City profile · Oklahoma · Census ACS 2023

Velma, OK

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

585
Residents
$61,806
Median income
$105,200
Median home
$937
Median rent (state)

Velma - the verdict

Nationally, Velma sits in the 38th percentile for household income and the 77th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

38th
percentile, household income
11th
percentile, home value
9th
percentile, median rent
77th
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: Velma, OK

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 585 residents in Velma, a small town within Oklahoma. Median household income here is $61,806 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 17.1%. Typical homes in Velma are valued around $105,200, and the median resident age is 41.7 years. About 8.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 55.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Velma reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 684.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Oklahoma run around $205, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 65.9 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

585 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Oklahoma

Median Household Income

$61,806 /yr

Poverty 17.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Oklahoma average

How does Velma compare to other US cities?

Velma measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 38% higher than other cities
Home value 11% pricier than other cities
Median rent 9% pricier than other cities
Safety 77% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Oklahoma, Velma ranks #32 of 203 Oklahoma cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Velma 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 Velma near the bottom of Oklahoma's cities

Among the 671 Oklahoma cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Velma ranks #324 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Velma only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#186 of 639
71st percentile in Oklahoma
Median Gross Rent
#324 of 671
0th percentile in Oklahoma
Median Home Value
#316 of 628
50th percentile in Oklahoma
Poverty Rate
#209 of 671
68th percentile in Oklahoma
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#509 of 671
24th 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.

38thIncome percentile
77thSafety percentile

38th percentile nationally for median household income · 77th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Velma's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Velma'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 68 Avg. percentile National median
Velma'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 Velma's home value compares nationally

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

$105,200 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. Velma $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 - Velma, OK Velma, OK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Velma, 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 Velma, OK median $61,806/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%
Velma, 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 Velma, OK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 8.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.1%

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

Population
585
Median Income
$61,806
Median Home Value
$105,200
Median Age
41.7
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Labor force participation
55.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
8.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
684.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
684.9
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 →
540 residents550 residents560 residents570 residents580 residents 202020212022202320242025 551 residents 570 residents ▲ +3.4%
Velma's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
94.9%
Carpool
3.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
1.9%

Based on 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 Velma 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
65.9 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Oklahoma

Canute
588 people
Red Oak
582 people
Nicut
580 people
Fort Towson
578 people
Clayton
593 people
Mountain View
575 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Velma's 585 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

St. Bernice, IN
585 people
Colesburg, IA
585 people
Macksville, KS
585 people
Addison, MI
585 people
Alda, NE
585 people
Lawndale, NC
585 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Velma's $61,806 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mingo, IA
$61,806 median income
Chili, NM
$61,806 median income
McComb, OH
$61,809 median income
Riverdale Park, CA
$61,802 median income
Valle Vista, CA
$61,799 median income
Youngsville, NC
$61,813 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Velma, 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 Velma, OK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.6% 11.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.2% White 82.6% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 5.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 11.6% 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 Velma 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
Velma (this city) 585 $61,806
Canute 588 $60,714
Red Oak 582 $35,676
Nicut 580 $35,806
Census ACS 5-year FIPS OK FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Velma, OK?

What is the population of Velma, OK? +

Velma, OK counts 585 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Velma, the typical household earns $61,806 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Velma? +

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

Velma has a total crime rate of 684.9 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 Velma, OK? +

A typical home in Velma is worth $105,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, 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.