Cherokee County, OK

County

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2022 Population

47,412

0.222% 1-year growth

US Senator

James Lankford

Republican Party

US Senator

Markwayne Mullin

Republican Party

2022 Median Age

36.5

1.39% 1-year increase

2022 Poverty Rate

20.8%

2.51% 1-year decrease

2022 Median Household Income

$52,410

10.5% 1-year growth

2022 Median Property Value

$144,600

9.46% 1-year growth

2022 Employed Population

20,388

2.15% 1-year growth

About

In 2022, Cherokee County, OK had a population of 47.4k people with a median age of 36.5 and a median household income of $52,410. Between 2021 and 2022 the population of Cherokee County, OK grew from 47,307 to 47,412, a 0.222% increase and its median household income grew from $47,421 to $52,410, a 10.5% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Cherokee County, OK are White (Non-Hispanic) (45.5%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (31.8%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (12.7%), White (Hispanic) (2.68%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (2.06%).

None of the households in Cherokee County, 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.

98.1% of the residents in Cherokee County, OK are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Cherokee County, OK are Northeastern State University (1,839 degrees awarded in 2022).

In 2022, the median property value in Cherokee County, OK was $144,600, and the homeownership rate was 66.7%.

Most people in Cherokee County, OK drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Cherokee County, OK was 2 cars per household.

Cherokee County, OK borders Adair County, OK, Delaware County, OK, Mayes County, OK, Muskogee County, OK, Sequoyah County, OK, and Wagoner County, OK.

United States Oklahoma Tahlequah, OK

Population & Diversity

Cherokee County, OK is home to a population of 47.4k people, from which 98.1% are citizens. As of 2022, 2.95% of Cherokee County, OK residents were born outside of the country (1.4k people).

In 2022, there were 1.43 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (21.6k people) in Cherokee County, OK than any other race or ethnicity. There were 15.1k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) and 6.03k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.1%

2022 Citizenship

98.1%

2021 Citizenship

As of 2022, 98.1% of Cherokee County, OK residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.5%. In 2021, the percentage of US citizens in Cherokee County, OK was 98.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Cherokee County, OK

White (Non-Hispanic)
21.6k ± 142
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
15.1k ± 597
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
6.03k ± 629

7.88%

Hispanic Population

3.74k people

7.88% of the people in Cherokee County, OK are hispanic (3.74k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Cherokee County, OK as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Oklahoma.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
102,193 ± 7,747 people
Vietnam
12,454 ± 2,736 people
India
10,765 ± 2,544 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Oklahoma was Mexico, the natal country of 102,193 Oklahoma residents, followed by Vietnam with 12,454 and India with 10,765.

Foreign-Born Population

2.95%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

1.4k people

2.91%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

1.38k people

As of 2022, 2.95% of Cherokee County, OK residents (1.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2021, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Cherokee County, OK was 2.91%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,052 ± 176
Gulf War (2001-)
635 ± 150
Gulf War (1990s)
363 ± 117

Cherokee County, OK has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.66 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Cherokee County, OK employs 20.4k people. The largest industries in Cherokee County, OK are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,500 people), Educational Services (2,540 people), and Retail Trade (2,075 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($76,875), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($52,019), and Wholesale Trade ($44,821).

Males in Oklahoma have an average income that is 1.38 times higher than the average income of females, which is $50,245. The income inequality in Oklahoma (measured using the Gini index) is 0.456, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

20.4k

2022 Value

± 928

2.15%

1 Year growth

± 6.38%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Cherokee County, OK grew at a rate of 2.15%, from 20k employees to 20.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Cherokee County, OK, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,174 people), Management Occupations (1,939 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,775 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Cherokee County, OK.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

20.4k

2022 Value

± 928

2.15%

1 Year growth

± 6.38%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Cherokee County, OK grew at a rate of 2.15%, from 20k employees to 20.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Cherokee County, OK, are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,500 people), Educational Services (2,540 people), and Retail Trade (2,075 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Cherokee County, OK, though some of these residents may live in Cherokee County, OK and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$37,437

Median earning men ± $3,389

$30,910

Median earning women ± $2,035

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2022 are Manufacturing ($47,861), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,404), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($46,984).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2022 are Public Administration ($42,363), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($37,669), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($36,359).

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.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

56
Retail Trade
53
Health Care and Social Assistance
51
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Depending on the option selected, the visualization shows the number of employees or number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$149k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$45.7k
Retail Trade
$22.3k
Accommodation and Food Services

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Cherokee County, OK went to Donald J. Trump with 63.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (34%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.81%).

James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin 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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (63.4%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (34%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.81%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Cherokee County, OK for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Oklahoma

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Oklahoma.

James Lankford

Senator from Oklahoma

Assumed office on January 3, 2015
Took office following the resignation of Tom Coburn.

Markwayne Mullin

Senator from Oklahoma

Assumed office on January 3, 2023
Took office following the resignation of Jim Inhofe.

James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin 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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Oklahoma

Oklahoma is currently represented by 5 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Oklahoma have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2022, universities in Cherokee County, OK awarded 1,839 degrees. The student population of Cherokee County, OK in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 2,360 male students and 4,342 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Cherokee County, OK are White (1,016 and 56.4%), followed by American Indian or Alaska Native (326 and 18.1%), Two or More Races (215 and 11.9%), and Hispanic or Latino (90 and 5%).

The largest universities in Cherokee County, OK by number of degrees awarded are Northeastern State University (1,839 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Cherokee County, OK are Other Research & Experimental Psychology (149 and 8.1%), General Business Administration & Management (129 and 7.01%), and Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration (114 and 6.2%).

The median tuition cost in Cherokee County, OK for a public four year colleges is $6,285 for in-state students and $15,270 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2022 in Cherokee County, OK, the percentage of applicants admitted was 99.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 42.5%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 6,702 (35.2% men and 64.8% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2022 there were 6,702 students enrolled in Cherokee County, OK, 35.2% men and 64.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,226 records, of which 66.2% were women and 33.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Studies
81 degrees awarded
Other Research & Experimental Psychology
149 degrees awarded
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
86 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Cherokee County, OK was General Studies with 81 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Cherokee County, OK according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Northeastern State University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,839 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Northeastern State University with 1,839 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 532 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Cherokee County, OK, which is 0.407 times less than the 1,307 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,016 degrees mean that there were 3.12 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, American Indian or Alaska Native, with 326 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($6,285) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2022.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,115) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,250) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2022, 0.873% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.779% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2022 were High School or Equivalent (965k), Some college (734k), and Bachelors Degree (494k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Cherokee County, OK was $144,600 in 2022, which is 0.513 times smaller than the national average of $281,900. Between 2021 and 2022 the median property value increased from $132,100 to $144,600, a 9.46% increase. The homeownership rate in Cherokee County, OK is 66.7%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.8%.

People in Cherokee County, OK have an average commute time of 24.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Cherokee County, OK is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Cherokee County, OK is $52,410. In 2022, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Cherokee County, OK was Census Tract 9782.02 with a value of $57,813, followed by Census Tract 9776 and Census Tract 9781, with respective values of $56,058 and $51,065.

In 2023, 14.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Cherokee County, OK. From 2014 to 2023, the indicator grew 0.291%.

Housing

Property

$144,600

Median Property Value 2022

±$7,395

$12,010

Median Property Taxes

±$623

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 Cherokee County, OK the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

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

Rent vs Own

66.7%

Homeownership

2022

68.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2022

In 2022, 66.7% of the housing units in Cherokee County, OK were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 67.5%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9782.02
Census Tract 9776
Census Tract 9781

In 2022, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Cherokee County, OK was Census Tract 9782.02 with a value of $57,813, followed by Census Tract 9776 and Census Tract 9781, with respective values of $56,058 and $51,065.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Cherokee County, OK colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$52,410

Median Household Income

± $4,475

18k

Number of Households

± 862

In 2022, the median household income of the 18k households in Cherokee County, OK grew to $52,410 from the previous year's value of $47,421.

The following chart displays the households in Cherokee County, 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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Cherokee County, OK is from Oklahoma.

0.456

2022 Wage GINI in Oklahoma

0.453

2021 Wage GINI in Oklahoma

In 2022, the income inequality in Oklahoma was 0.456 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.507% growth from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Oklahoma was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2022

Drove Alone (75.8%)
Carpooled (12.9%)
Worked At Home (5.98%)

In 2022, 75.8% of workers in Cherokee County, OK drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (12.9%) and those who worked at home (5.98%).

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.

Commute Time

24.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Cherokee County, OK have a shorter commute time (24.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.7 minutes). Additionally, 3.41% of the workforce in Cherokee County, OK have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2023, 14.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Cherokee County, OK. From 2014 to 2023, the indicator grew 0.291%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

20.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Cherokee County, OK (9.47k out of 45.6k 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 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 45 - 54.

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

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.

Children in Poverty

In 2023, 24.1% of the children was living in poverty in Cherokee County, OK. From 2014 to 2023, the indicator declined 7.7%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

80.1% of the population of Cherokee County, OK has health coverage, with 36.2% on employee plans, 16.7% on Medicaid, 13.4% on Medicare, 11% on non-group plans, and 2.79% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Cherokee County, OK see 1690 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.76% decrease from the previous year (1738 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1536 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 224 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,690 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Cherokee County, OK

Primary care physicians in Cherokee County, OK see an average of 1,690 patients per year. This represents a 2.76% decrease from the previous year (1,738 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2022, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.7% under 18 years, 24.9% between 18 and 34 years, 34.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

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

Uninsured People

19.9%

Uninsured

36.2%

Employer Coverage

16.7%

Medicaid

13.4%

Medicare

11%

Non-Group

2.79%

Military or VA

Between 2021 and 2022, the percent of uninsured citizens in Cherokee County, OK declined by 8.79% from 21.8% to 19.9%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2023, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 56.1 in Cherokee County, OK.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Cherokee County, OK.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2023, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 39.4% in Cherokee County, OK.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Cherokee County, OK.