Thomas: Demographics & People
1,170 people call Thomas home, in 434 households. Population shrank 6.8% from 1,255 (2022) to 1,170 (2024). Median age 39.6 years. (6.8y older than Custer County; 4.4y older than Oklahoma). Children under 18 are 29% of the population. Population is 77% White (non-Hispanic) and 8% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.18). 70% of households are family-led. County health: 39% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.7 people per household (vs Oklahoma avg 2.6).
- 30% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Oklahoma 39%).
- 85 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Oklahoma 67).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 6.8% from 1,255 (2022) to 1,170 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~1,092 (extrapolated at -3.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 993.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 28,513 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -6.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,255 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 1,170 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | shrinking |
| Population | 1,170 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
| Population Estimate | 993 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 39.6y is 0.7 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 29% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 39.6 years (vs Oklahoma 35.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 28.6% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 1,170 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 335 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 206.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 427.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 202 |
| Population under 18 | 335 |
| Median age | 39.6 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 1,170 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.18 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 963 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 7 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 102 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 18.4% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 89.8% |
| Black population | 1.3% (vs Oklahoma 5.5%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 8.4% (vs Oklahoma 12.3%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 76.6% (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 (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 813 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 318 |
| Share born in this state | 69.5% |
| Share born in another state | 30.5% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 27.2% |
| Naturalized citizens | 3.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 37 |
Households & Family Composition
434 households. Averaging 2.9 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 70% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 284 families, 33% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 401 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 284 |
| Married couples with children | 95 |
| Single-parent households | 12 |
| Average household size | 2.90 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 11.3% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 88 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 12 |
| Family households | 306 households (vs Oklahoma 16,590) |
| Households that are families | 70.5% (vs Oklahoma 61.1%) |
| Total households | 434 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. 7.3% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%.
| Moved within the county (past year) | 7.3% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 24,729 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 24,708 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 21 |
| 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 | 63 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.0% |
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. 35 residents live in group quarters (3.0% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 35 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 40039 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 039 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Custer |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 25.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 21.80 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 30.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 40039 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Custer County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,016 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 40039 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Custer County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 59.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 50.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 43.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 29,003 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 28.6% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 1,170, shrinking, family-oriented, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 1,170 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
| Town Summary · County | Custer County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade