Edmund Pettus Bridge · Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainOn CDC estimates, Selma is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns
Selma differs from Alabama on 25 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 4 better, 21 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Selma. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Selma
Making ends meet is harder in Selma
1 in 5 adults were threatened with a utility shut-off (20.5%), about twice the Alabama rate. Food insecurity (36.5% vs 19.2%) and housing insecurity (26.1% vs 13.9%) are higher too. 34.3% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Stroke, diabetes and COPD run high in Selma
1 in 15 adults have had a stroke (6.5%), vs 4.1% across Alabama. 22.3% of adults have diabetes, vs 14.8% across Alabama. COPD is also above the state: 10.5%, vs 8% across Alabama. In all, Selma runs above Alabama on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Selma
46% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 56.9% across Alabama. Among those 65 and older, 27.4% have lost all their teeth (Alabama 15.4%). Checkups ↓
Selma is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Selma is healthier than 5%. Against the 953 towns with similar household incomes ($25K–$41K), it’s healthier than 43%. Health Grade ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Alabama figure falls outside Selma’s likely range.
What’s behind Selma’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Selma is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns, #170 of 187 in Alabama. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 21% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (near the bottom of U.S. towns).
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Selma’s median household income is $33,197; among the 953 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($25K–$41K), it’s healthier than 43%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Selma compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 6.5% (U.S. 7.9%); binge drinking, 9.8% (U.S. 15.4%); checkup in the past year, 84.5% (U.S. 77.4%).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
34.3% of Selma adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14% across Alabama.
Out of every 100 Selma adults…
Selma runs below AL on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 9. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Selma adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Alabama.
Care in and near Selma
1 hospital and 1 community health center in Selma, plus the nearest just outside it.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Selma; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Everyday habits, side by side with Alabama
Share of adults, with the Alabama figure marked.
1.8 miles of trails across 4 parks and preserves
How Selma adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Selma runs above Alabama.
2 in 5 Selma adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Selma and the towns around it
Selma’s Health Grade ranks 2nd of 3 graded towns around it.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selma | D− | 47.4% | 22.3% | 19.2% | CDC place |
| Valley Grande | D− | 42.9% | 19.2% | 21% | CDC place |
| Selmont-West Selmont | D− | 50.3% | 25.1% | 21.5% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Selma adults live with a disability (Alabama 36.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Selma
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Selma is better than Alabama on 4 and worse on 21; on the rest, the Alabama figure falls inside Selma’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Selma | AL | U.S. | vs AL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 33.3%30–36.9 | 22.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 16.9%15.1–19 | 14.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.8%16.9–21.1 | 17.2% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 47.4%39.8–55.5 | 39.4% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 22.3%19.9–25 | 14.8% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 54.9%50.6–59.4 | 43.3% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 42.6%38.3–47.2 | 40.7% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 34%30.6–37.7 | 30.3% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12%10.6–13.6 | 10% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.5%5.9–7.2 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.9%8–9.8 | 7.3% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.5%9.4–11.7 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.5%6–7 | 4.1% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 27.4%23.5–31.9 | 15.4% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 19.2%16.8–21.9 | 15.1% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 37.9%33–43.2 | 28.7% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 9.8%7.9–12.1 | 14.1% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 48%41.4–54.8 | 39.1% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 12.2%10.3–14.3 | 9.9% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 84.5%81.6–87.2 | 80.4% | 77.4% | Better |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 46%42.3–50 | 56.9% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 86.3%84.5–88.1 | 85.8% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 81.2%78.9–83.5 | 78% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 65.2%60.3–70 | 67% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 79.2%72.6–85 | 77.9% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 19.8%16.8–23.3 | 23.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 39.6%34.2–45 | 35.4% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 31.5%27.4–35.9 | 24.8% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 36.5%32.7–40.2 | 19.2% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 26.1%23.1–29.3 | 13.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 20.5%18.2–22.9 | 9.6% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 18.1%16.1–20.2 | 9.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 34.3%30.8–37.8 | 14% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 43.5%39.1–48.4 | 36.5% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 25%22.6–27.7 | 17.1% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19.2%17.3–21.4 | 16.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.9%7.1–8.8 | 8.2% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 10.6%9.7–11.6 | 6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 14.5%13.1–16 | 9.8% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 8.4%7.6–9.1 | 4.6% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Alabama figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Selma
Is Selma a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Selma is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #170 of 187 in Alabama. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 43%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Selma?
CDC estimates 47.4% of adults have obesity, likely between 39.8% and 55.5%, against 39.4% across Alabama and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Selma?
Vaughan Regional Medical Center Parkway Campus in Selma, 1.4 miles in a straight line from Selma’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Selma have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 12.2% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 10.3–14.3%), against 9.9% across Alabama.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Selma more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Selma.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Alabama figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.