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Selma, CA

Frequently asked questions

Selma, CA

Selma is a city in Fresno County, California. The population was 23,319 at the 2010 census, up from 19,240 at the 2000 census. Selma is located 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 308 feet (94 m).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers an area of 5.136 square miles (13.30 km2), all of it land.

Selma owes its beginnings to farming and to the Southern Pacific Railroad, which began in the 1870s as a branch line of the Central Pacific Railroad. The route of the Southern Pacific through California's Central Valley gave rise to a string of small towns between Sacramento and Bakersfield. Selma was among them.

In 1880, residents of the rural community that would become Selma established the Valley View School District. The first post office opened in 1880. A decade later, four farmers – Jacob E. Whitson, Egbert H. Tucker, George Otis, and Monroe Snyder – formed a partnership and developed a townsite along the railroad. They began auctioning lots and just three years later the city of Selma was formally incorporated. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers an area of 5.136 square miles (13.30 km2), all of it land.

A persistent local legend is that Selma was named after Selma Gruenberg Lewis (c. 1867–1944) by Governor Leland Stanford, who was shown her picture by her father. As Lewis first told the story in 1925, Stanford, also a Director of the Central Pacific Railroad, was so taken that he ordered that the next town on the line be named for her. Lewis often repeated the story with further romantic embellishments, and it came to be accepted as fact despite a lack of documentary evidence. Lewis is buried in Floral Memorial Park in Selma, and her marker repeats the story. Subsequent investigation indicates instead that the town was named for Selma Michelsen (1853–1910), the wife of a railroad employee who had submitted her name for inclusion on a list of candidate names prepared by his supervisor. George Otis selected the name from this list, in consultation with other local businessmen.

Selma focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Selma Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Valley Fitness, Fit Republic Gyms & Health Clubs, and Manzo Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Selma, such as Selma Park and the Rockwell Pond New Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Selma, CA are Fresno Chaffee Zoo, China Peak Mountain Resort, and Forestiere Underground Gardens.

ZIP code: 93662. Population: 24,625 (2021). Area code: 559. Elevation: 308 ft (94 m). Area: 5.77 sq mi (14.94 km2).

FAQs

What is Selma, CA famous for?

Wheat was Selma’s first economic engine. Wheat fields were quickly displaced by orchards and vineyards. Although raisins soon became the major crop, Selma called itself the “Home of the Peach” and was also known as “A Peach of a City.” Through the 1960s. With 90 percent of U.S. raisins produced within eight miles of Selma, the city adopted the slogan “Raisin Capital of the World” in 1963.

Is Selma, CA a good place to live?

Living in Selma offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Selma, there are a lot of parks. Many families live in Selma and residents tend to lean liberal.

How safe is Selma, CA?

With a crime rate of 32 per one thousand residents, Selma has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 31. Within California, more than 85% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Selma.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Selma

Selma Recreation and Community Services Department

Valley Fitness

Fit Republic Gyms & Health Clubs

Manzo Fitness

Selma Park

Rockwell Pond New Park

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

China Peak Mountain Resort

Forestiere Underground Gardens

Downtown Selma

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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