Nowata, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nowata, Oklahoma had a total population of 3,542, the 94th largest city in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $47,776, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Nowata Quick Facts
How Nowata 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 | 3,522 | 3,542 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $39,853 | $47,776 | +19.9% |
| Median home value | $84,200 | $89,900 | +6.8% |
How Nowata 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+)
Nowata Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in Nowata County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Coffeyville | 684 | $56,875 | 14.5% | $102,700 |
| Delaware | 301 | $40,000 | 28.3% | $41,400 |
| Lenapah | 276 | $58,750 | 17.5% | $57,000 |
| Wann | 87 | $56,250 | 10.3% | $76,700 |
| New Alluwe | 42 | $36,071 | 28.6% | $54,000 |
| Watova | 35 | $31,250 | 14.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Nowata
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick | 3,445 | $44,595 | $89,300 | 15.8% | 25.0% |
| Roland | 3,687 | $51,754 | $139,800 | 8.9% | 18.3% |
| Dewey | 3,412 | $42,695 | $119,000 | 15.6% | 23.0% |
| Muldrow | 3,309 | $45,067 | $114,300 | 13.3% | 19.2% |
| Park Hill | 3,237 | $47,064 | $174,400 | 22.2% | 23.7% |
Population Overview
Nowata is a small community located in Oklahoma, within Nowata County. The total population is 3,542. It ranks as the 94th most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nowata is 37.8 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 37.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Nowata is $47,776. 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 25.5%. This is 66% 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 7.8%. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $89,900. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $199,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Nowata is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Nowata is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.9%. The Black or African American population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 6.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 12.7%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
13.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 90.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nowata, 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 Nowata, Oklahoma?
Nowata, Oklahoma has a population of 3,542 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nowata, OK?
The median household income in Nowata is $47,776, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nowata, OK?
The poverty rate in Nowata is 25.5%. This means approximately 870 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nowata, Oklahoma?
Nowata's population is 63.8% White, 3.3% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nowata, OK?
The median home value in Nowata is $89,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Nowata, Oklahoma?
13.2% of adults (25+) in Nowata hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.