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Selma, TX

Selma is a rapidly growing suburb of San Antonio, Texas, known for its historic stagecoach stop, the Retama Park horse racing track, and its strategic location along the I-35 corridor.

About the City

Official Status and Administrative Affiliation

The city's full official name is the City of Selma. It is a suburban city and part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area. Selma is unique as its territory spans three counties: Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe in the U.S. state of Texas . City Hall, however, is located in Guadalupe County . The region is known as the Texas Hill Country, a transition zone between the southeastern plains and the central Texas plains, famous for its rolling hills, spring-fed rivers, and strong German heritage.

Date of Foundation and Age

Selma was first settled in 1847 by German and Polish immigrants . The name "Selma" is a traditional German feminine name . The city was officially incorporated much later, in 1964 . As of 2026, the city is 179 years old from its first settlement. The city's development was spurred by the Harrison and McCulloch stagecoach stop, established in 1849, which connected San Antonio and Austin .

Geographical Position and Coordinates

Selma is located at the geographical coordinates 29°35′14″N 98°18′57″W . It is situated about 18 miles (29 km) northeast of downtown San Antonio and 13 miles (21 km) southwest of New Braunfels . The city lies along the Cibolo Creek . The elevation of the city center is approximately 755 feet (230 meters) above sea level . Geographically, it is a suburban community on the plains leading into the Texas Hill Country.

City Type and Economic Specialization

Selma is primarily a commercial and transportation hub along the busy Interstate 35 corridor, functioning as a suburb of San Antonio . Its economy is driven by:

Population and Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population of Selma was 10,952, a dramatic increase from just 788 in 2000, classifying it as a small city that is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the San Antonio area . The city's demographics reflect its diverse community: according to the 2020 census, 39.1% of the population is non-Hispanic White, 40.41% is Hispanic or Latino, 10.89% is Black or African American, and 4.47% is Asian .

"Visiting Card" of the City

Selma, Texas, is a dynamic San Antonio suburb where 19th-century pioneer history meets modern retail and entertainment. Visitors can explore a restored stagecoach stop from the 1850s, then shop at the sprawling Forum outdoor mall or watch horse racing at Retama Park, all conveniently located along the bustling I-35 corridor.

Geography

Water Objects (Rivers, Creeks)

The primary natural water feature associated with Selma is Cibolo Creek. This water source was a major reason for the area's initial settlement by pioneers in the 1840s .

Climate and Weather

Climate Type and General Characteristics

Selma has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) , with characteristics leaning towards semi-arid, typical of the region south of the Texas Hill Country . It is characterized by very hot summers, mild winters, and moderate rainfall throughout the year.

Average Temperatures by Month

The climate features a wide range of temperatures between summer and winter .

Precipitation and Humidity

Rainfall is moderate and distributed throughout the year, with a distinct wetter period in late spring.

Sunshine and UV Index

Selma enjoys a significant amount of sunshine throughout the year. The sky is described as having "much clear sky" for most of the year, with October being "almost fully clear" .

Seasonality and Best Time to Visit

The best times to visit Selma are during the spring (March to May) and fall (October to November) when temperatures are warm but not extreme .

Landmarks

[Selma Stage Stop and Visitor Center]

The most significant historical landmark in Selma, connecting it to its 19th-century roots.

[Historic Evans Road Hike and Bike Trail]

This trail is a unique linear landmark that physically connects the town's historical sites along the old stagecoach route.

[Retama Park]

A modern landmark that defines Selma's contemporary identity as an entertainment destination.

[The Forum]

A major modern commercial and social landmark.

Transport

Major Highways

The lifeblood of Selma's transport network and its connection to the region is a major interstate highway.

Nearest Airports

While Selma does not have its own commercial airport, it is conveniently located near a major international airport.

Ridesharing and Local Transportation

For getting around Selma and the surrounding area, ridesharing services are a popular and reliable option.

Rail and Bus

Selma does not have its own passenger rail service or a major bus terminal within the city limits. For such services, residents and visitors would typically travel to downtown San Antonio, which is served by Amtrak (the Texas Eagle route) and Greyhound. The city's transportation network is overwhelmingly car-dependent, with about 89% of employed residents driving to work .

Local Cuisine and Culinary Traditions

Texas Barbecue in Selma

Selma's dining scene offers visitors a taste of authentic Central Texas barbecue, a culinary tradition for which the region is world-famous. While Selma itself is a small city, its location in the Greater San Antonio area means that many barbecue joints in the vicinity serve slow-smoked meats, typically beef brisket, pork ribs, and sausage. The Central Texas style is known for its simple approach: meat is rubbed with salt and black pepper, then smoked for hours over post oak wood, allowing the natural flavors to shine. This style of barbecue has its roots in 19th-century German and Czech meat markets .

Tex-Mex Classics

Given Selma's location in the heart of Texas, Tex-Mex cuisine is a staple. Local restaurants serve beloved dishes like sizzling fajitas, enchiladas covered in chili gravy, cheesy chiles rellenos, and hearty bowls of chili con carne. This fusion of Mexican and American frontier cooking has been a defining culinary tradition of the region for generations. Diners can enjoy these classics with sides of refried beans, Spanish rice, and warm tortillas .

The Forum Shopping Center Dining

A hub for the community's diverse dining options is The Forum shopping center. Here, visitors can find a wide variety of restaurants reflecting Selma's growth and diversity. Options range from national chains to local eateries, offering everything from American comfort food and Italian cuisine to Asian fare and quick-service spots. This concentration of dining makes The Forum a convenient destination for visitors looking to sample the city's varied culinary landscape .

Museums

Art Museums Nearby in San Antonio

While Selma itself has no major museums, it is located just northeast of San Antonio, a city renowned for its rich cultural institutions. Visitors staying in Selma have easy access to some of Texas's most significant art museums. The McNay Art Museum, housed in a stunning Spanish Colonial Revival mansion, was the first museum of modern art in Texas. Its collection features works by masters such as Picasso, Gauguin, and O'Keeffe . Another key institution is the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) , which is housed in the historic Lone Star Brewery complex. SAMA is celebrated for its comprehensive collections, which span 5,000 years of history and include renowned Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Asian art, as well as extensive Latin American art . For those interested in the American West, the Briscoe Western Art Museum on the San Antonio River Walk offers exhibitions and artifacts that capture the art, history, and culture of the American West .

Contemporary Art Spaces

San Antonio also offers vibrant spaces for contemporary art. Artpace San Antonio, founded in 1995, is a renowned international artist-in-residence program with gallery spaces that feature rotating exhibitions from its resident artists . Similarly, Blue Star Contemporary, located in the Southtown arts district, is the city's oldest nonprofit space for contemporary art, showcasing innovative work by regional, national, and international artists .

Nearby Historical Sites

For a deeper dive into Texas history, the Casa Navarro State Historic Site in San Antonio is the preserved home of José Antonio Navarro, a key Texas statesman and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence . To the northeast, in New Braunfels, the Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture offers a unique look at the lives of German settlers, displaying a significant collection of Texas Biedermeier furniture from the mid-19th century .

Sport and Sporting Legends

Local Parks and Recreation

Selma maintains several parks that serve as centers for community recreation and sports. A notable recent development is the renovation of the basketball court at Ronnie Sharpe Park. In 2025, the park celebrated the grand opening of the newly refurbished "Ronnie Sharpe Court," a project supported by the Big Ten Conference as part of their "Big Life Series: Selma to Montgomery" community engagement initiative. The upgrades include new court surfacing, improved backboards, and other enhancements to support youth sports and wellness in the community .

Entertainment and Equestrian Sport

Retama Park is a key entertainment destination in Selma, best known for its Class 1 horse racing. The facility offers live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, as well as a full-service simulcast racing venue. Beyond racing, Retama Park also hosts outdoor concerts and other community events, making it a hub for local entertainment and a unique sporting venue in the region .

College Sports Nearby

Residents and visitors in Selma can easily access the vibrant college sports scene in nearby San Antonio. The city is home to several NCAA Division I programs. The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Roadrunners compete in the American Athletic Conference, with their football team playing at the Alamodome. Texas A&M University-San Antonio also fields teams, contributing to the region's collegiate athletic culture.

Professional Sports in San Antonio

Selma's location in Greater San Antonio puts it within driving distance of professional sports. The city is famously home to the San Antonio Spurs, one of the most successful franchises in NBA history. With five championships, the Spurs and their legendary players like Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginóbili, and Tony Parker are central to the region's identity . The Spurs play their home games at the Frost Bank Center.

Universities and Educational Institutions

Higher Education Nearby

Selma itself does not host a university campus, but its strategic location in the San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan area places it within a short drive of numerous colleges and universities. The most prominent is the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) , a public research university with over 34,000 students. UTSA is a major institution in the region, known for its programs in business, engineering, and cybersecurity, and its Main Campus is approximately 20 miles southwest of Selma.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Another key institution is Texas A&M University-San Antonio (TAMU-SA) , a public university located on the city's South Side. It focuses on serving the region and offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, with particular strengths in business, education, and interdisciplinary studies. Its location provides educational opportunities for residents in the southern part of the metropolitan area.

Nearby Universities in the Region

The region also offers other higher education options. Texas State University in San Marcos, about 30 miles northeast of Selma, is a large public research university. To the southeast, in Corpus Christi, is Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, a public research university on its own island. For those interested in the health professions, the University of Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio is a private Catholic university with a strong emphasis on health sciences and a prominent School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Local School Districts

Selma is served by several highly-rated school districts, including the Judson Independent School District (Bexar County portion) and the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District (Guadalupe County portion). These districts are known for their strong academic programs, extracurricular activities, and community support, contributing to Selma's appeal as a place for families .

Medical Facilities and Healthcare

Upcoming Major Hospital: University Health Retama Hospital

The most significant development in Selma's healthcare landscape is the construction of the University Health Retama Hospital, scheduled to open in early 2027. Located next to Retama Park, this new, full-service community hospital will be a five-story facility operating 24/7 . It is designed to bring comprehensive, high-quality care closer to residents in Selma and the surrounding areas, who previously faced long drives for access to University Health services .

The hospital will be equipped with the latest medical technologies and will include a wide range of services:

Adjacent to the hospital will be a medical office building with suites for physicians, allowing for a seamless integration of outpatient and inpatient care. It is projected to create about 1,000 jobs for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals within its first three years of operation .

Current Primary Care Options

While the new hospital is under construction, Selma currently has local options for primary and preventive care. Total Health Primary Care, PLLC is a family care center located in Selma that focuses on a holistic approach to health. They provide comprehensive preventive health and wellness services, including chronic disease management for conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, same-day urgent care, and various specialty services such as allergy immunotherapy, IV therapy, and osteopathic manipulation . This practice serves as a key healthcare resource for the immediate community .

Nearby Hospitals and Medical Centers

For more immediate or specialized hospital needs, residents have access to major medical centers in nearby San Antonio. This includes the main University Hospital in the South Texas Medical Center, which offers the highest level of specialized care, including Level I trauma care and organ transplantation . Other major hospital systems with multiple locations in the San Antonio area include Baptist Health System and Methodist Healthcare, providing comprehensive surgical, emergency, and specialty services.

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