Altus, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Altus, Oklahoma had a total population of 18,646, the 28th largest city in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $55,295, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Altus Quick Facts
How Altus Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,670 | 18,646 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $55,550 | $55,295 | -0.5% |
| Median home value | $124,800 | $152,200 | +22.0% |
How Altus Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Altus Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blair | 585 | $49,063 | 18.4% | $88,900 |
| Olustee | 555 | $63,145 | 23.1% | $113,300 |
| Eldorado | 449 | $51,250 | 32.1% | $34,800 |
| East Duke | 313 | $67,917 | 2.2% | $89,400 |
| Martha | 134 | $64,375 | 29.8% | $107,100 |
| Headrick | 69 | $63,750 | 15.9% | $52,000 |
| Elmer | 59 | N/A | 6.8% | $104,200 |
| Friendship | 17 | $59,375 | 23.5% | $112,500 |
Cities Similar to Altus
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Reno | 18,557 | $56,219 | $165,900 | 16.3% | 19.3% |
| McAlester | 18,111 | $51,930 | $151,600 | 21.0% | 19.7% |
| Claremore | 20,166 | $58,685 | $188,700 | 22.2% | 12.1% |
| Bethany | 20,560 | $56,591 | $171,600 | 24.1% | 20.5% |
| Chickasha | 16,539 | $54,111 | $130,300 | 21.5% | 17.5% |
Population Overview
Altus is a small city located in Oklahoma, within Jackson County. The total population is 18,646. It ranks as the 28th most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in Altus is 33.7 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Altus is $55,295. This is 15% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $152,200. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $199,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Altus is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Altus is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (27.8% vs 12.7%).
Education
23.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% lower than the state rate of 28.3%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Altus, Oklahoma is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Oklahoma state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Altus, Oklahoma?
Altus, Oklahoma has a population of 18,646 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Altus, OK?
The median household income in Altus is $55,295, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Altus, OK?
The poverty rate in Altus is 17.4%. This means approximately 3,082 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Altus, Oklahoma?
Altus's population is 57.2% White, 7.2% Black, 27.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Altus, OK?
The median home value in Altus is $152,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Altus, Oklahoma?
23.9% of adults (25+) in Altus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.