City profile · Oklahoma · Census ACS 2023

McAlester, OK

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

18,098
Residents
$48,044
Median income
$137,500
Median home
$944
Median rent (state)

McAlester - the verdict

Nationally, McAlester sits in the 17th percentile for household income and the 19th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

17th
percentile, household income
23rd
percentile, home value
10th
percentile, median rent
19th
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: McAlester, OK

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 18,098 residents in McAlester, a small town within Oklahoma. Median household income here is $48,044 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.5%. McAlester's housing stock carries a median value of $137,500, and the median resident age is 35.9 years. About 20.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 48.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 10 residential building permits were authorized in McAlester (Rapid Growth), up 25% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. McAlester's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2740.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $944 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Oklahoma run around $205, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 73.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

18,098 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Oklahoma

Median Household Income

$48,044 /yr

Poverty 17.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Oklahoma average

How does McAlester compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 17% higher than other cities
Home value 23% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% pricier than other cities
Safety 19% 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: McAlester ranks #169 of 203 Oklahoma cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below McAlester's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Oklahoma, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

17thIncome percentile
19thSafety percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income · 19th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

McAlester's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

McAlester'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 40 Avg. percentile National median
McAlester'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 McAlester's home value compares nationally

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

$137,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 77% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. McAlester $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 - McAlester, OK McAlester, OK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not McAlester, 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 McAlester, OK median $48,044/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%
McAlester, 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 McAlester, OK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.5%

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
18,098
Median Income
$48,044
Median Home Value
$137,500
Median Age
35.9
Poverty Rate
17.5%
Labor force participation
48.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2740.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
369.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2371.2
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
11
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
18,000 residents18,050 residents18,100 residents18,150 residents18,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 18,158 residents 18,044 residents ▼ -0.6%
McAlester's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 46
2021 63
2022 121
2023 49
2024 10

Permit volume increased 25% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.1%
Carpool
8.2%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
7.7%

Based on 6,839 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 McAlester 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
73.3 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Oklahoma

El Reno
17,919 people
Altus
18,670 people
Durant
19,209 people
Ada
16,536 people
Tahlequah
16,513 people
Chickasha
16,349 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to McAlester's 18,098 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Siloam Springs, AR
18,096 people
Canby, OR
18,103 people
Sevierville, TN
18,105 people
Burlington, KY
18,090 people
Wallingford Center, CT
18,107 people
Bourbonnais, IL
18,109 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to McAlester's $48,044 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Buffalo, NY
$48,050 median income
Arley, AL
$48,036 median income
Ash Flat, AR
$48,036 median income
Grand Coteau, LA
$48,036 median income
Fisk, MO
$48,036 median income
Freistatt, MO
$48,036 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - McAlester, 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 McAlester, OK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 67.0% 9.6% 16.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.6% White 67.0% Black or African American 4.7% Asian 0.6% American Indian 9.6% Native Hawaiian 0.4% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 16.0% 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 McAlester 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
McAlester (this city) 18,098 $48,044
El Reno 17,919 $54,459
Altus 18,670 $55,550
Durant 19,209 $44,753
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OK FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about McAlester, OK?

What is the population of McAlester, OK? +

18,098 people live in McAlester, OK according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in McAlester runs $48,044, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in McAlester? +

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

McAlester has a total crime rate of 2740.7 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 McAlester, OK? +

The median home value in McAlester is $137,500, 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 Editorial

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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.