City · Oklahoma
Watonga, Oklahoma
Watonga, city, in Blaine County, Oklahoma. Watonga had 2,594 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 2,690 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,623 (±25). GEOID 4078950.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,594
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,690 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,623 ±25
Median household income
$54,081
±$4,209 (90% margin)
Oklahoma: $65,039
Median home value
$89,700
±$19,746 (90% margin)
Oklahoma: $199,800
Median gross rent
$784
±$95 (90% margin)
Oklahoma: $1,014
Where is Watonga and what county is it in?
Watonga is a city in Blaine County, Oklahoma. It covers 3.8 square miles of land, 714 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Watonga, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 2,594 people lived in Watonga on July 1, 2025, down 3.6% since 2020, while Oklahoma grew 4.1%. The 2020 Census counted 2,690 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 2,623 (±25).
| Measure | Watonga | Blaine County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,623 ±25 | 8,570 | −258 |
| Households | 904 ±91 | 3,381 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.39 ±0.22 | 2.36 | +0.63 |
| Housing units | 1,214 ±105 | 4,581 | no clear change |
Watonga's population since 2000
From 4,658 in 2000 to 2,594 in 2025: down 44.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Watonga as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Watonga?
The median resident of Watonga is 40.7 years old; 23.3% are under 18 and 13.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 56.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 16.2%. 4.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Watonga | Blaine County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.7 ±3.0 | 41.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.3% ±3.4 pts | 24.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.0% ±3.2 pts | 19.6% | – |
| Male | 62.3% ±4.0 pts | 51.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 16.2% ±3.9 pts | 12.6% | −12.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 56.2% ±5.1 pts | 70.3% | +8.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 10.5% ±2.7 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 8.3% ±3.0 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.7% ±3.7 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.7% ±2.3 pts | 3.9% | −19.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.2% ±4.0 pts | 10.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.2% ±2.6 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 12.5% ±3.8 pts | 16.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.6% ±4.9 pts | 11.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.7% ±3.9 pts | 85.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 9.4% ±3.2 pts | 18.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 2.4% ±1.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 82.6% ±4.3 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1% ±1.8 pts | 1.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Watonga earn?
Half of Watonga's 904 households earn less than $54,081 a year (±$4,209), against $61,642 in Blaine County and $65,039 in Oklahoma. In 2015-2019 it was $52,638 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Watonga | Blaine County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,081 ±$4,209 | $61,642 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $62,574 ±$11,612 | $81,495 | – |
| Per capita income | $21,407 ±$4,071 | $31,589 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.2% ±6.4 pts | 17.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.5% ±12.4 pts | 26.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.0% ±5.4 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 85.4% ±9.1 pts | 91.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.4% ±9.4 pts | 85.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Watonga?
Owners occupy 73.7% of Watonga's occupied homes and renters 26.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $89,700 by its owner (±$19,746). The median renter pays $784 a month including utilities, and 42.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Watonga | Blaine County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $89,700 ±$19,746 | $126,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $784 ±$95 | $852 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.6% ±16.0 pts | 37.1% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,272 ±$96 | $1,226 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.7% ±7.0 pts | 73.4% | +18.1 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 26.3% ±7.0 pts | 26.6% | – |
| Housing units | 1,214 ±105 | 4,581 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 5.2% ±5.9 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.5% ±6.4 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 84.3% ±4.4 pts | 79.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.1% ±2.6 pts | 15.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7% ±1.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.3% ±0.7 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.2% ±4.6 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.1% ±3.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Watonga building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units in Watonga in 2025 (1 in single-family houses), 0.4 per 1,000 residents against 3.8 across Oklahoma.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Watonga work and get to work?
82.4% of Watonga's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 17.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 13.5%.
| Measure | Watonga | Blaine County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.8% ±4.5 pts | 53.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 13.5% ±5.5 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 82.4% ±5.9 pts | 85.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.7% ±6.0 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±2.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 0.2% ±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 0.9% ±1.1 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.8 min ±4.1 | 19.0 min | −16.8 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Watonga?
1 census tract lies mostly in Watonga, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9589Blaine County | 2,847 | $54,798 |
| Tract 9588Blaine County | 1,027 | $88,542 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Watonga) · Census block assignment files
How does Watonga compare with other places in Oklahoma?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Watonga is the 6,790th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 126th-most populous of 591 in Oklahoma.
Watonga ranks 116th of 228 places in Oklahoma with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 126th | 591 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 196th | 212 |
| Residents per square mile | 122nd | 229 |
| Median household income | 116th | 228 |
| Per capita income | 203rd | 229 |
| Median home value | 196th | 228 |
| Median gross rent | 147th | 223 |
| Poverty rate | 103rd | 218 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 208th | 226 |
| Median age | 44th | 229 |
| Owner-occupied share | 64th | 229 |
| Travel time to work | 178th | 229 |
Watonga's figures with every place in Oklahoma (CSV)
Every place in Oklahoma, sortable · Compare Watonga with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Watonga?
11 of the 57 figures for Watonga on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Watonga are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Watonga.