Okemah, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Okemah, Oklahoma had a total population of 3,063, the 110th largest city in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $32,386, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (38.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
Okemah Quick Facts
How Okemah 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 | 3,058 | 3,063 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $32,232 | $32,386 | +0.5% |
| Median home value | $65,000 | $79,300 | +22.0% |
How Okemah 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+)
Okemah Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in Okfuskee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boley | 1,209 | $26,250 | 53.4% | $49,000 |
| Weleetka | 949 | $42,292 | 31.2% | $60,800 |
| Paden | 391 | $47,273 | 15.5% | $85,900 |
| Castle | 165 | $77,829 | 7.4% | $209,900 |
| Welty | 162 | $71,250 | 6.8% | $220,000 |
| Bearden | 136 | $106,250 | 5.1% | $167,500 |
| Clearview | 40 | $28,750 | 37.5% | $60,000 |
| IXL | 36 | N/A | 19.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Okemah
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavener | 3,012 | $34,408 | $59,200 | 8.7% | 33.0% |
| Checotah | 3,064 | $37,042 | $124,900 | 10.7% | 18.8% |
| Wewoka | 3,091 | $37,986 | $63,300 | 9.1% | 28.5% |
| Hobart | 3,358 | $33,051 | $71,100 | 11.6% | 30.1% |
| Perkins | 3,262 | $35,456 | $172,200 | 21.1% | 32.0% |
Population Overview
Okemah is a small community located in Oklahoma, within Okfuskee County. The total population is 3,063. It ranks as the 110th most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in Okemah is 36.5 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 37.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Okemah is $32,386. This is 50% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 38.6%. This is 151% 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 1.5%. This is 70% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $79,300. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $199,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Okemah is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 40.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Okemah is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 6.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
11.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 83.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Okemah, 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 Okemah, Oklahoma?
Okemah, Oklahoma has a population of 3,063 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Okemah, OK?
The median household income in Okemah is $32,386, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Okemah, OK?
The poverty rate in Okemah is 38.6%. This means approximately 1,123 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Okemah, Oklahoma?
Okemah's population is 59.2% White, 2.3% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Okemah, OK?
The median home value in Okemah is $79,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Okemah, Oklahoma?
11.9% of adults (25+) in Okemah hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.