McAlester, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, McAlester, Oklahoma had a total population of 18,111, the 30th largest city in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $51,930, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
McAlester Quick Facts
How McAlester 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 | 18,098 | 18,111 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $48,044 | $51,930 | +8.1% |
| Median home value | $137,500 | $151,600 | +10.3% |
How McAlester 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+)
McAlester Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in Pittsburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longtown | 2,716 | $56,333 | 15.1% | $184,200 |
| Krebs | 2,119 | $45,893 | 19.8% | $106,100 |
| Hartshorne | 1,642 | $39,630 | 23.6% | $90,300 |
| Quinton | 953 | $40,962 | 25.3% | $79,900 |
| Kiowa | 658 | $46,250 | 24.9% | $82,000 |
| Haileyville | 614 | $48,036 | 15.3% | $79,200 |
| Savanna | 485 | $55,156 | 14.6% | $103,300 |
| Arpelar | 312 | $87,750 | 17.6% | $124,000 |
| Crowder | 307 | $55,278 | 20.5% | $120,600 |
| Bug Tussle | 265 | $84,911 | 0.0% | $161,600 |
Cities Similar to McAlester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altus | 18,646 | $55,295 | $152,200 | 23.9% | 17.4% |
| El Reno | 18,557 | $56,219 | $165,900 | 16.3% | 19.3% |
| Tahlequah | 16,935 | $49,581 | $185,400 | 34.4% | 18.4% |
| Ada | 16,575 | $53,507 | $169,300 | 30.6% | 16.1% |
| Chickasha | 16,539 | $54,111 | $130,300 | 21.5% | 17.5% |
Population Overview
McAlester is a small city located in Oklahoma, within Pittsburg County. The total population is 18,111. It ranks as the 30th most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in McAlester is 35.6 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 37.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McAlester is $51,930. This is 20% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.7%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $151,600. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $199,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, McAlester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in McAlester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.4%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
21.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 84.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for McAlester, 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 McAlester, Oklahoma?
McAlester, Oklahoma has a population of 18,111 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in McAlester, OK?
The median household income in McAlester is $51,930, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in McAlester, OK?
The poverty rate in McAlester is 19.7%. This means approximately 3,164 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of McAlester, Oklahoma?
McAlester's population is 63.8% White, 4.9% Black, 7.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in McAlester, OK?
The median home value in McAlester is $151,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is McAlester, Oklahoma?
21.0% of adults (25+) in McAlester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.