Selma receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Clarksdale
Selma
Opportunity
13 · Bottom 1%
vs21 · Bottom 2%
Growth
5 · Bottom 1%
vs7 · Bottom 1%
Climate
69 · Bottom 44%
vs73 · Top 36%
Physical resilience
58 · Top 50%
vs34 · Bottom 27%
Housing affordability
83 · Top 46%
vs82 · Top 47%
Access
81 · Bottom 24%
vs76 · Bottom 18%
Economic stability
20 · Bottom 2%
vs24 · Bottom 3%
Measured values
| Metric | Clarksdale | Selma | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,231 | 17,057 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $36,382 | $33,197 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $20,508 | $25,156 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 757/sq mi | 1,235/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $83,900 | $96,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $774 | $713 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 45.9% | 46.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 6.0% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.9% | -1.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 19.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 40.3% | 30.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1 | 0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.1 | 0.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 90°F | 91°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 32°F | 35°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 55.9" | 53.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 36 mi | 38 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 19.6 min | 26.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.9 | 38.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Clarksdale
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Selma
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, inland flooding, strong wind.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Clarksdale
42
Your Score
39
Area Score
Selma
45
Your Score
42
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Clarksdale, MS · Selma, AL · How this is calculated: methodology