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Selmer, Tennessee
City of Selmer
Selmer City Hall in November 2013.
Selmer City Hall in November 2013.
Location of Selmer in McNairy County, Tennessee.
Location of Selmer in McNairy County, Tennessee.
Country  United States
State  Tennessee
County McNairy
Incorporated 1901
Named for Selma, Alabama
Area
 • Total 9.57 sq mi (24.79 km2)
 • Land 9.55 sq mi (24.73 km2)
 • Water 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation
449 ft (137 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 4,446
 • Density 465.55/sq mi (179.76/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
38375
Area code(s) 731
FIPS code 47-66940
GNIS feature ID 1301051
McNairy Courthouse
McNairy County Courthouse in Selmer, Tennessee.

Selmer is a City in and the county seat of McNairy County, Tennessee, in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 4,446 as of the 2020 census. It is named after Selma, Alabama.

Governance

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. This setup fosters a collaborative approach to decision-making, ensuring that the entire city's interests are represented and addressed. The Mayor, along with the Aldermen, oversees various aspects of local governance, including public services, infrastructure development, and community initiatives. Through regular meetings and public engagement, Selmer's elected officials work diligently to uphold transparency, accountability, and the well-being of the residents in the city.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 588
1910 529 −10.0%
1920 546 3.2%
1930 925 69.4%
1940 957 3.5%
1950 1,759 83.8%
1960 1,897 7.8%
1970 3,495 84.2%
1980 3,979 13.8%
1990 3,838 −3.5%
2000 4,541 18.3%
2010 4,396 −3.2%
2020 4,446 1.1%
Sources:

2020 census

Selmer, Tennessee – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000 Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 3,657 3,545 3,425 80.53% 80.64% 77.04%
Black or African American alone (NH) 722 636 658 15.90% 14.47% 14.80%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 8 14 14 0.18% 0.32% 0.31%
Asian alone (NH) 12 22 25 0.26% 0.50% 0.56%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 0 1 11 0.00% 0.02% 0.25%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 72 87 203 1.59% 1.98% 4.57%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 70 91 110 1.54% 2.07% 2.47%
Total 4,541 4,396 4,446 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

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 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, 14.82% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 1,21% from other races, and 5.27% from two or more races. Hispanic 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 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 for the city was $21,350. About 14.3% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 23.6% of those age 65 or over.

Geography

Selmer is located at 35°10′20″N 88°35′35″W / 35.17222°N 88.59306°W / 35.17222; -88.59306 (35.172333, -88.592964).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25 km2), all land.

Major highways

The major highways U.S. Route 64 (east-west), and U.S. Route 45 (north-south) intersect in the city, making it an important crossroads. In 2009 the Tennessee Legislature designated Highway 45 South, between Interstate 40 and the Mississippi 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 SZY (ICAO: KSZY)) is located in the area, with no ATC, a 5,002-foot (1,525 m) runway, and at 610 feet (190 m) above sea level. The UN/LOCODE for the city is USSQE.

Neighborhoods

Downtown is a neighborhood in the heart of Selmer, Tennessee, 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, Tennessee, 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, Tennessee, 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 is a neighborhood in South Selmer, Tennessee, 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, Tennessee, 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, Tennessee, 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. On January 6, 2024, a shooting occured at a gas station in Oak Hill, killing a homeless man, the shooting was carried out by 18 year old Jakobe Hill, Jakobe was arrested by police later that day and was booked into McNairy County Sheriff's Office for murder in the 1st degree, it is said that the racial makeup of this neighborhood is 96% Black or African American.

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

Climate data for Selmer, Tennessee (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1958–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 78
(26)
84
(29)
89
(32)
92
(33)
96
(36)
107
(42)
106
(41)
107
(42)
101
(38)
97
(36)
87
(31)
77
(25)
107
(42)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 49.1
(9.5)
53.7
(12.1)
62.8
(17.1)
72.7
(22.6)
80.3
(26.8)
87.4
(30.8)
90.3
(32.4)
89.7
(32.1)
84.3
(29.1)
73.8
(23.2)
61.8
(16.6)
51.9
(11.1)
71.5
(21.9)
Daily mean °F (°C) 39.3
(4.1)
43.1
(6.2)
51.4
(10.8)
60.4
(15.8)
68.9
(20.5)
76.5
(24.7)
79.8
(26.6)
78.8
(26.0)
72.6
(22.6)
61.1
(16.2)
50.1
(10.1)
42.2
(5.7)
60.4
(15.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 29.5
(−1.4)
32.5
(0.3)
39.9
(4.4)
48.2
(9.0)
57.6
(14.2)
65.7
(18.7)
69.3
(20.7)
67.8
(19.9)
60.8
(16.0)
48.5
(9.2)
38.4
(3.6)
32.5
(0.3)
49.2
(9.6)
Record low °F (°C) −21
(−29)
−11
(−24)
7
(−14)
22
(−6)
29
(−2)
39
(4)
47
(8)
45
(7)
30
(−1)
22
(−6)
5
(−15)
−14
(−26)
−21
(−29)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.69
(119)
5.30
(135)
5.75
(146)
5.64
(143)
5.36
(136)
4.79
(122)
5.17
(131)
3.84
(98)
4.35
(110)
4.14
(105)
4.37
(111)
5.66
(144)
59.06
(1,500)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 0.3
(0.76)
0.4
(1.0)
0.2
(0.51)
0.1
(0.25)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
1.0
(2.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 11.5 11.2 11.8 10.5 11.1 9.6 9.7 8.6 6.8 7.3 9.5 11.5 119.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8
Source: NOAA

Rockabilly

The Rockabilly Highway Revival is an annual event held in downtown Selmer to commemorate its rich musical heritage.

Buford Pusser

Sheriff Buford Pusser 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 and Bo Svenson. The movies were filmed in nearby Henderson.

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.

National media attention

Matthew Winkler homicide, 2006

The city of Selmer became a focus of national news media in late March 2006. A local minister, Matthew Brian Winkler, was shot to death by his wife Mary Carol Winkler at their Selmer home. After Mary was said to have fled Selmer with the couple's three daughters, she was apprehended in Orange Beach, Alabama, and was returned to Selmer for trial. She has confessed to the authorities concerning the shooting of her husband with a shotgun. In trial she stated that her husband both physically and emotionally abused her. This murder/trial can be seen on the television show 'Snapped' Season 6 Episode 1, aired in 2007.

Drag racing catastrophe, 2007

On June 16, 2007, a high-power Pro Modified drag racing car driven by Troy Warren Critchley lost control and killed six young people while performing a burnout routine during a car show charity parade on Mulberry Avenue in Downtown Selmer. Critchley's car left the road and struck part of the crowd attending a charity parade for "America Can! Cars For Kids" (not affiliated with Kars4Kids). Six young people were killed. Two died at the scene of the accident, and four died later at hospitals in Selmer, Jackson and Memphis. A total of 20 others were injured and were transported to various hospitals throughout western and middle Tennessee. Lawsuits filed against the city and event organizers asked for more than $US 85 million in damages.</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.

On March 20, 2008, Troy Critchley surrendered to authorities and was booked on the charges, with bond set at $35,000. The trial was set for November 3, 2008.

Troy Critchley pleaded guilty to 28 charges of reckless assault and was sentenced to 18 months' probation.

Radio broadcasting

FM stations

  • WXKV 90.5 Contemporary Christian
  • WWGM 93.9 Mix

AM station

  • WDTM 1150 Southern Gospel

Education

Primary Schools

  • Selmer Elementary School
  • Selmer Middle School
  • McNairy Central High School (Home of the Bobcats)

Secondary Schools

  • Selmer/McNairy County University of Tennessee at Martin Satellite Campus

Notable people

  • Ray Bodiford, Tennessee politician
  • Chad Harville, Baseball Pitcher

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selmer (Tennessee) para niños

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