Oklahoma Population in 2024 – Demographics and Trends

Oklahoma’s population in 2024 is estimated to be 4,088,380, reflecting steady growth over the years according to the World Population Review.

This places Oklahoma on the verge of surpassing the significant milestone of 4.1 million residents.

The state’s growth rate is currently 0.84%, ranking it 24th in the nation for population growth.

The state ranks as the 35th most densely populated in the United States, with an average of 54.7 people per square mile, spanning a total area of 69,898 square miles.

Oklahoma shares its borders with six states: Texas to the south and west, Arkansas and Missouri to the east, Kansas to the north, Colorado to the northwest and New Mexico at its western tip.

These neighboring states, along with Oklahoma’s strong community and economic foundations, contribute to the region’s dynamic population trends.

Age and Sex Distribution

The population distribution shows a balanced gender ratio with females slightly outnumbering males (50.3% vs. 49.7%).

Approximately 29.8% of the population is composed of children under 18 years, suggesting a strong youth demographic.

Meanwhile, the older population (65 years and over) comprises 16.6%, indicating an aging trend alongside a younger generation according to the U.S Census Bureau.

Race and Hispanic Origin

The racial composition of Oklahoma is predominantly White (72.9%), with a diverse mix of minority groups.

The significant Hispanic or Latino population (12.9%) and American Indian and Alaska Native population (9.5%) reflect the state’s cultural and historical diversity.

The presence of multiple ethnic groups enhances Oklahoma’s social and cultural fabric.

Population Characteristics

Oklahoma has a substantial number of veterans (254,405), reflecting a strong connection to military service.

The foreign-born population, constituting 6.1%, adds to the state’s demographic diversity and highlights the role of immigration in shaping its cultural and economic landscape.

Counties By Population 2024

Employment Rates and Job Openings

Footnotes: (1) Number of persons, in thousands, seasonally adjusted. (2) In percent, seasonally adjusted.

• The Civilian Labor Force shows a slight and steady increase over the months, reaching nearly 2 million in October 2024 as noted in the BLS report.
• Employment has also grown consistently, peaking at 1,931.8 thousand in October 2024, reflecting job market expansion.
• Unemployment numbers have decreased gradually, with the most notable drop to 66.8 thousand in October 2024.
• The Unemployment Rate declined from 3.5% in May to 3.3% in October, indicating improved economic conditions and job availability in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma unemployment rate dips to 3.5% in Marchhttps://t.co/QgDQs6n6D0

— KOKH FOX 25 (@OKCFOX) April 19, 2024

• Job Openings Level: With over 7.7 million job openings, the labor market shows strong demand for workers, suggesting positive hiring opportunities across various sectors.
• Hires Rate: The 3.3% hires rate reflects consistent workforce growth, aligning with the high level of job openings and indicating steady recruitment activity.
• Total Separations Rate: The separations rate also at 3.3% highlights balanced labor market dynamics, with movement between jobs and industries but no significant loss of employment stability.

Income Levels

Oklahoma’s average and median household incomes are significantly lower than the national averages, by 20% and 18%, respectively according to the Income By Zip Code.

This highlights an income disparity between Oklahoma residents and the broader U.S. population.

However, the figures remain well above the federal poverty level, indicating a general baseline of economic stability.

Richest Zip Codes in Oklahoma

The wealthiest zip codes in Oklahoma, led by 73025, demonstrate significantly high incomes, with the top zip code averaging $232,751 in household income. These areas reflect concentrated wealth in certain parts of the state, such as the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas.

Median household incomes in these regions also remain considerably high, underscoring economic prosperity in these locales.

Salary Data

The average salary for full-time workers in Oklahoma is $64,424, while the median is lower at $48,175. This difference indicates the presence of a higher income disparity, where a few high earners significantly pull up the average, leaving the median as a more representative figure for typical workers.

Individual Income

Individual income data reflects modest earning levels in Oklahoma, with the average per capita income only slightly above the median individual income. This suggests a relatively equitable distribution of individual earnings among residents, though both figures are lower than household or family income, as they do not include combined earnings.

Family Income

Family incomes in Oklahoma are notably higher than individual or household incomes, reflecting the combined earning power of multiple earners within family units. The average family income surpasses $100,000, indicating strong economic contributions from families, while the median remains below this threshold, signaling income variation among family units.

Retirement Income

Retirement income in Oklahoma reflects moderate financial stability for retirees, with a significant portion coming from Social Security payments. Combined, these sources provide an average total retirement income of nearly $50,000, ensuring basic economic security for many retirees in the state.

Educational Attainment

The majority of Oklahoma’s population aged 25 and older (55.4%) have a high school diploma as their highest level of education.

About 31.9% have achieved a higher (post-secondary) degree, while 12.7% lack a high school diploma as per Statistical Atlas.

These statistics show a significant proportion of the population achieving at least a basic education, although there is room for growth in post-secondary attainment.

Relative Educational Attainment Compared to U.S.

Compared to the U.S. average, Oklahoma has a lower percentage of residents with post-secondary (higher) degrees, at 31.9% compared to the national average of 38.5%, representing a -17.2% difference.

However, Oklahoma exceeds the national average for residents with a high school diploma as their highest education level (55.4% vs. 48.5%).

The percentage of people without a high school diploma in Oklahoma is slightly lower than the national rate, showing some parity in foundational education levels.

Health and Welfare

Oklahoma’s healthcare system includes various crucial statistics for its population.

The state’s healthcare framework features systems like the Oklahoma Health Care Information System (HCI), which collects and processes vital health data, such as hospital discharges and outpatient procedures.

The state’s fertility rate is 60.4 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44. Additionally, the teen birth rate stands at 21.2 births per 1,000 females aged 15-19, reflecting important demographic aspects.

Medicaid services are provided through programs like SoonerCare, which regularly publishes statistics about its enrolled healthcare providers and pharmacy usage. As of November 25, 2024, these programs continue to support various health initiatives, including dental care and pharmacy access.

These initiatives reveal the state’s commitment to improving health outcomes and accessibility for its residents by leveraging comprehensive data analysis and targeted health service programs.

Migration Patterns

Oklahoma has emerged as one of the top 10 states in domestic migration, adding over 80,000 residents from other states since 2020. This counters criticism of recent conservative policies, as U.S. Census data shows net positive migration into Oklahoma according to OCPA.

Compared to high outmigration in states like California, Illinois, New York, or Florida, Oklahoma’s policy-driven environment and programs like universal school choice appear to attract residents seeking new opportunities.

Reducing the state’s income tax could further enhance its appeal, competing with states like Texas and Florida that lack personal income taxes.

Oklahoma’s immigrant population is a small but integral part of the state’s demographic makeup, with a significant share originating from Mexico.

Many immigrants have achieved naturalization, and a substantial portion of undocumented residents live with U.S. citizen family members, emphasizing mixed-status households’ prevalence.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients represent a smaller group but remain vital to the community.

Education

The educational attainment of Oklahoma’s immigrants shows a mix of high achievers with college degrees (24%) and a significant portion lacking high school diplomas (35%) according to the American Immigration Council.

This contrasts with native residents, who have a higher representation in higher education and fewer individuals without high school diplomas, indicating opportunities for educational improvement among the immigrant population.

Economic Contributions

Immigrant workers play a crucial role in Oklahoma’s labor force, comprising 8% of all workers and representing significant portions of key industries.

They are particularly prominent in the accommodation, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors, showcasing their importance in maintaining the state’s economic stability.

Labor Force and Family Statistics

One in 12 workers in Oklahoma is an immigrant, underscoring their vital role in the economy.

Many immigrants also contribute as family members and neighbors, with mixed-status households highlighting the complex dynamics of immigration in Oklahoma.

These contributions benefit all Oklahomans through labor, taxes, and cultural diversity.

Housing Market

The Oklahoma housing market is experiencing modest growth, with home prices rising by 3.4% year-over-year to a median sale price of $244,400 as per Redfin notes.

The number of homes sold increased by 4.6%, indicating healthy buyer activity. However, the median days on the market rose by 11 days, suggesting homes are taking longer to sell compared to last year.

Top 10 Metros with Fastest Growing Sale Prices

Ponca City leads the state with an extraordinary 113.6% year-over-year growth in home sale prices, far surpassing other metros.

Cities like Bartlesville (38.6%) and Sand Springs (30.7%) also show significant growth, reflecting increased demand and potentially low housing supply in these areas.

This trend highlights varying regional dynamics within Oklahoma’s housing market.

Housing Supply Statistics

Housing supply has increased notably, with a 19.9% rise in homes for sale, totaling 18,818.

This growing inventory provides more options for buyers, although it could also reflect slower market activity with homes staying on the market longer.

Newly listed homes rose by 7.3%, which may help balance supply and demand.

Despite these changes, the months of supply remain stable at 4 months, indicating a balanced market.

Methodology

This article was crafted using a systematic research approach, leveraging credible data sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, and Redfin reports.

We analyzed population demographics, economic metrics, and housing trends through statistical insights.

Additional context was provided by policy analyses and historical data comparisons to highlight migration patterns and economic contributions.

Each data point was corroborated to ensure accuracy, with contextual summaries offering a clear narrative about Oklahoma’s growth, challenges, and opportunities.

References

1. Oklahoma Population 2024 – World Population Review
2. U.S. Census QuickFacts: Oklahoma – U.S. Census Bureau
3. BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics: Oklahoma – Bureau of Labor Statistics
4. Redfin Oklahoma Housing Market – Redfin
5. Oklahoma Income Statistics – Income by Zip Code
6. Oklahoma Education Statistics – Statistical Atlas
7. American Immigration Council: Immigrants in Oklahoma – American Immigration Council
8. OCPA Migration Report: Oklahoma Domestic Migration – Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
9. Oklahoma Health Care Information System – Oklahoma Health Department
10. SoonerCare Program – Oklahoma Health Care Authority
11. CDC Oklahoma Fertility Statistics – CDC National Center for Health Statistics
12. World Population Review: Oklahoma Counties – World Population Revie