Selmer, Tennessee

History

The community is named after Selma, Alabama. It incorporated in 1901.

On June 16, 2007, a Pro Modified drag racing 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."Lawsuits over parade accident cripple charity" 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."The Independent Appeal newspaper - March 5, 2008 Grand Jury indicts driver in Cars for Kids tragedy; NO festival this year" Troy Critchley pleaded guilty to 28 charges of reckless assault and was sentenced to 18 months' probation.

On April 3, 2025, an EF3 tornado struck the city in the early hours, killing five people and injuring fourteen others. The city lost an estimated $27.6 million 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 city has a total area of 9.8 sqmi, 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 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

|Jan record high F = 78 |Feb record high F = 84 |Mar record high F = 89 |Apr record high F = 92 |May record high F = 96 |Jun record high F = 107 |Jul record high F = 106 |Aug record high F = 107 |Sep record high F = 101 |Oct record high F = 97 |Nov record high F = 87 |Dec record high F = 77 |year record high F = 107 |Jan record low F = -21 |Feb record low F = −11 |Mar record low F = 7 |Apr record low F = 22 |May record low F = 29 |Jun record low F = 39 |Jul record low F = 47 |Aug record low F = 45 |Sep record low F = 30 |Oct record low F = 22 |Nov record low F = 5 |Dec record low F = −14 |year record low F = -21 | access-date = September 25, 2021}} | access-date = September 25, 2021}}

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 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.

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 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 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 5002 ft runway, and at 610 ft above sea level. The UN/LOCODE 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
• WWGM 93.9 Mix ;AM station
• WDTM 1150 Southern Gospel

Notable people

• Ray Bodiford, Tennessee politician
• Chad Harville, baseball pitcher who pitched for four teams over parts of six seasons
• 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.

References

References

1. "Selmer | MTAS".
2. [http://www.state.tn.us/sos/bluebook/05-06/48-data.pdf Tennessee Blue Book], 2005-2006, pp. 618-625.
3. [http://www.tnhistoryforkids.org/local/mcnairy McNairy County] {{Webarchive. link. (February 22, 2013 , Tennessee History for Kids. Retrieved: February 4, 2013.)
4. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau.
5. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
6. (October 25, 2007). "US Board on Geographic Names". [[United States Geological Survey]].
7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
8. "Cars for Kids™️".
9. (July 30, 2016). "Crash victim’s family sues city, claims Memphis police didn’t follow procedures".
10. (March 2018)
11. (September 7, 2011). "Selmer Discusses Cars for Kids Settlement". WBBJ News.
12. ""Tennessee Department of Safety - Race car driver indicted by special Grand Jury"".
13. (14 August 2008). "Drag racer pleads guilty in Tenn. parade deaths".
14. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
15. "Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses". [[United States Census Bureau]].
16. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". U.S. Census Bureau.
17. "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau.
18. "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Selmer town, Tennessee".
19. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Selmer town, Tennessee".
20. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Selmer town, Tennessee".
21. "Independent Appeal Moves to Online Only Format". Independent Appeal.