Rocky Ford: Demographics & People
Rocky Ford's population stands at 290 people, in 92 households. Population grew 31.8% from 220 (2022) to 290 (2024). Median age 39.7 years. (2.4y older than Cherokee County; 4.5y older than Oklahoma). Children under 18 are 22% of the population. Population is 48% White (non-Hispanic) and 1% Asian. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.00). 83% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,238 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 44% adult obesity, 22% smoke.
- 3.2 people per household (vs Oklahoma avg 2.6).
- 17% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Oklahoma 39%).
- 55 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Oklahoma 67).
Population & Trend
Population grew 31.8% from 220 (2022) to 290 (2024) — about 53.0× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~389 (extrapolated at 15.9%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 552.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 47,078 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 31.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 220 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 290 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 290 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
| Population Estimate | 552 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 39.7y is 0.8 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 22% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 39.7 years (vs Oklahoma 35.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 22.1% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 290 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 64 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 66.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 121.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 39 |
| Population under 18 | 64 |
| Median age | 39.7 years (vs Oklahoma 35.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 290 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.00 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 126 |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 1 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 100.0% |
| Asian population | 1.0% (vs Oklahoma 3.2%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 47.9% (vs Oklahoma 57.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (4)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 206 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 81 |
| Share born in this state | 71.0% |
| Share born in another state | 29.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 27.9% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 1,399 |
Households & Family Composition
92 households. Averaging 3.1 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 83% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 59 families, 32% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 46 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 59 |
| Married couples with children | 19 |
| Single-parent households | 2 |
| Average household size | 3.06 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 5.1% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 11 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 3 |
| Family households | 76 households (vs Oklahoma 16,590) |
| Households that are families | 82.6% (vs Oklahoma 61.1%) |
| Total households | 92 households (vs Oklahoma 23,671) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 8.7% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,238 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 8.7% |
|---|---|
| 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 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
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.
| Residents with a disability | 23 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 12.0% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | OK-02 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 40021 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 021 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Cherokee |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 23.7% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 20.50 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 27.30 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 40021 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Cherokee County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,975 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 40021 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Cherokee County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 69.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 51.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 42.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 48,657 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 20 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 22.1% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 290, booming, family-oriented, middle-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 290 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
| Town Summary · County | Cherokee County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade