Wister, Oklahoma Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wister, Oklahoma had a total population of 1,105, the 222nd largest town in Oklahoma, with a median household income of $36,607, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Wister Quick Facts
How Wister 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 | 1,103 | 1,105 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $35,655 | $36,607 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $93,200 | $106,500 | +14.3% |
How Wister 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+)
Wister Rankings in Oklahoma
Explore Oklahoma Rankings
Other Cities in Le Flore County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home 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 |
| Panama | 1,415 | $47,136 | 29.0% | $124,800 |
| 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 Wister
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Konawa | 1,076 | $33,789 | $53,800 | 15.0% | 24.6% |
| Fairfax | 1,076 | $40,000 | $59,300 | 15.5% | 24.7% |
| Hydro | 1,157 | $40,341 | $155,100 | 24.4% | 13.6% |
| Boise City | 1,125 | $43,393 | $67,100 | 11.7% | 10.4% |
| Salina | 1,148 | $42,596 | $98,300 | 13.3% | 32.6% |
Population Overview
Wister is a small community located in Oklahoma, within Le Flore County. The total population is 1,105. It ranks as the 222nd most populous out of 834 Census-designated places in Oklahoma.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wister is 35.9 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wister is $36,607. This is 44% lower than the state median of $65,039. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.3%. This is 65% 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 4.5%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $106,500. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $199,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Wister is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 65.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wister is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.5%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.
Education
7.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 84.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wister, 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 Wister, Oklahoma?
Wister, Oklahoma has a population of 1,105 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wister, OK?
The median household income in Wister is $36,607, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wister, OK?
The poverty rate in Wister is 25.3%. This means approximately 279 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wister, Oklahoma?
Wister's population is 66.9% White, 0.1% Black, 7.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wister, OK?
The median home value in Wister is $106,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Wister, Oklahoma?
7.5% of adults (25+) in Wister hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.