City profile · Oklahoma · Census ACS 2023

Jay, OK

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

2,724
Residents
$36,411
Median income
$105,400
Median home
$944
Median rent (state)

Jay - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Jay places in the 5th percentile for household income and the 4th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

5th
percentile, household income
11th
percentile, home value
10th
percentile, median rent
4th
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: Jay, OK

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,724 residents in Jay, a small town within Oklahoma. Median household income here is $36,411 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 20.7%. Jay's housing stock carries a median value of $105,400, and the median resident age is 34.8 years. Educational attainment runs 11.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 48.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 15 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 650% from five years earlier. Jay's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 4734.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, above 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: the state registers 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $944 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Oklahoma run around $205, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 82.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

2,724 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Oklahoma

Median Household Income

$36,411 /yr

Poverty 20.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Oklahoma average

How does Jay compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 5% higher than other cities
Home value 11% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% pricier than other cities
Safety 4% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Oklahoma and the picture shifts: Jay ranks #199 of 203 Oklahoma cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Oklahoma-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Jay toward the top of Oklahoma's cities

Among the 671 Oklahoma cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Jay ranks #132 - the 80th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Jay only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#563 of 639
12th percentile in Oklahoma
Median Gross Rent
#289 of 671
52nd percentile in Oklahoma
Median Home Value
#313 of 628
50th percentile in Oklahoma
Poverty Rate
#132 of 671
80th percentile in Oklahoma
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#420 of 671
37th 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.

5thIncome percentile
4thSafety percentile

5th percentile nationally for median household income · 4th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Jay's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Jay'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 33 Avg. percentile National median
Jay'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 Jay's home value compares nationally

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

$105,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 89% 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. Jay $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 - Jay, OK Jay, OK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Jay, 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 Jay, OK median $36,411/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%
Jay, 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 Jay, OK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 11.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 48.7%

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

Population
2,724
Median Income
$36,411
Median Home Value
$105,400
Median Age
34.8
Poverty Rate
20.7%
Labor force participation
48.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
11.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4734.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1052.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3682.7
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
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,400 residents2,450 residents2,500 residents2,550 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,422 residents 2,507 residents ▲ +3.5%
Jay's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
15
housing units authorized
Single-Family
15
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 2
2021 2
2022 3
2023 12
2024 15

Permit volume increased 650% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.4%
Carpool
8.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
6.5%
Work from Home
1.3%
Other
1.2%

Based on 1,007 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 Jay sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$944/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
82.7 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Oklahoma

New Cordell
2,743 people
Stigler
2,702 people
Fairview
2,699 people
Mangum
2,759 people
Stroud
2,771 people
Eufaula
2,783 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Jay's 2,724 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Island Walk, FL
2,724 people
Concordia, NJ
2,724 people
Slippery Rock University, PA
2,724 people
Arcadia, SC
2,724 people
Balcones Heights, TX
2,724 people
Bloomfield, IA
2,723 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Jay's $36,411 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Margaretville, NY
$36,411 median income
Dos Palos Y, CA
$36,406 median income
South Henderson, NC
$36,417 median income
Leadington, MO
$36,402 median income
Doolittle, TX
$36,397 median income
Benton, PA
$36,429 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Jay, 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 Jay, OK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 42.2% 37.9% 17.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.0% White 42.2% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 1.3% American Indian 37.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 17.4% 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 Jay 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
Jay (this city) 2,724 $36,411
New Cordell 2,743 $70,780
Stigler 2,702 $40,917
Fairview 2,699 $52,500
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OK FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Jay, OK?

What is the population of Jay, OK? +

Jay, OK has a population of 2,724 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Jay households earn a median of $36,411 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Jay? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Jay; 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 Jay, OK safe? +

Jay has a total crime rate of 4734.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Jay, OK? +

Homes in Jay carry a median value of $105,400, 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.