City profile · Oklahoma · Census ACS 2023

Chelsea, OK

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Chelsea - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,862
Residents
$42,875
Median income
$101,300
Median home
$1,217
Median rent (state)

Chelsea - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Chelsea lands in the 11th percentile for household income and the 63rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

11th
percentile, household income
10th
percentile, home value
37th
percentile, median rent
63rd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Chelsea, OK

Oklahoma's Chelsea is a small town, with 1,862 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Chelsea households earn a median of $42,875 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 19.0%. Home values in Chelsea run a median of $101,300, and the median resident age is 32.1 years. About 9.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 54.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 11 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Low Activity). Chelsea reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1001.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Oklahoma run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Oklahoma at 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,217 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Oklahoma's average monthly utility costs around $205 (state average). Commute times here average 27.6 minutes, with 76.5% driving alone and 4.9% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 80.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

1,862 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Oklahoma

Median Household Income

$42,875 /yr

Poverty 19.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Oklahoma average

How does Chelsea compare to other US cities?

Where Chelsea sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 11% higher than other cities
Home value 10% pricier than other cities
Median rent 37% pricier than other cities
Safety 63% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Oklahoma alone, Chelsea ranks #62 of 203 Oklahoma cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Chelsea against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Oklahoma only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Oklahoma-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Chelsea toward the top of Oklahoma's cities

Among the 671 Oklahoma cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Chelsea ranks #53 - the 84th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Chelsea only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#468 of 639
27th percentile in Oklahoma
Median Gross Rent
#53 of 671
84th percentile in Oklahoma
Median Home Value
#340 of 628
46th percentile in Oklahoma
Poverty Rate
#159 of 671
76th percentile in Oklahoma
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#497 of 671
26th percentile in Oklahoma

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Oklahoma only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

11thIncome percentile
63rdSafety percentile

11th percentile nationally for median household income · 63rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chelsea's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chelsea's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 50 Avg. percentile National median
Chelsea's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Chelsea's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$101,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 90% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Chelsea $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Chelsea, OK Chelsea, OK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chelsea, OK-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Chelsea, OK median $42,875/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Chelsea, OK's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Chelsea, OK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,862
Median Income
$42,875
Median Home Value
$101,300
Median Age
32.1
Poverty Rate
19.0%
Labor force participation
54.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1001.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
50.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
951.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,970 residents1,980 residents1,990 residents2,000 residents2,010 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,976 residents 1,999 residents ▲ +1.2%
Chelsea's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
11
housing units authorized
Single-Family
11
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 3
2021 2
2022 7
2023 0
2024 11

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
27.6 minutes
Drive Alone
76.5%
Carpool
13.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.3%
Work from Home
4.9%
Other
1.4%

Based on 790 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Oklahoma - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$50
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$205
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Oklahoma state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Oklahoma state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Chelsea sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,217/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
80.1 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Oklahoma

Inola
1,863 people
Westville
1,850 people
Waurika
1,847 people
Pawnee
1,887 people
Kingston
1,918 people
Coalgate
1,919 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chelsea's 1,862 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Drexel, NC
1,862 people
Waskom, TX
1,862 people
Lost Hills, CA
1,861 people
New Plymouth, ID
1,863 people
Kent Estates, IA
1,863 people
Fort Recovery, OH
1,863 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chelsea's $42,875 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Humboldt, TN
$42,873 median income
Combes, TX
$42,880 median income
Warsaw, MO
$42,868 median income
Statesboro, GA
$42,884 median income
Lorenzo, TX
$42,885 median income
Mount Morris, MI
$42,886 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chelsea, OK Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Chelsea, OK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 62.3% 23.9% 13.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.7% White 62.3% Black or African American 0.3% Asian 0.0% American Indian 23.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 13.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Chelsea compares to nearby Oklahoma cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Chelsea (this city) 1,862 $42,875
Inola 1,863 $60,500
Westville 1,850 $40,156
Waurika 1,847 $42,054
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OK FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chelsea, OK?

What is the population of Chelsea, OK? +

The population of Chelsea, OK stands at 1,862 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Chelsea, OK? +

The median household income in Chelsea is $42,875 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chelsea? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chelsea; the closest available measure is the Oklahoma state average, a cost of living index of 87.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Oklahoma vary by metro area.

Is Chelsea, OK safe? +

Chelsea has a total crime rate of 1001.1 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Chelsea, OK? +

The median home value in Chelsea is $101,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.