Broken Bow, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Broken Bow, Oklahoma had a total population of 4,226, the 86th largest city in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $39,895, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Broken Bow Quick Facts
How Broken Bow 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 | 4,215 | 4,226 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $50,744 | $39,895 | -21.4% |
| Median home value | $159,000 | $179,900 | +13.1% |
How Broken Bow 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+)
Broken Bow Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in McCurtain County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idabel | 6,987 | $43,295 | 25.1% | $134,800 |
| Valliant | 883 | $51,750 | 25.1% | $106,600 |
| Wright City | 538 | $41,964 | 19.9% | $64,300 |
| Eagletown | 440 | $37,039 | 20.4% | $178,600 |
| Hochatown | 298 | $118,929 | 0.0% | $330,600 |
| Haworth | 265 | $36,250 | 26.0% | $33,400 |
| Millerton | 206 | $40,313 | 12.1% | $72,900 |
| Garvin | 147 | $50,000 | 13.6% | $100,000 |
| Smithville | 93 | $33,618 | 19.4% | $28,500 |
| Golden | 32 | $60,500 | 12.5% | $80,000 |
Cities Similar to Broken Bow
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristow | 4,272 | $38,906 | $117,500 | 10.3% | 29.1% |
| Madill | 4,004 | $47,522 | $109,600 | 13.0% | 20.0% |
| Sayre | 4,796 | $41,227 | $77,400 | 5.3% | 43.8% |
| Stilwell | 3,755 | $37,292 | $101,600 | 7.4% | 34.2% |
| Pocola | 4,423 | $50,545 | $151,100 | 12.8% | 17.3% |
Population Overview
Broken Bow is a small community located in Oklahoma, within McCurtain County. The total population is 4,226. It ranks as the 86th most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in Broken Bow is 33.4 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 37.0 years. With 30.5% of the population under 18, Broken Bow has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Broken Bow is $39,895. This is 39% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.4%. This is 124% 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 1.6%. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $179,900. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $199,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 54.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Broken Bow is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 85.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Broken Bow, 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 Broken Bow, Oklahoma?
Broken Bow, Oklahoma has a population of 4,226 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Broken Bow, OK?
The median household income in Broken Bow is $39,895, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Broken Bow, OK?
The poverty rate in Broken Bow is 34.4%. This means approximately 1,430 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Broken Bow, Oklahoma?
Broken Bow's population is 55.3% White, 6.7% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Broken Bow, OK?
The median home value in Broken Bow is $179,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Broken Bow, Oklahoma?
17.0% of adults (25+) in Broken Bow hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.