Tahlequah, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tahlequah, Oklahoma had a total population of 16,935, the 31st largest city in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $49,581, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 34.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Oklahoma.
Tahlequah Quick Facts
How Tahlequah 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 | 16,513 | 16,935 | +2.6% |
| Median household income | $48,515 | $49,581 | +2.2% |
| Median home value | $182,800 | $185,400 | +1.4% |
How Tahlequah 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+)
Tahlequah Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in Cherokee County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Hill | 3,237 | $47,064 | 23.7% | $174,400 |
| Grandview | 1,251 | $73,688 | 18.5% | $164,800 |
| Briggs | 1,131 | $47,250 | 28.4% | $111,900 |
| Moodys | 1,108 | $49,355 | 18.5% | $400,500 |
| Woodall | 1,050 | $58,571 | 19.0% | $221,800 |
| Keys | 982 | $38,600 | 32.2% | $130,200 |
| Cookson | 921 | $49,983 | 6.6% | $110,700 |
| Peggs | 858 | $61,731 | 22.1% | $108,800 |
| Lost City | 852 | $64,375 | 6.8% | $154,400 |
| Pettit | 816 | $59,054 | 7.5% | $148,200 |
Cities Similar to Tahlequah
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | 16,575 | $53,507 | $169,300 | 30.6% | 16.1% |
| Chickasha | 16,539 | $54,111 | $130,300 | 21.5% | 17.5% |
| McAlester | 18,111 | $51,930 | $151,600 | 21.0% | 19.7% |
| Altus | 18,646 | $55,295 | $152,200 | 23.9% | 17.4% |
| El Reno | 18,557 | $56,219 | $165,900 | 16.3% | 19.3% |
Population Overview
Tahlequah is a small city located in Oklahoma, within Cherokee County. The total population is 16,935. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tahlequah is 29.3 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 37.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tahlequah is $49,581. This is 24% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 15.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $185,400. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $199,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 40.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Tahlequah is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.8%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 6.8%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
34.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Tahlequah in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 21% higher 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 89.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tahlequah, 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 Tahlequah, Oklahoma?
Tahlequah, Oklahoma has a population of 16,935 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tahlequah, OK?
The median household income in Tahlequah is $49,581, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tahlequah, OK?
The poverty rate in Tahlequah is 18.4%. This means approximately 2,848 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tahlequah, Oklahoma?
Tahlequah's population is 45.4% White, 2.4% Black, 9.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tahlequah, OK?
The median home value in Tahlequah is $185,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Tahlequah, Oklahoma?
34.4% of adults (25+) in Tahlequah hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.