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CITY

Tahlequah

Oklahoma · 17,508 residents (2025 est.) · 12.766 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#322Youngest by median ageof 6,82629.3
The short version

Tahlequah has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $49,581. Population has grown 17% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $185,400. At a median age of 29.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 29.3
US median: 38.9
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 47%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,935
+17%since 2000
from 14,458 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,327 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 1,133 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
29.3
+11%since 2000
from 26.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:17,508 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
10K12K14K16K18K1990201020202024Tahlequah
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$49,581
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,238 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,232
+111%since 2000
from $13,371 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.6%
+22.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
18.4%
−7.9 ptssince 2000
from 26.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.471
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.469 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade4%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade3.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance2.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing1.6%
US avg: 0.4%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$185,400
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$835
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $399 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
40.2%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 42.4% in 2000
59.8% rent
Vacancy rate
10.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
38.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 39.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.7
+25%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
57
RELATED:See current rent listings in Tahlequah on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic57%(8,238)
Black2.5%(361)
Hispanic / Latino7.3%(1,049)
Asian0.5%(75)
Other0%
Diversity Score33.6%(4,863)
2024
White, non-Hispanic45.4%(7,694)
Black2.4%(404)
Hispanic / Latino9.8%(1,667)
Asian0.8%(130)
Other41.6%(7,040)
Diversity Score76.3%(12,923)
Diversity Score
76
+127%since 2000
from 34 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 32.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.1%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 80.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.4 min
+11%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.2%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 75.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.5%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.6%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 8.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.6%
+10.8 ptssince 2011
from 52.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.3%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
40.9%
−22.3 ptssince 2009
from 63.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
53.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
4.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.3%
−43.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2012
from 18.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
19.3%
−54.5 ptssince 2013
from 73.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.5%
+17.7 ptssince 2017
from 66.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2016
from 92.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.4%
+2.6 ptssince 2016
from 3.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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TAHLEQUAH VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Tahlequah, Oklahoma?

Tahlequah, Oklahoma has about 16,935 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Tahlequah, Oklahoma?

The typical household in Tahlequah, Oklahoma earns about $49,581 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Tahlequah, Oklahoma expensive?

In Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the median home is worth about $185,400, and the typical rent is about $835 a month.

How educated are people in Tahlequah, Oklahoma?

About 34.4% of adults age 25 and over in Tahlequah, Oklahoma hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Tahlequah, Oklahoma?

About 18.4% of people in Tahlequah, Oklahoma live below the federal poverty line.

Has Tahlequah, Oklahoma grown since 1990?

Yes, Tahlequah, Oklahoma has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,537 residents, a change of about 63 percent over that period.

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

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