Blackwell: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Blackwell center on a median $53,435 (1.1× below Kay County median $58,423; 1.2× below Oklahoma median $65,039), with homes at a median value of $85,600. The surrounding county supports 17,181 jobs (avg $49,720).
- $58,646 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income (vs Oklahoma $74,344).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $53,435 — below the Oklahoma median ($62,125). Poverty rate 14.6% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 34% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 1.6× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 19.1% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 33.5% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 14.6% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 0.9% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $18,820 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $1,103,718 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $58,646 (vs Oklahoma $74,344) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $57,094 |
| Median Household Income | $53,435 (vs Oklahoma $62,125) |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $53,435 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 2.5% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 4% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 3.6% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 17,181 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $854,223,477 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $49,720 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 1,664,310 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% (vs Oklahoma 3.1%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 751 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 6,926 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 9.20 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Grain, Wheat, Animal Totals, Cattle |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 1,049 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 13,729 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 619,510 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 7 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 10 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 19 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 12 |
| Local Businesses · New Car Dealers | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Used Car Dealers | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 6 |
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 14 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 31 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 31 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 4 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 6 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (5)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Walmart STORE 136 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 9 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | BLACKWELL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $342,440,742 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 7,836.17 (vs Oklahoma $7,371) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 43,700 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 84.1% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 2.8% |
| Pct Walked | 3.6% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 38.9 years (vs Oklahoma 35.2y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 42.0% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 2 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | good |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12