Cherokee, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cherokee, Oklahoma had a total population of 1,509, the 180th largest city in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $58,860, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Cherokee Quick Facts
How Cherokee 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 | 1,319 | 1,509 | +14.4% |
| Median household income | $55,417 | $58,860 | +6.2% |
| Median home value | $90,200 | $96,600 | +7.1% |
How Cherokee 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+)
Cherokee Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in Alfalfa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | 1,557 | $61,500 | 12.0% | $66,700 |
| Carmen | 336 | $37,143 | 34.2% | $52,700 |
| Goltry | 271 | $96,667 | 5.9% | $99,500 |
| Jet | 208 | $56,531 | 13.0% | $83,400 |
| Aline | 204 | $78,309 | 10.6% | $59,500 |
| Burlington | 138 | $56,875 | 21.0% | $107,800 |
| Nescatunga | 97 | N/A | 33.0% | $63,800 |
| Byron | 19 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Amorita | 7 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Lambert | 4 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cherokee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris | 1,555 | $58,716 | $114,800 | 18.9% | 16.3% |
| Crescent | 1,527 | $62,813 | $154,700 | 10.5% | 19.3% |
| Helena | 1,557 | $61,500 | $66,700 | 3.7% | 12.0% |
| Beaver | 1,586 | $56,078 | $154,000 | 17.7% | 18.2% |
| Minco | 1,607 | $61,000 | $145,900 | 17.4% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
Cherokee is a small community located in Oklahoma, within Alfalfa County. The total population is 1,509. It ranks as the 180th most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cherokee is 43.6 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 37.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cherokee is $58,860. This is 10% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.2%. This is 45% 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 6.1%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $96,600. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $199,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Cherokee is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cherokee has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.5%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
30.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 7% 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 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, Oklahoma?
Cherokee, Oklahoma has a population of 1,509 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cherokee, OK?
The median household income in Cherokee is $58,860, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cherokee, OK?
The poverty rate in Cherokee is 22.2%. This means approximately 327 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cherokee, Oklahoma?
Cherokee's population is 86.6% White, 0.0% Black, 6.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cherokee, OK?
The median home value in Cherokee is $96,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Cherokee, Oklahoma?
30.3% of adults (25+) in Cherokee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.