Alva, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Alva, Oklahoma had a total population of 4,982, the 76th largest city in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $40,709, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 39.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Oklahoma.
Alva Quick Facts
How Alva 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 | 5,009 | 4,982 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $41,728 | $40,709 | -2.4% |
| Median home value | $132,500 | $133,600 | +0.8% |
How Alva 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Alva Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in Woods County
Cities Similar to Alva
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sayre | 4,796 | $41,227 | $77,400 | 5.3% | 43.8% |
| Hugo | 5,182 | $33,917 | $96,300 | 11.3% | 29.9% |
| Vinita | 5,300 | $47,025 | $96,200 | 12.8% | 21.8% |
| Anadarko | 5,572 | $43,105 | $89,300 | 12.2% | 24.5% |
| Henryetta | 5,608 | $45,259 | $88,600 | 13.0% | 30.3% |
Population Overview
Alva is a small community located in Oklahoma, within Woods County. The total population is 4,982. It ranks as the 76th most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in Alva is 28.3 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 37.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Alva is $40,709. This is 37% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.9%. This is 69% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $133,600. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $199,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 50.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Alva is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.1%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 6.8%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
39.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Alva in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 39% higher 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 91.8%. Notably, 15.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Alva, 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 Alva, Oklahoma?
Alva, Oklahoma has a population of 4,982 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Alva, OK?
The median household income in Alva is $40,709, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Alva, OK?
The poverty rate in Alva is 25.9%. This means approximately 1,145 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Alva, Oklahoma?
Alva's population is 81.0% White, 2.4% Black, 10.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Alva, OK?
The median home value in Alva is $133,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Alva, Oklahoma?
39.5% of adults (25+) in Alva hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.