Selma ZIP Codes — Josephine County, OR

There is one unique ZIP code in Selma, Oregon and it is 97538. Area code: 541.

ZIP codes

191.19

sq mi land

0.22

sq mi water

541

area code

Selma, OR ZIP code map

About Selma, OR

Selma is a small, picturesque community located in southern Oregon, within the heart of Josephine County. Nestled among the beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, it offers a tranquil atmosphere that attracts nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its close-knit community and stunning surrounding scenery, Selma serves as an excellent example of rural Oregon charm.

Location & geography

Selma is situated approximately 25 miles west of Medford and about 12 miles east of Cave Junction. The area is characterized by its diverse terrain, featuring lush forests, rolling hills, and scenic valleys. Additionally, Selma encompasses a total land area of 191.19 square miles with a water area of 0.22 square miles, contributing to its serene environment.

Community & economy

The character of Selma is enhanced by its friendly residents and a strong sense of community, making it an inviting place for visitors. The local economy largely revolves around agriculture, timber, and tourism, with residents often engaged in outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping. Daily life in Selma reflects a slower pace, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city living.

Transportation

Selma is accessible via Highway 199, which connects the city to nearby towns and cities. The nearest major airport is the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, located about 25 miles to the east. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of travel for residents and visitors.

History

The founding of Selma dates back to the late 19th century, when it began as a small settlement amidst the area's rich natural resources. Key industries included timber and agriculture, which attracted early settlers looking for opportunity and land. Over the years, Selma has maintained its rural roots while also becoming a destination for those seeking to experience the beauty of southern Oregon.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Selma is its proximity to the legendary Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, which is just a short drive away. This natural wonder features stunning marble caves and attracts visitors from all over the country.

ZIP codes for Selma, OR (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
97538	Selma	Josephine	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,113

Population

40.4

Median age

$42,083

Median household income

$25,195

Per capita income

$292,900

Median home value

$768

Median monthly rent

92.4%

Home ownership

21.7%

Poverty rate

9.9%

Unemployment

935

Housing units

17.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

112

10–14

114

15–19

20–24

128

25–34

130

163

35–44

164

45–54

118

55–59

119

60–64

123

65–74

124

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	530	25.1%
18 and over	1,583	74.9%
65 and over	443	21.0%
Median age	40.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.9%

Two or more races 5.8%

Asian 1.4%

Hispanic or Latino 0.9%

Group	Count	%
White	1,960	91.9%
Two or more races	123	5.8%
Asian	30	1.4%
Hispanic or Latino	20	0.9%

Household income

Under $10k 7.3%

$10k–$15k 6.2%

$15k–$25k 13.8%

$25k–$35k 5.1%

$35k–$50k 19.5%

$50k–$75k 18.0%

$75k–$100k 20.5%

$100k–$150k 2.3%

$150k–$200k 2.2%

$200k+ 5.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	7.3%
$10k–$15k	6.2%
$15k–$25k	13.8%
$25k–$35k	5.1%
$35k–$50k	19.5%
$50k–$75k	18.0%
$75k–$100k	20.5%
$100k–$150k	2.3%
$150k–$200k	2.2%
$200k+	5.2%
Median income	$42,083

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.4%

$150k–$200k 17.4%

$200k–$300k 28.7%

$300k–$500k 29.8%

$500k–$1M 13.9%

$1M+ 4.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$292,900
Median rent / month	$768
Owner occupied	92.4%
Renter occupied	7.6%
Vacant	21.1%
Single-family detached	72.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	22.8%
Median rooms	5.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.78

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	5.1%
2000–2009	20.3%
1990–1999	16.4%
1980–1989	17.0%
1970–1979	18.4%
1960–1969	8.9%
1950–1959	0.8%
1940–1949	9.9%
1939 or earlier	3.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	5.1%
1 bedroom	8.4%
2 bedrooms	28.5%
3 bedrooms	43.7%
4 bedrooms	11.8%
5+ bedrooms	2.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.0%
1 vehicle	21.9%
2 vehicles	26.8%
3 or more	51.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.2%
Electricity	56.8%
Propane / LP gas	3.9%
Wood	37.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	516	65.7%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	114	14.5%
Female householder, no spouse	155	19.7%
Households with children under 18	274	34.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	325	41.4%
Average household size	2.69

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	16.2%	6.8%
Married	68.2%	71.6%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	4.2%	12.8%
Divorced	11.4%	8.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.8%

Some HS, no diploma 9.0%

HS graduate 26.2%

Some college, no degree 35.3%

Associate's degree 11.0%

Bachelor's degree 13.8%

Graduate / professional 4.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.2%
Bachelor's or higher	17.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	19	4.6%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	326	78.4%
High school	62	14.9%
College / grad school	9	2.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 40.8%

Agriculture & mining 15.0%

Construction 13.7%

Retail trade 8.1%

Manufacturing 8.0%

Public administration 4.7%

Other services 3.7%

Professional & management 2.5%

Transportation & utilities 2.1%

Wholesale trade 1.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	68.6%
Service	5.9%
Sales & office	9.1%
Natural resources & construction	7.4%
Production & transportation	9.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	41.5%
Government	37.4%
Self-employed	21.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	82.5%
Carpool	9.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	31.8

Poverty

All people 21.7%

Under 18 years 36.2%

18 and over 16.9%

Married-couple families 16.3%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.6%
Retirement income	33.8%
Supplemental Security	11.3%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.6%
High cholesterol	36.9%
Heart disease	8.7%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	11.4%
Arthritis	30.2%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	9.5%
Cancer	8.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.6%
No physical activity	21.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.1%
Fair or poor health	17.5%
Poor mental health	15.3%
Poor physical health	13.2%
No health insurance	10.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.2%
Visited dentist	67.0%
Cholesterol screening	91.5%
Teeth loss	14.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	146	9.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	23.7%
Under 18	9.5%
18–64 years	14.1%
65 and over	65.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	49.9%
Public insurance	61.4%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,970	93.2%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,031	96.1%
Born in same state	2,021	95.6%
Born in different state	610	28.9%
Foreign born	10	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	82	3.9%
Not a US citizen	60	73.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	324	15.3%
French	283	13.4%
Polish	91	4.3%
German	44	2.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	25	1.2%
Arab	21	1%
Norwegian	13	0.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.2%
Internet access	97.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Selma, OR have?

Selma, OR has one ZIP code: 97538. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.