Selma is a natural attraction for many visitors with the largest historic district in the state of Alabama, breathtaking riverfront properties and views, as well as significant roles in both the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. Located in Alabama’s Black Belt, Selma’s population is made up of approximately 63% African Americans, 35% Whites, and a small representation of residents from Hispanic and other ethnic backgrounds. Selma is a city filled with history, charm and good-hearted people who care about their community.
Like other communities in the Black Belt, however, Selma and the surrounding Dallas County area routinely rank as one of the poorest areas in the United States. Challenged by poverty, Dallas County suffers from population decline, lack of economic opportunities, and inadequate education and healthcare. For many in Selma, a lifetime of poverty has stripped them of hope.
• Almost 80% of children live in high-poverty neighborhoods.
• 40% of children live in below-poverty level households.
• 80% of children living in the Black Belt qualify for the federal free lunch program.
For many families, meeting basic needs is a daily struggle due to a lack of education and training, limited employment opportunities, and below-average household incomes.
•Unemployment is 6.6%, compared to the national unemployment rate of 5.0%.
•Only 14% of all residents have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
•The median household income is $24,684, about $12,000 less than the state’s median income.
•Fifty-three percent of homes are led by a single parent with a median income of $9,279 for single mother families.
Children make up one quarter of the county’s population, and are particularly vulnerable to health concerns and high-risk behavior. Education experts assert that children living in poverty are less likely to finish high school, attend college, and obtain jobs that will make them financially self-sufficient. Children in poverty are also more likely to use drugs, engage in other risky behaviors, and suffer from environmental health problems.
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You can contact us at:
Freedom Foundation
PO Box 715
Selma, AL 36701
(334) 375-3606
