McAlester, OK

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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    2024 Population
    43,561
    US Senator
    James Lankford
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Alan Armstrong
    Republican Party
    2024 Median Age
    40.6
    0.744% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    17.7%
    2.76% 1-year decrease
    2024 Median Household Income
    $55,310
    0.955% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $156,900
    7.25% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    17,332
    0.516% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in McAlester, OK reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    99.2% of the residents in McAlester, OK are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in McAlester, OK are Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester (977 degrees awarded in 2024) and Premier Academy of Cosmetology (17 degrees).

    In 2024, the median property value in McAlester, OK was $156,900, and the homeownership rate was 71.4%.

    Most people in McAlester, OK drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.3 minutes. The average car ownership in McAlester, OK was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesOklahoma

    Population & Diversity

    McAlester, OK is home to a population of 43.6k people, from which 99.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.34% of McAlester, OK residents were born outside of the country (583 people).

    In 2024, there were 4.46 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (29.5k people) in McAlester, OK than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.6k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 3.46k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    99.2%
    2024 Citizenship
    99.2%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 99.2% of McAlester, OK residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in McAlester, OK was 99.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in McAlester, OK compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in McAlester, OK
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      29.5k ± 104
    2. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
      6.6k ± 332
    3. American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
      3.46k ± 314
    5.73%
    Hispanic Population
    2.5k people

    In 2024, there were 4.46 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (29.5k people) in McAlester, OK than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.6k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 3.46k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    5.73% of the people in McAlester, OK are hispanic (2.5k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in McAlester, OK as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Oklahoma.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      105,864 ± 7,883 people
    2. Vietnam
      13,987 ± 2,899 people
    3. Guatemala
      12,051 ± 2,691 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Oklahoma was Mexico, the natal country of 105,864 Oklahoma residents, followed by Vietnam with 13,987 and Guatemala with 12,051.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    1.34%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    583 people
    1.34%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    585 people

    As of 2024, 1.34% of McAlester, OK residents (583 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in McAlester, OK was 1.34%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in McAlester, OK compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      1,215 ± 196
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      773 ± 128
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      601 ± 128

    McAlester, OK has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.57 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in McAlester, OK.

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    Health

    85.2% of the population of McAlester, OK has health coverage, with 35.3% on employee plans, 21.1% on Medicaid, 15.1% on Medicare, 10.7% on non-group plans, and 2.95% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Oklahoma see 1,694 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,694 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1561 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 231 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.9% were men and 51.1% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Oklahoma.
    1,694 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Oklahoma

    Primary care physicians in Oklahoma see an average of 1,694 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,694 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Oklahoma in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25% under 18 years, 18.1% between 18 and 34 years, 36.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.4% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.9% were men and 51.1% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    14.8%
    Uninsured
    35.3%
    Employer Coverage
    21.1%
    Medicaid
    15.1%
    Medicare
    10.7%
    Non-Group
    2.95%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in McAlester, OK declined by 1.41% from 15% to 14.8%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in McAlester, OK changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Economy

    The economy of McAlester, OK employs 17.3k people. In 2024, the largest industries in McAlester, OK were Health Care & Social Assistance (2,607 people), Public Administration (2,452 people), and Retail Trade (2,046 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($72,875), Utilities ($69,219), and Public Administration ($55,208).

    Employment

    Occupations

    17.3k
    2024 Value
    ± 698
    0.516%
    1 Year growth
    ± 5.72%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in McAlester, OK grew at a rate of 0.516%, from 17.2k employees to 17.3k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in McAlester, OK, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,121 people), Management Occupations (1,670 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,489 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of McAlester, OK.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Oklahoma.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Oklahoma (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    17.3k
    2024 Value
    ± 698
    0.516%
    1 Year growth
    ± 5.72%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in McAlester, OK grew at a rate of 0.516%, from 17.2k employees to 17.3k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in McAlester, OK, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,607 people), Public Administration (2,452 people), and Retail Trade (2,046 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of McAlester, OK, though some of these residents may live in McAlester, OK and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $47,009
    Median earning men ± $2,148
    $33,784
    Median earning women ± $1,526

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($62,274), Manufacturing ($54,079), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($53,182).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($45,091), Information ($42,938), and Manufacturing ($42,679).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Oklahoma.
    Y-Axis
    2.57%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 1.72M people employed in Oklahoma. This represents a 2.57% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Oklahoma.

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 65
      Retail Trade
    2. 64
      Other Services (except Public Administration)
    3. 62
      Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $101k
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    2. $66.3k
      Retail Trade
    3. $40k
      Manufacturing

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Oklahoma went to Donald J. Trump with 66.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (31.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.02%).

    James Lankford and Alan Armstrong are the senators currently representing the state of Oklahoma. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    Oklahoma is currently represented by 5 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for McAlester, OK. Showing the available data for Oklahoma.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (66.2%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (31.9%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (1.02%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Oklahoma went to Donald J. Trump with 66.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (31.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.02%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in Oklahoma for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from Oklahoma

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Oklahoma.
    James Lankford
    Senator from Oklahoma3
    Assumed office on January 3, 2015
    Took office following the resignation of Tom Coburn.
    Alan Armstrong
    Senator from Oklahoma2
    Assumed office on March 24, 2026
    Took office following the resignation of Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of Homeland Security.{{cite web |last1=Hoberock |first1=Barbara |title=Mullin resigns from US Senate |url=https://oklahomavoice.com/2026/03/23/mullin-resigns-from-us-senate-oklahoma-governor-to-appoint-his-replacement/ |website=Oklahoma Voice |access-date=24 March 2026}}.

    James Lankford and Alan Armstrong are the senators currently representing Oklahoma.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in Oklahoma over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in McAlester, OK awarded 994 degrees. The student population of McAlester, OK in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 283 male students and 306 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in McAlester, OK are White (513 and 51.6%), American Indian or Alaska Native (269 and 27.1%), Hispanic or Latino (94 and 9.46%), and Two or More Races (66 and 6.64%).

    The largest universities in McAlester, OK by number of degrees awarded are Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester (977 and 98.3%) and Premier Academy of Cosmetology (17 and 1.71%).

    The most popular majors in McAlester, OK are Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (137 and 13.8%), Welding Technology (121 and 12.2%), and Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (110 and 11.1%).

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    In 2024 there were 589 students enrolled in McAlester, OK, 48% men and 52% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 307 records, of which 50.8% were women and 49.2% men.

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    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training
      110 degrees awarded
    2. Welding Technology
      83 degrees awarded
    3. Other Biological & Biomedical Sciences
      81 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in McAlester, OK was Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training with 110 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in McAlester, OK according to their major.

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    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1. Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester
      977 degrees awarded
    2. Premier Academy of Cosmetology
      17 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester with 977 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    In 2024, 469 men were awarded degrees from institutions in McAlester, OK, which is 0.893 times less than the 525 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 513 degrees mean that there were 1.91 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, American Indian or Alaska Native, with 269 degrees awarded.

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    Awarded Degrees over Time

    The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in McAlester, OK was $156,900 in 2024, which is 0.472 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $146,300 to $156,900, a 7.25% increase. The homeownership rate in McAlester, OK is 71.4%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in McAlester, OK have an average commute time of 21.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in McAlester, OK is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    Housing

    Property

    $156,900
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$5,805
    $12,752
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$563

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In McAlester, OK the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in McAlester, OK compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    71.4%
    Homeownership
    2024
    64.3%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 71.4% of the housing units in McAlester, OK were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 71.4%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in McAlester, OK compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $55,310
    Median Household Income
    ± $2,668
    17.9k
    Number of Households
    ± 705

    In 2024, the median household income of the 17.9k households in McAlester, OK grew to $55,310 from the previous year's value of $54,787.

    The following chart displays the households in McAlester, OK distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for McAlester, OK is from Oklahoma.
    0.45
    2024 Wage GINI in Oklahoma
    0.452
    2023 Wage GINI in Oklahoma

    In 2024, the income inequality in Oklahoma was 0.45 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.454% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Oklahoma was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Oklahoma in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in Oklahoma across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (82.6%)
    2. Carpooled (8.04%)
    3. Worked At Home (6.92%)

    In 2024, 82.6% of workers in McAlester, OK drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.04%) and those who worked at home (6.92%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    21.3 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in McAlester, OK have a shorter commute time (21.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.57% of the workforce in McAlester, OK have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in McAlester, OK compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in McAlester, OK distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in McAlester, OK have 2 cars.

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    Poverty

    Poverty & Diversity

    17.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in McAlester, OK (7.33k out of 41.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 65 - 74, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in McAlester, OK is White, followed by Two Or More and Native American.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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