Bessie, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bessie, Oklahoma had a total population of 262, the 500th largest town in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $47,500, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 6.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.8% is notably above the national average.
Bessie Quick Facts
How Bessie 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 | 275 | 262 | -4.7% |
| Median household income | $49,000 | $47,500 | -3.1% |
| Median home value | $79,000 | $82,500 | +4.4% |
How Bessie 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bessie Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in Washita County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Cordell | 2,740 | $73,107 | 10.1% | $106,600 |
| Burns Flat | 1,857 | $45,446 | 25.7% | $106,600 |
| Sentinel | 939 | $120,227 | 16.7% | $108,000 |
| Corn | 601 | $58,657 | 13.9% | $126,300 |
| Canute | 544 | $57,813 | 16.9% | $99,000 |
| Dill City | 333 | $42,625 | 25.8% | $47,500 |
| Rocky | 239 | $60,000 | 5.0% | $69,000 |
| Foss | 170 | $46,250 | 30.0% | $82,800 |
| Colony | 104 | $43,750 | 9.6% | $162,500 |
Cities Similar to Bessie
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinlan | 262 | N/A | N/A | 68.7% | 0.0% |
| Cloud Creek | 266 | N/A | N/A | 24.3% | 42.5% |
| Grand Lake Towne | 271 | N/A | $270,100 | 10.4% | 42.1% |
| Christie | 252 | N/A | $172,300 | 10.9% | 36.9% |
| North Miami | 268 | $45,625 | $62,300 | 8.4% | 21.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 262, Bessie's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Bessie is a small community located in Oklahoma, within Washita County. The total population is 262. It ranks as the 500th most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bessie is 32.8 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 37.0 years. With 29.0% of the population under 18, Bessie has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bessie is $47,500. This is 27% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.3%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.3%. The unemployment rate is 11.8%. This is 136% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $82,500. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $199,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Bessie is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 87.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bessie is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (19.1% vs 12.7%).
Education
6.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 95.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bessie, 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 Bessie, Oklahoma?
Bessie, Oklahoma has a population of 262 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bessie, OK?
The median household income in Bessie is $47,500, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bessie, OK?
The poverty rate in Bessie is 18.3%. This means approximately 48 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bessie, Oklahoma?
Bessie's population is 71.8% White, 0.0% Black, 19.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bessie, OK?
The median home value in Bessie is $82,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Bessie, Oklahoma?
6.8% of adults (25+) in Bessie hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.