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Sallisaw, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 29.4% is well above the state average

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sallisaw, Oklahoma had a total population of 8,605, the 52nd largest city in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $48,036, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.4%.

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

Key Takeaways

Sallisaw Quick Facts

Population 8,605
Median Household Income $48,036
Median Home Value $134,100
Poverty Rate 29.4%
Unemployment Rate 4.8%
Median Age 35.8 years
Homeownership Rate 53.9%
Affordability Ratio 2.8x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 14.4%
High School Graduation Rate 83.4%
Diversity Index 61/100
Population 8,605 52nd of 834
Median Income $48,036 below average
Poverty Rate 29.4% 137% higher than national
Median Home Value $134,100 above average

How Sallisaw 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
Population8,5538,605+0.6%
Median household income$47,333$48,036+1.5%
Median home value$123,500$134,100+8.6%

How Sallisaw Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 29.7%
$25K-$50K 22.7%
$50K-$100K 29.5%
$100K+ 18.1%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
7.9%
$10K-$15K
8.8%
$15K-$20K
4.0%
$20K-$25K
8.9%
$25K-$30K
5.1%
$30K-$35K
3.7%
$35K-$40K
5.2%
$40K-$45K
4.9%
$45K-$50K
3.8%
$50K-$60K
8.2%
$60K-$75K
10.6%
$75K-$100K
10.7%
$100K-$125K
7.2%
$125K-$150K
4.3%
$150K-$200K
3.8%
$200K+
2.8%

Employment

4.8% Unemployment Rate State: 5.0%|National: 5.2%
53.0% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 53.9%
Renter 46.1%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.8x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $826/mo 20.6% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

61out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 58 | National average: 61

Education

Sallisaw Rankings in Oklahoma

#52 Population of 834
#439 Median Income of 716
#394 Education of 833
#252 Home Value of 723

Other Cities in Sequoyah County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Roland 3,687 $51,754 18.3% $139,800
Muldrow 3,309 $45,067 19.2% $114,300
Vian 1,435 $41,250 24.2% $115,600
Gore 1,114 $63,036 19.2% $205,200
Brushy 777 $66,429 12.3% $149,200
Redbird Smith 659 $61,316 11.7% $87,900
Nicut 609 $36,164 66.1% $66,400
Brent 583 $87,596 3.8% $190,600
Remy 580 $130,658 3.1% $237,800
Evening Shade 489 $39,875 8.4% $155,700

Cities Similar to Sallisaw

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Poteau8,959$50,511$157,40016.4%19.8%
Cushing8,367$44,136$114,50015.9%22.0%
Skiatook8,632$57,480$182,60023.4%13.4%
Clinton8,388$58,207$119,40020.5%19.3%
Pryor Creek9,569$44,839$166,40018.4%20.5%

Population Overview

Sallisaw is a small city located in Oklahoma, within Sequoyah County. The total population is 8,605. It ranks as the 52nd most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sallisaw is 35.8 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.0 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, Sallisaw has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Sallisaw is $48,036. This is 26% 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 29.4%. This is 92% 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 4.8%. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $134,100. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $199,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Sallisaw is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 65.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Sallisaw is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.0%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 6.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.0%) is well below the state average of 12.7%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.

Education

14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 83.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Sallisaw, 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 Sallisaw, Oklahoma?

Sallisaw, Oklahoma has a population of 8,605 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Sallisaw, OK?

The median household income in Sallisaw is $48,036, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Sallisaw, OK?

The poverty rate in Sallisaw is 29.4%. This means approximately 2,446 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Sallisaw, Oklahoma?

Sallisaw's population is 57.2% White, 1.6% Black, 6.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.

What is the median home value in Sallisaw, OK?

The median home value in Sallisaw is $134,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.

How educated is Sallisaw, Oklahoma?

14.4% of adults (25+) in Sallisaw hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.