In 1964, a hospital for lepers had been built in Finote Selam by the private fund "Swedish Aid to Leprous Children in Ethiopia".

[8] The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) announced they received "credible reports of strikes and shelling, including from Debre Birhan, Finote Selam, and Bure, resulting in many civilian casualties and damage to residential areas and public spaces".

[9] Based on the 2007 national census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), this town had a total population of 25,913, of whom 13,035 were male and 12,878 female.

Finote Selam and the neighbouring woredas are known for production of teff, maize, peppers, beans and chickpeas, fruit and vegetables.

[12] Prominent people from Finote Selam include scientist Segenet Kelemu and artist Yhunie Belay.