Selmer is a city in and the
county seat
A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...
of
McNairy County, Tennessee
McNairy County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,866. The county seat and largest city is Selmer. McNairy County is located along Tennessee's border with the state of Mississippi ...
, United States,
in the southwestern part of the state. As of the
2020 census, the population of the city was 4,446.
History
The community is named after
Selma, Alabama. It incorporated in 1901.
On June 16, 2007, a
Pro Modified
Pro Modified, also known as Pro Mod, is a class or division in the sport of drag racing used in the NHRA and FIA (quarter-mile) and the Professional Drag Racers Association (PDRA) (eighth-mile). It is similar to the Top Doorslammer class as de ...
drag racing
Drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, mos ...
car driven by Troy Warren Critchley lost control while performing a
burnout routine during a car show charity parade on Mulberry Avenue in downtown Selmer. His car left the road and struck part of the crowd attending a charity parade for "America Can! Cars For Kids". Six young people were killed (two died at the scene of the accident, and four died later at hospitals), and 20 others were injured. Lawsuits filed against the city and event organizers asked for more than $US 85 million in damages.
/ref>["Lawsuits over parade accident cripple charity"]
/ref> The City of Selmer approved a $500,000 settlement in September 2011. On March 4, 2008, the McNairy County grand jury returned an indictment against Critchley on six counts of vehicular homicide due to recklessness, a Class C felony, and 22 counts of reckless aggravated assault, a Class D felony. Neither Cars for Kids nor the City of Selmer were named in the indictment.
Troy Critchley pleaded guilty to 28 charges of reckless assault and was sentenced to 18 months' probation.
On Tornado outbreak and floods of April 2–5, 2025#Selmer–Hornsby, Tennessee, April 3, 2025, an EF3
The Enhanced Fujita scale (abbreviated EF-Scale) is a scale that rates tornado intensity based on the severity of the damage a tornado causes. It is used in the United States and France, among other countries. The EF scale is also unofficially ...
tornado struck the city in the early hours, killing five people and injuring fourteen others. The city lost an estimated $10,000,000 in property damage. The tornado touched down in Downtown and Oak Hill neighborhoods destroying multiple homes and buildings.
Geography
Selmer is located at (35.172333, -88.592964).
According to the United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the city has a total area of , all land.
Neighborhoods
''Downtown'' is a neighborhood in the heart of Selmer, often referred to as "the main drag of Selmer", this historic neighborhood is also the site of McNairy County Historical Museum, Selmer City Police Department, Selmer Civic Center, First Baptist Church, The Latta Theatre, and many more historic buildings, the Civic Center and the Latta Theatre and the police department are all operated by the city.
''Eastside'' is a neighborhood in East Selmer, this neighborhood is the site of Eastside Church Of Christ and McNairy Central High School. the church is operated by the city, but the school is operated by McNairy County School Board.
''Eaglewood'' is a neighborhood in Northeast Selmer, it is the site of Chip-A-Roos and Eaglewood III Estates, the recreational facility and the apartment complex are operated by the city.
''Falcon
Falcons () are birds of prey in the genus ''Falco'', which includes about 40 species. Some small species of falcons with long, narrow wings are called hobbies, and some that hover while hunting are called kestrels. Falcons are widely distrib ...
'' is a neighborhood in South Selmer, this neighborhood is the site of the Falcon Church, Falcon Cemetery, City of Selmer Fire Department, Owl Creek Lumber, Phillips 66, and McNairy County Sheriff's Office, the church, the cemetery, the fire department, Owl Creek Lumber, Phillips 66, and the sheriff's office are all operated by the city.
''Lakeview'' is a neighborhood in West Selmer, this neighborhood is the site of Lakeview Church, First United Methodist Church, and Selmer Golf & Country Club, both churches and the country club are operated by the city.
''Oak Hill'' is a neighborhood in North Selmer, the majority African American neighborhood is the site of Oak Hill Cemetery, North Selmer Fire Station, Selmer Second Baptist Church, and Monogram Refrigeration LLC, Monogram and Oak Hill Cemetery and the fire department are all operated by the city.
''Rosewood'' is a neighborhood in Southwest Selmer, Tennessee, this neighborhood is the site of what used to be Sweats Trailer Park Mobile Home Park, it is also the location of Purdy Place Apartments, and Rosewood Place Apartments, both high income apartment complexes operated in the city.
Climate
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,446 people, 1,669 households, and 1,104 families residing in the city.
As of the census
A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2020, there were 4,446 people, 1,783 households, and 1,069 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 77.81% White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 14.82% African American
African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 0.31% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 1.21% from other races, and 5.27% from two or more races. Hispanic
The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
or Latino of any race were 2.47% of the population.
There were 1,783 households, out of which 20.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
living together, 27.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% were non-families. 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.9% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 25% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $46,696, and the median income for a family was $68,503. Males living alone had a median income of $45,412 versus $19,075 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year.
In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...
for the city was $21,350. About 14.3% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 23.6% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Annual cultural events
The Rockabilly Highway Revival is an annual event held in downtown Selmer to commemorate its rich musical heritage.
Government
Selmer, Tennessee, operates under a municipal governance system consisting of a Mayor and a Board of Aldermen, all of whom are elected officials. Unlike some municipalities where Aldermen represent specific districts or wards, Selmer's Aldermen serve the city at large. The Mayor, along with the Aldermen, oversees various aspects of local governance, including public services, infrastructure development, and community initiatives.
Education
Primary schools
* McNairy Central High School
* Selmer Middle School
* Selmer Elementary School
Secondary schools
* Selmer/McNairy County University of Tennessee at Martin
The University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin or UTM) is a public university in Martin, Tennessee, United States. It is one of the five campuses of the University of Tennessee system. UTM is the only public university in West Tennessee outsi ...
Satellite Campus
Infrastructure
Major highways
The major highways U.S. routes 64 (east-west), and 45 (north-south) intersect in the city, making it an important crossroads. In 2009, the Tennessee Legislature designated Highway 45 South, between Interstate 40
Interstate 40 (I-40) is a major east–west transcontinental Interstate Highway System, Interstate Highway in the Southeastern United States, southeastern and Southwestern United States, southwestern portions of the United States. At a leng ...
and the Mississippi
Mississippi ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Louisiana to the s ...
state line, Rockabilly Highway in recognition of the region's contributions to the development of rockabilly music.
Railroad
The railroad that runs through the city is owned by Class 1 railroad, Norfolk Southern, and is operated by West Tennessee Railroad.
Robert Sibley Airport
The Robert Sibley Airport (IATA airport code
An IATA airport code, also known as an IATA location identifier, IATA station code, or simply a location identifier, is a unique three-letter geocode designating many airports, cities (with one or more airports) and metropolitan areas (citie ...
SZY (ICAO
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO ) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates the principles and techniques of international air navigation, and fosters the planning and development of international sch ...
: KSZY)) is located in the area, with no ATC, a runway, and at above sea level. The UN/LOCODE
UN/LOCODE, the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations, is a geographic coding scheme developed and maintained by United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). UN/LOCODE assigns codes to locations used in trade and transpo ...
for the city is .
Media
Newspapers
The oldest existing business in McNairy County is newspaper publisher, Independent Appeal, which was founded in 1902. The Independent Appeal discontinued the print edition of its newspapers on December 28, 2022, and transitioned to a strictly online presence.
The McNairy County News began publication in 2009. The paper has an online presence at mcnairycountynews.com and a Facebook page, as well as a weekly printed publication each Thursday.
Radio broadcasting
;FM stations
* WXKV 90.5 Contemporary Christian
Contemporary history, in English-language historiography, is a subset of modern history that describes the historical period from about 1945 to the present. In the social sciences, contemporary history is also continuous with, and related t ...
* WWGM 93.9 Mix
;AM station
* WDTM 1150 Southern Gospel
Notable people
* Ray Bodiford, Tennessee politician
* Chad Harville
Chad Ashley Harville (born September 16, 1976) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. Harville batted and threw right-handed. He is known for throwing in the high 90's with an outstanding sinker.
Career
A second-round pick ...
, baseball pitcher who pitched for four teams over parts of six seasons
* Buford Pusser
Buford Hayse Pusser (December 12, 1937 – August 21, 1974) was the sheriff of McNairy County, Tennessee from 1964 to 1970 and constable of Adamsville from 1970 to 1972. He is known for his virtual one-man war on moonshining, prostitution, ga ...
, served as the sheriff of McNairy County from 1964 to 1970. Selmer, as the county seat, is the location of the courthouse and old jail, which was his base of operations. His story has been made famous in the '' Walking Tall'' movies starring Joe Don Baker
Joe Don Baker (February 12, 1936 – May 7, 2025) was an American actor, known for playing "tough guy" characters on both sides of the law. He established himself as an action star with supporting roles in the Westerns '' Guns of the Magnificent ...
and Bo Svenson
Bo Svenson (born 13 February 1941) is a Swedish-American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his roles in American genre films of the 1970s and 1980s.
Early life
Svenson was born in Sweden, the son of Birger Ragnar Svensson ( ...
. The movies were filmed in nearby Henderson.
References
External links
*
*
{{authority control
1901 establishments in Tennessee
County seats in Tennessee
Populated places established in 1901
Towns in McNairy County, Tennessee
Towns in Tennessee