Like other Delaware County towns, Selma blossomed in the early 1900s thanks to the discovery of natural gas. However, the town ultimately withered after the end of World War II as railroads became obsolete and factories left the area. Nowadays, Selma has a population of about 750 people who prefer a quiet, unhurried pace of life and enjoy access to highly rated schools. “It’s definitely got that small-town feel. We’ve got one flashing light, a Pizza King and an American Legion,” says Cortney Felton, a resident and Realtor with Nexthome Elite Real Estate. “If someone in the community is in need, it’s nothing for the community to band together and help.” That spirit was on full display after a tornado with 120 mph winds struck Selma in March 2024. The EF-2 twister damaged nearly half the structures in town and uprooted trees. Residents helped clear debris, rebuild homes and distribute supplies.
Farmhouses and ranch-style homes can be hard to come by
The median price of a single-family home in Selma is $230,000, significantly more than Muncie’s median price of about $150,000. “Homes tend to sell for a little bit more here because the inventory is few and far between and people want to move to the area,” Felton says. Bungalows, cottages and farmhouses from the early 1900s sit alongside midcentury ranch-style homes, which make up the majority of the housing stock. Buyers can find new traditional homes built after 1980 on country roads and subdivisions on the outskirts of town. Fixer-uppers cost between $50,000 and $100,000, while pre-1980 builds typically range from $100,000 to $230,000. Homes constructed after the ’80s tend to be bigger and cost between $250,000 and $365,000. Multi-acre properties with custom or renovated homes can range from $500,000 to nearly $700,000.
The Raiders have several state championship titles
Liberty-Perry Community School Corporation serves the area. Many kids can walk to Selma Elementary School, which receives an A-minus from Niche. Selma Middle School gets a B. Both schools offer a robotics team for students. Wapahani High School, rated B-minus, offers dual credit courses and Advanced Placement classes. The Raiders are part of the Mid-Eastern Conference, and the girls’ volleyball team has secured six state championships since 2002, most recently in 2022. “We have a very small school, but we’ve had some state championship teams come out of it the last couple of years,” Felton says. “The town always comes together anytime they win a big game. They do a caravan through town and set off fireworks. People come out of their houses, hold up signs and just really cheer them on, and that’s just a neat thing that I think people think of often whenever they think about Selma.”
Boating, fishing and camping at Prairie Creek Reservoir
The Selma Community Athletic Park roars to life during the summer as baseball players from across the U.S. compete in tournaments. Delaware Country Club, Cardinal Hills Golf Course and Hickory Hills Golf Club are all within a 15-minute drive. Prairie Creek Reservoir, about 10 minutes away, buzzes with activity during the summer months. “That offers pontoon boating, camping, fishing and some ATV trails. That’s probably our biggest attraction,” Felton says. “There are some horse trails out there, too.” Nature lovers head to the reservoir’s southern edge for bird watching and hiking at Red-tail Nature Preserve. Bikers can hop on the 62-mile Cardinal Greenway from a trailhead at the preserve.
Locals look forward to Bluebird Days in August
Bluebird Days is a three-day festival sponsored by the Lions Club that signals the end of summer. “The high school years and years ago used to be called the Selma Bluebirds, and now we have Bluebird Days every August,” Felton says. “That’s an event that brings people from around the surrounding area, and alumni come back to town.” It’s a nearly 30-year tradition with carnival rides, vendors and live entertainment. A new event is Christmas in Selma. Now in its second year, the event rings in the holiday season with horse-drawn carriage rides, fire pits with s’more stations, a tree lighting ceremony and a Christmas parade.
Residents shop and dine in Muncie
Pizza King, an Indiana franchise, is the lone restaurant in town. “We’re getting a Dollar General in town, but other than that, we have to go to Muncie,” Felton says. It’s a 10-minute drive to Walmart Supercenter on the city’s south side and a 15-minute jaunt to McGalliard Road, the hub of Muncie’s shopping and dining scene. Diners can shop at the Muncie Mall, which has about 20 stores, and choose from dozens of fast-casual chains on the busy strip. The locally owned bars, restaurants and boutiques of downtown Muncie are a straight shot down Route 32/Jackson Street.
Route 32 leads to the heart of Muncie
Drivers can reach downtown Muncie on Route 32 within 20 minutes. The closest emergency room is at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, also in Muncie. Selma is about 30 minutes from the Ohio border and about an hour and a half away from Indianapolis. A few trains cross the railroad tracks in Selma daily, but delays are rare.
Licensed Real Estate Broker with a demonstrated history in residential and agricultural real estate sales. Associate Broker/Realtor with Flesher Brothers Auctioneering & Real Estate in Albany Indiana. Gary is a member of the Mid-Eastern Indiana Association of Realtors as well as MIBOR Realtor Association (Indianapolis) and specializes in personal service, knowledgeable guidance and timely communication.
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