According to Localbusinessexplorer.com, Selma, California is located in Fresno County in the Central Valley of California. It is situated at the intersection of Highways 99 and 43, about 15 miles southeast of Fresno. The city has a total area of 6.3 square miles and lies at an elevation of 339 feet above sea level.
Selma is located on the banks of the Kings River and lies within the San Joaquin Valley, a region known for its fertile soil and agricultural production. The climate in Selma is mild with hot summers and cool winters. On average, temperatures range from 41 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year with low humidity levels throughout most months.
The topography surrounding Selma is mostly flat with rolling hills to the east towards the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Agriculture plays an important role in Selma’s economy with local farmers growing crops such as grapes, peaches, nectarines, almonds, pistachios and walnuts. Additionally, livestock such as beef cattle are also raised in Selma’s rural areas.
Selma’s downtown area consists mainly of small businesses that cater to local residents as well as visitors from nearby cities such as Fresno or Bakersfield who come to enjoy its unique shops and eateries. There are several parks located around town including Bear Mountain Park which has a playground, picnic tables and a walking trail that winds through nearby orange groves; while Elwood Park offers basketball courts, baseball diamonds and soccer fields for recreational activities.
Overall, Selma offers many amenities for its residents including quality schools within its district boundaries along with numerous churches providing spiritual guidance; while also providing easy access to larger cities like Fresno for those seeking employment or entertainment opportunities outside their hometown’s borders.
History of Selma, California
Selma, California has a rich and storied history that dates back to the mid-1800s. Originally inhabited by the Yokut Native American tribe, the area was first settled by European settlers in 1853. The city was founded in 1872 and was named after Selma, Alabama, which was a major center of civil rights activism during that time.
The primary industry in Selma during its early days was agriculture with local farmers growing crops such as grapes, peaches, nectarines, almonds and walnuts. The town also became an important stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad line which connected San Francisco to Los Angeles at the turn of the century.
Throughout much of the 20th century, Selma remained a small agricultural community with a population of just over 1,000 people in 1950. However, this changed drastically over the next few decades as new businesses began to move into town bringing more jobs and economic growth to the area.
In 1965, Selma made national headlines when it became one of several cities across California that experienced civil unrest due to racial tensions between African Americans and white residents. This resulted in several days of rioting and looting until order was eventually restored by state authorities.
Today, Selma is a thriving city with a population of nearly 25,000 people and is home to several large businesses including Foster Farms Poultry Plant which employs over 1,500 workers; while also serving as an important center for agricultural production within Fresno County. The city also boasts numerous parks such as Bear Mountain Park where visitors can enjoy walking trails or take part in recreational activities like baseball or basketball; while Elwood Park offers soccer fields for those looking to get some exercise outdoors.
Economy of Selma, California
Selma, California is a thriving city with a population of nearly 25,000 people and an economy that is largely based on agriculture and industry. The city’s largest employer is Foster Farms Poultry Plant which employs over 1,500 workers and plays an important role in the production of poultry products within Fresno County. Other major employers in the area include Selma Unified School District, Sierra View Medical Center, and Sierra View Care Center.
Agriculture continues to be a major economic driver in Selma as local farmers grow crops such as grapes, peaches, nectarines, almonds and walnuts. Additionally, several fruit orchards are located throughout the city providing fresh produce to local markets and restaurants.
In addition to agriculture and industry, Selma also offers many services including banking institutions such as Bank of America; medical facilities like Valley Children’s Hospital; retail stores like Walmart; and restaurants like El Pollo Loco. There are also numerous recreational activities available for both residents and visitors alike including parks such as Bear Mountain Park where visitors can enjoy walking trails or take part in recreational activities like baseball or basketball; while Elwood Park offers soccer fields for those looking to get some exercise outdoors.
Overall, Selma has a strong economy that is driven by both agriculture and industry which provide jobs for its citizens while also offering plenty of services for its residents. The city is home to numerous businesses ranging from banks to restaurants which allow locals to shop locally while providing employment opportunities for those seeking employment or entertainment opportunities outside their hometown’s borders.
Politics in Selma, California
Selma, California is a city with a population of nearly 25,000 people and a political system that is largely based on the local government. The city is governed by an elected mayor and council members who are responsible for making decisions about the city’s budget, infrastructure projects, and other policies. The mayor serves as the head of government and is elected every four years by the citizens of Selma. The council members are also elected every four years and serve as representatives for their individual districts within the city.
In addition to its local government, Selma also has representation in state government with two assemblymembers in the California State Assembly who represent it in Sacramento. On the federal level, Selma is represented by one member in Congress who represents all of Fresno County, including Selma.
Selma has an open primary voting system which allows all registered voters within the city to vote for any candidate regardless of their political party affiliation or any other factor. This system ensures that candidates from different parties can compete against each other for office without being limited to candidates from just one party.
Selma has several political organizations which advocate for various issues within the community such as environmental protection, public safety, economic development, and education reform. These organizations often host events such as town hall meetings or forums which provide citizens with an opportunity to voice their opinions on important issues facing their community. Additionally, these organizations often work closely with local officials to ensure that their voices are heard when making important decisions about policy or legislation.
Overall, politics in Selma are largely driven by its citizens through local elections and advocacy efforts from various political organizations which strive to make sure that all voices within the community are heard when it comes time to make decisions about policy or legislation that will affect them directly or indirectly.