CensusEasy
CITY

Poteau

Oklahoma · 9,171 residents (2025 est.) · 26.607 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Poteau has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $50,511. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $157,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 58%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,959
+13%since 2000
from 7,939 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
337 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 298 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.0
+4%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:9,171 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7K8K8K9K9K1990201020202024Poteau
20249K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,511
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,178 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,228
+60%since 2000
from $15,175 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
29.5%
+15.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.8%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 22.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.434
+2%since 2010
from 0.424 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information16%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade9.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade8.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance7.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing2.9%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$157,400
+58%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$853
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $385 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
62.3%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 66.4% in 2000
37.7% rent
Vacancy rate
11.4%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.4%
+10.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.8%
+12.8 ptssince 2009
from 36.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.1
+49%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
45
RELATED:See current rent listings in Poteau on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic78.3%(6,220)
Black2.2%(176)
Hispanic / Latino5.8%(462)
Asian0.3%(27)
Other0%
Diversity Score22.3%(1,773)
2024
White, non-Hispanic65.3%(5,847)
Black1.3%(114)
Hispanic / Latino15.2%(1,359)
Asian1.1%(101)
Other17.2%(1,538)
Diversity Score65.2%(5,838)
Diversity Score
65
+192%since 2000
from 22 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.4%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 16.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
80.4%
+9.9 ptssince 2000
from 70.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.4 min
+44%since 2000
from 14.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 82.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.2%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.4%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2011
from 6.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
50.7%
−7.1 ptssince 2011
from 57.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.5%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.7%
−30.4 ptssince 2009
from 60.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Foreign born
8.0%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.3%
−43.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2012
from 19.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
16.4%
−60.2 ptssince 2013
from 76.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.9%
+14.4 ptssince 2017
from 68.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
87.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 88.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
11.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 10.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Poteau

Georgetown
Pop 8,291
Seaford
Pop 9,165
Beverly Hills
Pop 9,650
Micco
Pop 8,896
Places similar to Poteau
Head to head

Compare Poteau to nearby cities

POTEAU VS
Greenwood
Income$66,844+32%
Home value$182,900+16%
Population9,793+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POTEAU VS
Fort Smith
Income$54,816+9%
Home value$178,100+13%
Population90,855+891%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POTEAU VS
Sallisaw
Income$48,036−5%
Home value$134,100−15%
Population8,790−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
POTEAU VS
Van Buren
Income$61,149+21%
Home value$181,500+15%
Population24,556+168%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Poteau, Oklahoma?

Poteau, Oklahoma has about 8,959 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Poteau, Oklahoma?

The typical household in Poteau, Oklahoma earns about $50,511 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Poteau, Oklahoma expensive?

In Poteau, Oklahoma, the median home is worth about $157,400, and the typical rent is about $853 a month.

How educated are people in Poteau, Oklahoma?

About 16.4% of adults age 25 and over in Poteau, Oklahoma hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Poteau, Oklahoma?

About 19.8% of people in Poteau, Oklahoma live below the federal poverty line.

Has Poteau, Oklahoma grown since 1990?

Yes, Poteau, Oklahoma has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,749 residents, a change of about 24 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
Oklahoma
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Poteau with another place

DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →