Poteau, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Poteau, Oklahoma had a total population of 8,959, the 49th largest city in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $50,511, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Poteau Quick Facts
How Poteau 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 | 8,903 | 8,959 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $49,789 | $50,511 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $142,400 | $157,400 | +10.5% |
How Poteau 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Poteau Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in Le Flore County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Panama | 1,415 | $47,136 | 29.0% | $124,800 |
| 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 Poteau
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sallisaw | 8,605 | $48,036 | $134,100 | 14.4% | 29.4% |
| Skiatook | 8,632 | $57,480 | $182,600 | 23.4% | 13.4% |
| Pryor Creek | 9,569 | $44,839 | $166,400 | 18.4% | 20.5% |
| Cushing | 8,367 | $44,136 | $114,500 | 15.9% | 22.0% |
| Clinton | 8,388 | $58,207 | $119,400 | 20.5% | 19.3% |
Population Overview
Poteau is a small city located in Oklahoma, within Le Flore County. The total population is 8,959. It ranks as the 49th most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in Poteau is 36.0 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Poteau is $50,511. This is 22% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.8%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $157,400. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $199,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 62.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Poteau is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.2%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 6.8%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
16.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 80.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Poteau, 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 Poteau, Oklahoma?
Poteau, Oklahoma has a population of 8,959 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Poteau, OK?
The median household income in Poteau is $50,511, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Poteau, OK?
The poverty rate in Poteau is 19.8%. This means approximately 1,673 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Poteau, Oklahoma?
Poteau's population is 65.3% White, 1.3% Black, 15.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Poteau, OK?
The median home value in Poteau is $157,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Poteau, Oklahoma?
16.4% of adults (25+) in Poteau hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.