Vintage storefronts shaded by colorful striped awnings, the soft glow of antique streetlights and a water tower rising above the horizon. The bygone charm of Selma makes it the place for those “looking for a really old southern historical community,” says Julie Toy, a Raleigh native and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Advantage. Known regionally for its antique stores and old southern homes, Selma is a country town that developed in the late 1800s around the North Carolina Railroad. Today, a red preserved train car greets Amtrak travelers at its historic railroad crossing. The town’s location along Interstate 95 makes it a popular pitstop for those passing through Johnston County. Residents here witness the ebb and flow of crowds downtown as cars and buses full of visitors make a pit stop so passengers can stretch their legs and explore the quaint shops and eateries.
Selma was born as a “Railroad Town,” and the rail heritage is still evident today.
Smithfield Recreation & Aquatics Center has an indoor eight lane 50-meter pool.
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Antiquing on Raiford Street
Downtown is the place for shopping and sipping, with boutiques, bars and breweries lining Raiford Street. People specifically come to Selma for its antiquing. One destination is Trackside Antiques. Inside its brick building adorned with emerald-green awnings, people hunt for treasures like glassware, vintage magazines and Elvis memorabilia. Eclectic items like jewelry, clocks and chandeliers are for sale at Treasury Antiques. People can walk to Coffee on Raiford for a latte or Old Fashioned Ice Cream for a milkshake. Quesadillas and empanadas can be found at Fiorentine Café. Old North State Food Hall, where Interstate 95 crosses U.S. Route 70, offers an array of dishes from curry and Cuban sandwiches to pizza and hot dogs. In the evening, people head to the Rudy Theatre, a downtown performing arts venue with a cast that performs concerts throughout the year. For grocery shopping, there are a handful of small food markets, like Neighborhood Market and Selma IGA Supermarket, and locally grown fruit and vegetables can be picked up at Crooked Row Produce. Big-name grocery stores like Food Lion and Walmart Supercenter sit outside city limits.
Coffee on Railford is a locally owned coffee shop in Selma , NC.
Old Fashioned Ice Cream in downtown Selma serves homemade icecream.
There's a Walmart super Center in Selma, NC.
Treasury Antiques is a popular stote in downtown Selma, NC.
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Settling down in Selma
The gridded residential streets here are wide and lined with concrete sidewalks. Branches from mature oak and hickory trees stretch high into the sky, shading yards below. Since Selma sits in a grid formation, most of its houses are right next to each other, with about a half-acre of land each. Buyers will find plenty of single-story builds, from midcentury brick ranch-style homes with carports to 1930s shotguns with covered front porches. There are also cozy 1920s Craftsman-style bungalows and minimal traditional homes. Those seeking a larger space may fall in love with the two-story Greek Revival and Queen Anne homes in the West Selma Historic District featuring columns, wrap-around porches and ornate detailing indicative of classic southern charm. “If you were to Google ‘old southern downtown homes,’ Selma would show up,” Toy says. “I have a friend who lives in one of those homes. It’s a labor of love. It’s older than 100 years old,” she continues. Buyers who prefer less maintenance can find newly built properties sprinkled around town. The average home value in Selma is $242,895, well below the U.S. and Raleigh area averages. Depending on size and condition, prices typically range between $100,000 and $500,000.
New homes and subdivisions are being built on the outskirts of Selma, NC.
Large historic homes line the streets of downtown Selma, NC.
Small cottages can be found around the downtown area of Selma, NC.
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Learn, play and socialize at SRAC
Three small neighborhood parks dot the outer perimeter of Selma. Families can play on the playground at Brack Wilson Park, grab a book from the little library at Raiford Street Park or play tennis at Edgebrook Park. Richard B. Harrison Gymnasium is centrally located for ball games inside or outside. One of the most popular recreational spots is the Smithfield Recreation & Aquatics Center, known as “SRAC” by locals. At SRAC, children learn to swim, adults meet up for running club on Saturdays or to take pottery classes, and people of all ages can sign up for walks along the Neuse River.
Smithfield Recreation & Aquatics Center is located next to Smithfield Community Park.
Learning in Johnston County Public Schools
A few blocks from downtown, a brick clocktower welcomes students at Selma Elementary School, which earns a C-plus from Niche. C-rated Selma Middle School is right down the street off U.S. Route 301. Smithfield-Selma High School, located between the two towns, has a C-plus rating. It offers career-focused programs like the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism and the Fire Science Program. Families interested in charter or private schools have several nearby options, including Neuse Charter School, Innovation Academy and Star Christian Academy. Johnston Community College offers higher education close to home, and qualifying students can attend tuition-free.
Selma Elementary is located in Johnston County, NC.
Smithfield Selma High School is located in Johnston County, NC.
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A never-ending Carolina yard sale
Selma is a popular starting point for the 301 Endless Yard Sale each June. Bargain hunters and collectors drive more than 100 miles between the town of Weldon and the city of Dunn to shop for antiques, clothing, crafts and more at yard sales and markets lining U.S. Route 301.
Downtown Selma is full of cute stores and restaurants.
Easy access to U.S. Route 301 and I-95
Downtown Selma is very walkable, but most residents drive around town. Selma is proud of its location along Interstate 95, making it a popular place to fuel up or even stay the night during a long road trip. Residents use Interstate 42 and U.S. Route 301 to reach destinations around North Carolina. Raleigh is a 33-mile drive, Durham is a 57-mile drive and Chapel Hill is a 60-mile drive. Residents can catch an Amtrak train daily at Selma Station for trips along the Atlantic coast. “Price and proximity are two reasons people move to Selma,” says Brownlee. “You can get to and from Raleigh, and the train station can take you just about anywhere.”
Selma is an important rail junction in the Eastern United States.
Selma, NC is conveniently located on Highway 301 and Interstate 95.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
John Marinaccio,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Selma, NC sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Selma, NC over the last 12 months is $319,900, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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