County · Oklahoma
Kay County, Oklahoma
Kay County, Oklahoma. Kay County had 43,490 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.5% since 2020, while Oklahoma grew 4.1%. It holds 11 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 40071.
Kay County is the county of the Ponca City, OK micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
43,490
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 43,700 · ACS 2020-2024: 43,625
Median household income
$58,423
±$3,014 (90% margin)
Oklahoma: $65,039
Median home value
$124,700
±$6,816 (90% margin)
Oklahoma: $199,800
Median gross rent
$842
±$27 (90% margin)
Oklahoma: $1,014
How many people live in Kay County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 43,700 residents in Kay County. The Census Bureau estimates 43,490 for July 1, 2025, down 0.5% since 2020, while Oklahoma grew 4.1%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 43,625 over 920 square miles of land.
| Measure | Kay County | Oklahoma | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 43,625 | 4,028,634 | −777 |
| Households | 16,776±298 | 1,562,389 | −834 |
| Average household size | 2.52±0.04 | 2.50 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 20,913±104 | 1,775,127 | −602 |
Kay County's population since 2000
From 48,080 in 2000 to 43,490 in 2025: down 9.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Kay County?
Kay County holds 11 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Ponca City with 24,225 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Ponca City | 24,424 | $55,941 |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwell | 6,085 | $53,435 |
| Tonkawa | 3,015 | $58,767 |
| Newkirk | 2,172 | $52,639 |
| White Eagle | 520 | $41,667 |
| Kaw City | 325 | $54,000 |
| Tonkawa Tribal Housing | 310 | $41,250 |
| BramanGEOID 4008450 | 160 | $31,875 |
| KildareGEOID 4039800 | 86 | $58,750 |
| NardinGEOID 4050250 | 43 | not published |
| PeckhamGEOID 4057900 | 38 | $76,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Kay County?
The median resident of Kay County is 38.5 years old; 24.8% are under 18 and 19.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 71.2%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 9.7%. 3.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kay County | Oklahoma | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.5±0.6 | 37.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.8% | 24.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.4%±0.2 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.0% | 12.7% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 71.2%±0.5 pts | 62.1% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.3 pts | 6.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 2.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 6.9%±0.7 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 9.7%±0.9 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.0%±0.6 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.0%±1.0 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.4%±0.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 19.5%±1.0 pts | 17.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.3%±0.9 pts | 12.9% | −2.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.5%±1.2 pts | 89.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.2%±1.7 pts | 28.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.3%±1.1 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9%±0.6 pts | 2.7% | – |
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 Kay County earn?
Half of Kay County's 16,776 households earn less than $58,423 a year (±$3,014), against $65,039 in Oklahoma. In 2015-2019 it was $57,608 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kay County | Oklahoma | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,423±$3,014 | $65,039 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,308±$2,853 | $88,936 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,071±$1,119 | $35,624 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.0%±1.7 pts | 15.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.5%±3.7 pts | 20.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.2%±1.4 pts | 14.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.4%±1.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 Kay County?
Owners occupy 69.2% of Kay County's occupied homes and renters 30.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $124,700 by its owner (±$6,816). The median renter pays $842 a month including utilities, and 32.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Kay County | Oklahoma | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $124,700±$6,816 | $199,800 | +$11,353 |
| Median gross rent | $842±$27 | $1,014 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.7%±4.1 pts | 37.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,256±$48 | $1,539 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.2%±1.9 pts | 65.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 20,913±104 | 1,775,127 | −602 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.2%±0.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.3%±2.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.8%±1.4 pts | 72.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.6%±0.9 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.9%±1.4 pts | 6.9% | – |
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 Kay County building?
Builders took permits for 29 new housing units across Kay County in 2025 (23 single-family), 0.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Kay County get to work?
80.8% of Kay County's workers drive alone and 3.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.8%.
| Measure | Kay County | Oklahoma | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.7%±1.3 pts | 61.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8%±1.2 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.8%±1.9 pts | 77.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.5%±1.6 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.7%±0.9 pts | 9.4% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.9 min±1.1 | 22.4 min | no clear change |
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 are Kay County's census tracts?
Kay County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $39,542 (Tract 4) to $88,819 (Tract 3).
| Tract 140071000100 | 5,672±522 | $53,486 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2.0140071000201 | 3,194±286 | $55,431 |
| Tract 2.0240071000202 | 4,718±528 | $58,500 |
| Tract 340071000300 | 4,458±353 | $88,819 |
| Tract 440071000400 | 2,099±233 | $39,542 |
| Tract 540071000500 | 3,873±360 | $46,270 |
| Tract 640071000600 | 3,555±217 | $71,719 |
| Tract 1140071001100 | 3,784±141 | $59,030 |
| Tract 1240071001200 | 4,494±187 | $64,936 |
| Tract 13.0140071001301 | 3,870±354 | $52,500 |
| Tract 13.0240071001302 | 3,908±342 | $62,225 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Kay County compare with Oklahoma's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 22nd of 77 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 51st of 77 |
| Residents per square mile | 27th of 77 |
| Median household income | 44th of 77 |
| Median home value | 55th of 77 |
| Median gross rent | 34th of 77 |
| Poverty rate | 49th of 77 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42nd of 77 |
| Median age | 52nd of 77 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Kay County 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' school search.