Selma: Demographics & People
Selma is home to 146 people, in 79 households. Population shrank 56.2% from 333 (2022) to 146 (2024). Median age 45.4 years. (2.9y younger than Alleghany County; 7.6y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 11% of the population. Population is 100% White (non-Hispanic). The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.00). 52% of households are family-led. County is gaining 116 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 41% adult obesity, 19% smoke.
- 1.8 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 48% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 59 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 56.2% from 333 (2022) to 146 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~75 (extrapolated at -28.1%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 21.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 15,223 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -56.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 333 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 146 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 146 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 21 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 45.4y is 6.5 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 11% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 45.4 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 11.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 146 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 16 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 34.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 58.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 38 |
| Population under 18 | 16 |
| Median age | 45.4 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 146 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.00 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 333 |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 1 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 100.0% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 100.0% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (4)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 146 |
|---|---|
| Share born in this state | 100.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 160 |
Households & Family Composition
79 households. Averaging 3.0 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 52% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 91 families, 70% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 110 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 91 |
| Married couples with children | 64 |
| Average household size | 2.95 |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 421 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 165 |
| Family households | 41 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 51.9% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 79 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is gaining 116 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 13,116 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 13,000 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 116 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 35 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 8.1% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | VA-06 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51005 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 005 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Alleghany |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 20.5% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 15.20 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 27.00 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51005 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Alleghany County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 936 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51005 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Alleghany County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 48.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 39.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 8.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 14,860 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 11.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 146, shrinking, established, middle-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 146 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Alleghany County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade