C

Selmer, TN

Source:

Affordability Score: 55/100

Population: 9,251 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Selmer, TN aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 9,251 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C (55/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $53,597, median home value of $166,400, median rent of $670 per month, and 16.6% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $925 per month (studio $724, 1BR $742, 3BR $1,286, 4BR $1,442). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $6,811 per year, consuming 13% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Selmer, TN include rent. Pressure points are education. Unemployment currently reads 3.7% and poverty 18.3% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income D
$53,597
Median household income
Education F
16.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing C+
3.1x
Home value $166,400 vs income
Commute C+
23 min
Average commute time
Rent B+
$925/mo
2BR fair market rent (21% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C+
$6,811/yr
Center-based infant care (13% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$53,597
▼ 14% vs national
Per Capita Income
$29,849
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Poverty Rate
18.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
$166,400
▼ 39% vs national
Median Rent
$670/mo
Owner Occupied
76.6%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$925/mo
▼ 23% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$724
1BR
$742
2BR
$925
3BR
$1,286
4BR
$1,442

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
16.6%
▼ 13 ppt vs national
High School+
62.8%
Median Age
45.5
Avg. Commute
23 min
▼ 3 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$6,811/yr
13% of income
Toddler (Center)
$5,720/yr
Preschool (Center)
$5,720/yr
School-Age (Center)
$2,600/yr

What This Means

Selmer, TN receives an overall affordability grade of C (55/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 9,251. This area performs well in rent. Challenges include education. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Selmer ZIP Codes
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Selmer, TN affordable?
Selmer, TN receives an overall affordability grade of C (55/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $53,597. Median home value is $166,400.
What is the cost of living in Selmer?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $670/mo. 2BR fair market rent $925/mo. Infant childcare $6,811/yr. Median home value $166,400.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →