Selmer's charming downtown, affordable homes and manufacturing jobs
Selmer is a city of roughly 4,500 and the seat of McNairy County in southwest Tennessee. The community draws residents with its healthy downtown and lower home prices than nearby cities. But Selmer also sets itself apart with its employers, as the community offers more manufacturing jobs than places like Henderson or Adamsville. “They have quite a bit of industry,” says Destiny Burns, the owner and broker of Stellar Realty Group and a longtime resident of the region. “Some people do commute to Jackson as well. But they have quite a few factories down there.”
Ranch-style homes and renovated cottages near downtown
Residential areas branch out from downtown, with homes along narrow, meandering streets. Most of the community is still forested; tall pine or oak trees shade backyards. Houses tend to date from the 20th century, though homebuyers can find scattered newer construction. Fixer-uppers sell between $30,000 and $75,000, while renovated cottages can go from $75,000 to $150,000. Ranch-style builds are most common in the area and sell from $140,000 to $360,000.
Local specialties at Court Avenue cafes, plus downtown boutiques
Court Avenue is Selmer’s main commercial drag. Cafes, restaurants and locally owned boutiques occupy the 20th-century storefronts that line the street downtown. Pat’s Cafe serves a regional specialty — the slugburger, which has a fried patty made with beef and cornmeal — alongside other sandwiches for lunch. More shops and fast food restaurants are located just outside downtown on Mulberry Avenue, including Food Giant for groceries. Walmart sells other necessities on the community’s outskirts. “There are quite a few boutiques downtown, and all sorts of different stuff,” Burns says. “But they also have Walmart and all that.”
Access to Jackson, but employers in Selmer
Selmer is roughly 90 miles from Memphis and 35 miles from Jackson. While some residents commute to Jackson, others work at manufacturers in Selmer. The closest airport to the community is Jackson Regional Airport, which has direct flights to Atlanta and Chicago, roughly 40 miles away. While residents mainly drive to get around, the Southwest Human Resource Agency operates an on-demand transportation program for disabled people and seniors in McNairy County and surrounding areas. The closest emergency room is at the Magnolia Regional Health Center, 18 miles south in Corinth, Mississippi.
Education at McNairy County Schools and dual enrollment opportunities
Selmer is within the McNairy County Schools district, which receives a B-minus overall grade from Niche. Most students in the community are zoned to Selmer Elementary, which gets a B-minus grade from Niche. Selmer Middle School and McNairy Central High are each graded B. McNairy Central offers students dual enrollment opportunities in conjunction with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Crump and the University of Tennessee at Martin, which has a satellite campus in Selmer.
Parks within Selmer, include City Park, Dixie Park and Patriot
The Selmer Parks and Recreation department administers several areas, including Selmer City Park. The town’s main hub for recreation, Selmer City Park has playgrounds, a walking path, basketball and tennis courts and the Selmer City Pool. Dixie Park has a splash pad and dog park closer to the town center. With several baseball and softball fields, Patriot Park hosts the town’s sports leagues. The Selmer Golf and Country Club is private and has a nine-hole course plus a pool.
Performances at the Latta and annual musical celebrations
Located downtown, the theater and gallery known colloquially as the Latta is the heart of Selmer’s arts scene. The theater hosts community shows several times a year, while the gallery is home to exhibitions of local artists. Annual happenings include the town’s Fourth of July celebration held at Selmer City Park. The event includes live music, food vendors and a fireworks show. Another yearly celebration, the Rockabilly Highway Revival Festival, focuses on the city’s musical heritage. Meanwhile, the Selmer Farmers Market is held weekly over the summer and features locally grown produce and artisans from the area.
Recovery following tornado in April of 2025
While not generally considered to be in “tornado alley,” Selmer is located in a portion of the Mid-South that has seen more tornado activity in recent years. In April of 2025, an EF3 tornado struck Selmer, with the track taking the storm through the north end of downtown. The tornado killed three residents of Selmer and caused almost $28 million in damage across McNairy County. Over 100 buildings were destroyed, and the rebuild is ongoing.
