City profile · Oklahoma · Census ACS 2023

Nowata, OK

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

3,522
Residents
$39,853
Median income
$84,200
Median home
$937
Median rent (state)

Nowata - the verdict

Nowata ranks in the 8th percentile for household income and the 32nd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

8th
percentile, household income
4th
percentile, home value
9th
percentile, median rent
32nd
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: Nowata, OK

Nowata is a small town in Oklahoma, home to 3,522 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Nowata brings in $39,853 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 19.5%. Home values in Nowata run a median of $84,200, and the median resident age is 38.6 years. About 12.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 46.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 26 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 420% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1992.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Nowata's yearly average temperature at 60.1°F.

Living costs in Oklahoma run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Oklahoma scores 87.8 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $937 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Oklahoma's average monthly utility costs around $205 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 40.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

3,522 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Oklahoma

Median Household Income

$39,853 /yr

Poverty 19.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Oklahoma average

How does Nowata compare to other US cities?

Here's how Nowata stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 4% pricier than other cities
Median rent 9% pricier than other cities
Safety 32% 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, Nowata ranks #127 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

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 Nowata'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.

8thIncome percentile
32ndSafety percentile

8th percentile nationally for median household income · 32nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Nowata's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Nowata'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 45 Avg. percentile National median
Nowata'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 Nowata's home value compares nationally

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

$84,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 96% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $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. Nowata $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 - Nowata, OK Nowata, OK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Nowata, 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 Nowata, OK median $39,853/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%
Nowata, 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 Nowata, OK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 19.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 46.2%

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

Population
3,522
Median Income
$39,853
Median Home Value
$84,200
Median Age
38.6
Poverty Rate
19.5%
Labor force participation
46.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1992.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
308.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1684.0
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
60.1°F
Annual Precipitation
N/A
Annual Snowfall
N/A

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 →
3,450 residents3,500 residents3,550 residents3,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,491 residents 3,584 residents ▲ +2.7%
Nowata's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
26
housing units authorized
Single-Family
26
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 5
2021 6
2022 7
2023 7
2024 26

Permit volume increased 420% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
70.4%
Carpool
16.8%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
5.3%
Work from Home
7.4%

Based on 1,257 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 Nowata sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$937/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
40.8 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Oklahoma

Roland
3,527 people
Elgin
3,560 people
Frederick
3,460 people
Dewey
3,388 people
Hobart
3,378 people
Stilwell
3,740 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Nowata's 3,522 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fairview CDP (Westchester County), NY
3,522 people
Mahanoy City, PA
3,522 people
Lake Delton, WI
3,522 people
Planada, CA
3,524 people
Geneva, FL
3,520 people
Hainesville, IL
3,524 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Nowata's $39,853 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pine River, MN
$39,858 median income
Del Norte, CO
$39,861 median income
Dixmoor, IL
$39,861 median income
Harbor Beach, MI
$39,844 median income
Warren Park, IN
$39,865 median income
Ridgeville, IN
$39,868 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Nowata, 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 Nowata, OK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 62.5% 14.9% 15.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.0% White 62.5% Black or African American 3.0% Asian 0.9% American Indian 14.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.0% Two or more races 15.7% 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 Nowata 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
Nowata (this city) 3,522 $39,853
Roland 3,527 $50,563
Elgin 3,560 $81,739
Frederick 3,460 $45,459
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OK FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Nowata, OK?

What is the population of Nowata, OK? +

Nowata, OK has a population of 3,522 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Nowata runs $39,853, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Nowata? +

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

Nowata has a total crime rate of 1992.7 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Nowata, OK? +

Homes in Nowata carry a median value of $84,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Nowata? +

Climate normals put Nowata's yearly average temperature at 60.1°F. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.