The City of Selma is centrally located along Highway 99 between California’s two largest market areas.  The community sits 207 miles north of Los Angeles and 209 miles south of San Francisco.  Selma is within convenient traveling distance to major metropolitan areas and the recreational areas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and California’s Coastal Region.

Selma began with the founding of the Valley View School District in 1880 and following a four farmer partnership of Whitson, Tucker, Otis and Snyder, a town-site was established in 1893.  The City of Selma was incorporated three years later.  The “Selma” name was chosen from a list of names that had been submitted by the Central Pacific Railroad that was built through the community in 1880.

Selma’s first major industry was wheat farming, but with the arrival of irrigation the community became known as “Home of the Peach” as the wheat fields gave way to orchards of peaches. Grape vineyards took over the acres of land that surrounded the Selma community producing 93% of the world’s raisin crop and the name “Raisin Capital of the World” was adopted in 1963.  The acres of grapes also produce product for table grapes and wine.

Selma is a progressive, growing community that strives to retain small town qualities and life style.  Selma’s quaint Central Business District has continued to thrive and it’s  five other shopping areas provide the complete shopping experience for Selma’s wide-range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds that make Selma an All-American city.

  • Population: 24,844

  • Selma Businesses: 760

  • Selma Chamber Members: 260

  • Selma is the fifth largest city in Fresno County.

  • Schools: 11, with an enrollment of 6, 541 (2015-16) (including High School, Middle School, Elementary, and Alternative Schools) Selma also has several private school facilities, from pre-school to sixth grade levels.

  • College: Higher education possibilities are within 20 minutes of Selma, California State University at Fresno, Fresno Pacific College, Reedley Community College, Fresno City College and Clovis Community College. There are several vocational schools in the Fresno County area, also.

  • Medical Facilities: Adventist Medical Center – Selma, Kaiser Permanente Medical Clinic, Adventist Health Center, Central Valley Family Health, Selma Convalescent Home, Eye-Q Vision Center

  • Complete Emergency Response Teams: Selma Fire Department/Paramedics, American Ambulance Service, Selma Police Department, Domestic Violence Units and Volunteers in Policing (VIP).

Selma has 35 churches, 58 restaurants, 6 shopping centers, bowling alley, a 6-screen movie theater, performing arts center, 7 city parks, a county branch library, senior citizen center, community recreation department, and much more to offer its citizens and visitors.

Selma Tax Rate 8.725%

Economic Development info. call Roseann Galvan at (559) 891-2200, ext. 3106 and for Planning and Building info call (559) 891-2208/2209

Local Community Information call the Chamber Office

(559) 891-2235