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City · 6,817 residents · Johnston County, North Carolina

Selma , North Carolina

In Selma, a typical home is worth $171,600 and typical rent is $820 a month. Compared with all of Johnston County, the typical home value is 44% lower, typical rent is 28% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 33 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $171,600

    44% below the county

    41% below North Carolina

    • Selma
    • Johnston
    • North Carolina

  • Typical rent

    $820a month

    28% below the county

    33% below North Carolina

    • Selma
    • Johnston
    • North Carolina

  • Households that own their home

    43%

    33 points below the county

    24 points below North Carolina

    • Selma
    • Johnston
    • North Carolina

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$271,589
0.5% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,598 a month

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Selma is in Johnston County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Johnston County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Selma apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 43% of households in Selma own their home, against 76% in Johnston County.

  2. The typical home in Selma is worth $171,600, 44% less than in Johnston County as a whole ($305,600).

  3. The typical rent in Selma is $820 a month, 28% less than in Johnston County as a whole ($1,146).

  4. Nearby, in Smithfield, the typical rent is $658: 20% less than in Selma ($820).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Selma

What homes there are in Selma, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

In Selma, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Johnston County, 8.

Year built

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,393 a month

Johnston County: $1,665 a month

Without a mortgage

$590 a month

Johnston County: $494 a month

Owners with a mortgage

64%

Johnston County: 70%

Owning costs less in Selma: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,393 a month; in Johnston County, $1,665. Without one, $590.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Homes in Selma gained value more slowly than in Johnston County: 63% since 2015–2019, against 85%.

Rent in Selma moved so little since 2015–2019 that the Census cannot say whether it rose or fell.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureSelmaJohnston CountyNorth CarolinaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate3.8%7.1%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%1.3%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.9%2.2%3.4%
People per household 2.242.722.442.53
Drive alone 80%76%72%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate8%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate1%2%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate15%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate30 to 39 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

On average, a household in Selma has 2.24 people, fewer than in Johnston County (2.72).

In Selma, 80% of workers drive alone to work; in Johnston County, 76%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Selma?

The Census Bureau publishes no typical home value or typical household income for Selma, so we don't measure how heavy the payment is. Enter your own numbers in the calculator. The calculator starts with the typical home value in Selma: $171,600. The rate is Freddie Mac’s weekly average (7.18%, November 5, 2026); yours may be different. The FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Johnston County. Change the price, the down payment or the loan type and see how your payment changes.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Johnston County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Selma. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $6,006 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,402

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$168,492
Total interest
$242,420
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,898 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

Type your income to see which tier this payment lands in.

Show the result as
per month$1,402
Principal & interest$1,141
Property tax$113
Home insurance$72
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$76

You need at least $6,006 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Selma and Johnston County

Selma is in Johnston County, North Carolina. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Selma's own numbers

Typical home value
$171,600
Typical monthly rent
$820
Households that own their home
43%
Effective property tax rate
0.79%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Johnston County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,689
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+56%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.7%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Johnston County.

Everything about Johnston County

Buying

Buying a home in Selma

A typical home in Selma is worth $171,600: 44% below the county and 41% below North Carolina.

How prices have changed in Johnston County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Johnston County rose 106% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Johnston County.

Period County North Carolina U.S.
Last year (2025) +1.4% +2.5% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +56% +60% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +106% +107% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Selma next to Johnston County, North Carolina and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Selma $171,600
  • Johnston $305,600
  • North Carolina $288,900
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Selma $820
  • Johnston $1,146
  • North Carolina $1,228
  • United States $1,413
See the full table
Selma next to Johnston County and North Carolina
Measure Selma Johnston County North Carolina U.S.
Typical home value $171,600 $305,600 $288,900 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $820 $1,146 $1,228 $1,413
Households that own their home 43% 76% 67% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,356 $1,908 $1,896 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.79% 0.62% 0.66% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 62% 48% 49% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Johnston County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Selma

For a typical $171,600 home in Selma, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Selma's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,402a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $6,006
    Cash to close
    $11,154
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $76

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,370a month

    Down payment
    $8,580
    Cash to close
    $13,728
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $82

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,114a month

    Down payment
    $34,320
    Cash to close
    $39,468
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,273a month

    Down payment
    $25,740
    Cash to close
    $30,888
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Selma and for Johnston County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Selma

0.79%of the home’s value each year

$1,356 a year for the typical owner in Selma.

  • Selma 0.79%
  • Johnston 0.62%
  • North Carolina 0.66%

What North Carolina publishes Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exclusion (North Carolina General Assembly (statute))

Exemptions and deadlines in North Carolina

Flood risk in Johnston County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Johnston County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
0.7%
486
Of those, with NFIP insurance
36%
County North Carolina U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 0.7% 2.8% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 36% 53% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Selma

Typical rent in Selma is $820 a month: 28% below the county. In Selma, 62% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Johnston County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,689 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $32.48 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Johnston County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,489 $28.63 $59,560
1 bedroom $1,552 $29.85 $62,080
2 bedrooms $1,689 $32.48 $67,560
3 bedrooms $2,103 $40.44 $84,120
4 bedrooms $2,823 $54.29 $112,920

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Selma

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Selma has 2 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,220 in all of them.

None is above the fair market rent for Johnston County ($1,689).

  • 27576 $1,220$1,500
  • 27577 $1,220$1,500

2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Selma when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Selma

HUD lists 4 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Selma. These are the largest.

  • Coastline/Canady/Wilson 200A S Sellers St, Selma 27576 183 low-income homes · Run by Selma Housing Authority · Average payment: $434 a month · Average wait: 9 months · Homes at several sites (919) 965-3755
  • Lizzie Mill Station 182 Redwood Dr, Selma 27576 100 low-income homes · For families (919) 351-0100
  • The Meadows Apartments 601 Ricks Rd, Selma 27576 58 homes, 57 low-income · 1 bd: 14 · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1994 · For families
  • Joseph E. Price Elderly Center 300 Merriman Dr, Selma 27576 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 30 · 2 bd: 2 · In service since 1993 · For older adults

See all 43 buildings in Johnston County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Selma

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Johnston County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

An older woman smiles in front of her apartment building.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Selma

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Selma or Johnston County. The ones below are statewide in North Carolina: they work in Selma the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in North Carolina

  • NC Home Advantage Mortgage

    Statewide in North Carolina

    NCHFA fixed-rate mortgage with down payment assistance, for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before, in North Carolina. Offered by North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

  • NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment

    Statewide in North Carolina

    A fixed amount of NCHFA down payment assistance for first-time buyers and veterans in North Carolina. Offered by North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).

    Type not stated

    See the program Official page

  • Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)

    Statewide in North Carolina

    NCHFA interest-free loan with deferred payments of up to 25% of the price (maximum $50,000) for the down payment of low- and moderate-income buyers in North Carolina; you apply through a member organization. Offered by North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Selma

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Selma, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Wilson Community Improvement Association, Inc.

    504 Green St E, Wilson · 25 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 6 more
    252-243-4855x214

  • Dhic, Inc.

    113 S Wilmington St, Raleigh · 26 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 2 more
    (919) 832-4345

  • Cccs, A Division of Triangle Family Services, Inc.

    3937 Western Blvd, Raleigh · 28 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in Arabic, American Sign Language (ASL), Cambodian, Cantonese, and 17 more languages.

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 6 more
    (919) 821-0790

All counseling agencies in North Carolina

Help in Spanish near Selma

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Selma

HUD’s record names them for Selma or Johnston County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Selma Housing Authority Public housing (919) 965-3755
  • Johnston County Housing Assistance Payments Program Section 8 vouchers (919) 989-5070

2 other authorities have an office in Johnston County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Johnston County

These cities are also in Johnston County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Johnston County Housing in North Carolina

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Selma, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Johnston County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Selma.

All guides
A mother smiles as she carries her young daughter on her shoulders (black and white).

Questions

Housing questions about Selma

Short answers with the numbers for Selma and all of Johnston County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Selma?

The typical home value in Selma is $171,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Johnston County it is $305,600.

How much does it cost to rent in Selma?

Typical rent in Selma is $820 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Johnston County is $1,689.

What is the FHA loan limit in Selma?

Selma uses the FHA limit for all of Johnston County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Selma?

The typical homeowner in Selma pays $1,356 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.79% of the home’s value; in Johnston County, the rate is 0.62%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Selma?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Johnston County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).