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Panama, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 29.0% is well above the state average

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Panama, Oklahoma had a total population of 1,415, the 185th largest town in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $47,136, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.0%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Panama Quick Facts

Population 1,415
Median Household Income $47,136
Median Home Value $124,800
Poverty Rate 29.0%
Unemployment Rate 6.2%
Median Age 31.5 years
Homeownership Rate 65.4%
Affordability Ratio 2.6x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 7.0%
High School Graduation Rate 87.8%
Diversity Index 52/100
Population 1,415 185th of 834
Median Income $47,136 below average
Poverty Rate 29.0% 133% higher than national
Median Home Value $124,800 above average

How Panama Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population1,4321,415-1.2%
Median household income$45,489$47,136+3.6%
Median home value$121,100$124,800+3.1%

How Panama Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 27.4%
$25K-$50K 26.0%
$50K-$100K 35.8%
$100K+ 10.8%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.4%
$10K-$15K
12.8%
$15K-$20K
3.4%
$20K-$25K
5.7%
$25K-$30K
2.5%
$30K-$35K
8.8%
$35K-$40K
2.4%
$40K-$45K
1.0%
$45K-$50K
11.3%
$50K-$60K
3.4%
$60K-$75K
9.3%
$75K-$100K
23.1%
$100K-$125K
6.9%
$125K-$150K
3.4%
$150K-$200K
0.0%
$200K+
0.5%

Employment

6.2% Unemployment Rate State: 5.0%|National: 5.2%
56.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 65.4%
Renter 34.6%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.6x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $776/mo 19.8% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

52out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 58 | National average: 61

Education

Panama Rankings in Oklahoma

#185 Population of 834
#453 Median Income of 716
#670 Education of 833
#281 Home Value of 723

Other Cities in Le Flore County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Poteau 8,959 $50,511 19.8% $157,400
Pocola 4,423 $50,545 17.3% $151,100
Heavener 3,012 $34,408 33.0% $59,200
Spiro 2,269 $41,848 20.6% $100,700
Arkoma 1,976 $43,929 22.1% $83,600
Wister 1,105 $36,607 25.3% $106,500
Shady Point 900 $52,375 24.3% $104,700
Talihina 864 $40,500 22.2% $72,000
Howe 791 $52,031 30.4% $108,600
Rock Island 684 $45,114 28.1% $134,700

Cities Similar to Panama

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Locust Grove1,453$49,398$106,90012.7%18.1%
Vian1,435$41,250$115,60010.0%24.2%
Rush Springs1,299$45,125$85,70013.5%25.6%
Carnegie1,521$43,839$79,60014.4%21.6%
Copeland1,401$57,558$123,50013.0%16.1%

Population Overview

Panama is a small community located in Oklahoma, within Le Flore County. The total population is 1,415. It ranks as the 185th most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.

Age Demographics

The median age in Panama is 31.5 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.0 years. With 29.0% of the population under 18, Panama has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Panama is $47,136. This is 28% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.0%. This is 89% 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 6.2%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $124,800. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $199,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Panama is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Panama is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.1%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 6.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.1%) is well below the state average of 12.7%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

7.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 87.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Panama, 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 Panama, Oklahoma?

Panama, Oklahoma has a population of 1,415 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Panama, OK?

The median household income in Panama is $47,136, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Panama, OK?

The poverty rate in Panama is 29.0%. This means approximately 408 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Panama, Oklahoma?

Panama's population is 66.1% White, 0.1% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.

What is the median home value in Panama, OK?

The median home value in Panama is $124,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.

How educated is Panama, Oklahoma?

7.0% of adults (25+) in Panama hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.