Cherokee County: Demographics & People
About 47,942 people live in Cherokee County, in 18,698 households. Median age 37.3 years. (2.1y older than Oklahoma). Population is 8% Hispanic or Latino and 1% Black. County is gaining 1,238 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 44% adult obesity, 23% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household (vs Oklahoma avg 2.6).
- 64 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Oklahoma 67).
Population & Trend
Current population 47,942; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 47,942 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 34,373 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 37.3y is 1.6 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 47,942 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 10,159 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 12,698.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 16,558.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 8,527 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 21.2% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 26.5% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 34.5% |
| Median age | 37.3 years (vs Oklahoma 35.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 47,942 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 47,942 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 22,152 |
| Black residents | 607 |
| Asian residents | 489 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 15,640 |
| Census Demographics · Nhpi | 31 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 898 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 8,125 |
| Diversity Index | 65.1% |
| Asian population | 1.0% (vs Oklahoma 3.2%) |
| Black population | 1.3% (vs Oklahoma 5.5%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 8.0% (vs Oklahoma 12.3%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 12.3% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 47,942 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 46,261 |
| Residents born in this state | 32,863 |
| Residents born in another state | 13,117 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 5,879 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 3,344 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 281 |
| Foreign-born residents | 12.3% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
18,698 households.
| Family households | 11,958 households (vs Oklahoma 16,590) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 18,698 households (vs Oklahoma 23,671) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is gaining 1,238 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 39,416 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 38,178 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,238 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2022-2023
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Census Disability · Total Pop | 47,501 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 10,026 |
| Pct With Disability | 21.1% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 0 residents live in group quarters.
| Census Group Quarters · Total | 1,850 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 47,375 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 40,262 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 3,378 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 2,653 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 1,037 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 45 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 7,113 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 15.0% |
| Pct White | 46.2% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29