
Additional Things to Do in Selma
The City of Selma does not have a formal parks and recreation department. The city takes care of public spaces like Rush Fun Park with support from Bexar County. You can use the Selma city calendar to see when special events like Halloween parties and National Night Out will take place while living in Selma TX.
Selma Restaurants
Living in Selma TX gives you access to many top Selma restaurants. You can enjoy family-friendly experiences while sampling delicious dishes from all over the world.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen offers American comfort food in a kid-friendly setting. You can enjoy steak, fried chicken, ribs, and other classic dishes, including combination platters that let you combine entrees together. Adults can try out a range of fresh cocktails, including margaritas and mules.
15284 I-35 North, Selma, TX, 78154, 210-651-3600
Freebirds World Burrito
Freebirds is a quick-service Mexican restaurant with Texas-inspired ingredients like cauliflower rice and roasted tomatillo sauce. Freebirds is well known for its monster burritos that are over a foot long, making them suitable for multiple meals.
14975 I-35 North #1, Selma, TX, 78154, 210-590-6800
Lin’s International Buffet
Lin’s International Buffet is an all-you-can-eat buffet that serves Chinese, Mongolian, Japanese, Italian, and American food at low prices. Lin’s Buffet offers discounts for military personnel living in Selma TX.
15866 I-35, Selma, TX, 78154, 210-277-0685
Selma Jobs
5,546 people have jobs in Selma, up by 68.5% since 2013. Selma has had a stable job market since the COVID-19 pandemic, unlike other cities near San Antonio. Most people living in Selma TX can find jobs easily. New businesses open in Selma TX on a regular basis, including coffee shops and restaurants. Health care, transportation and warehousing, and retail trade are the three largest job sectors in Selma. Healthcare and retail trade jobs in Selma have median earnings of over $75,000 a year. Top employers in Selma include Costco, Amazon, and FedEx.
According to Payscale, Selma jobs have an average base salary of $77,000 and an average base hourly rate of $14.54. You can use Indeed to research jobs in Selma and apply for City of Selma jobs on the city government’s website while living in Selma TX.
Selma Schools
There is no Selma school district that serves all students living in Selma TX. There are no public schools currently open in the community. However, students have easy access to three districts of public schools in the area. Most students living in Selma TX attend schools in the Schertz-Cibolo-University City Independent School District (SCUC ISD).
The school district contains 11 elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools. US News ranks Byron P. Steele II High School in the top 400 high schools in Texas. The school has a graduation rate of 97%, one of the highest among high schools in Texas.
There are no notable private schools, colleges, or universities in Selma. Selma does not have its own library. The closest public library is the Schertz Public Library in Schertz TX. The library serves all people living in Selma TX.
Selma Statistics and Information
- County: Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe
- Selma area: 5.04 square miles
- Selma zip code: 78154
- Selma area code: 210 and 726
- Selma elevation: 758 feet
- Selma time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
- Closest airport to Selma: San Antonio International Airport (SAT), 12.6 miles from Selma
Selma Map
You can find several parks, amenities, restaurants in Selma TX, and other wonderful features using this Selma map.
Living in Selma TX is absolutely wonderful! You can enjoy a high quality of life and a strong sense of community in this small town. Single family homes for sale are affordable, restaurants are delicious, and stores are just a short drive away.
Moving to Selma isn’t tricky either. 2 College Brothers has a team of top Selma movers with over 14 years of experience in the moving industry. Call 210-874-7010 for a free estimate now.
