Sallisaw: Demographics & People
Census counts 8,605 people in Sallisaw, in 3,427 households. Population grew 0.6% from 8,553 (2022) to 8,605 (2024). Median age 35.8 years. (4.8y younger than Sequoyah County; 0.6y older than Oklahoma). Children under 18 are 28% of the population. Population is 57% White (non-Hispanic) and 6% Hispanic or Latino. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.24). 62% of households are family-led. County is gaining 645 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 41% adult obesity, 23% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs Oklahoma avg 2.6).
- 38% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Oklahoma 39%).
- 85 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Oklahoma 67).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.6% from 8,553 (2022) to 8,605 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~8,657 (extrapolated at 0.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 8,728.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 39,281 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 8,553 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 8,605 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 8,605 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
| Population Estimate | 8,728 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 35.8y is 3.1 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 28% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 35.8 years (vs Oklahoma 35.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 28.4% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 8,605 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 2,445 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 1,741.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 2,910.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 1,509 |
| Population under 18 | 2,445 |
| Median age | 35.8 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 8,605 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.24 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 5,167 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 203 |
| Asian residents | 22 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 575 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 24.0% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 86.6% |
| Asian population | 0.2% (vs Oklahoma 3.2%) |
| Black population | 1.6% (vs Oklahoma 5.5%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 6.0% (vs Oklahoma 12.3%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 57.2% (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). 1.2% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 2% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 3,573 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 4,775 |
| Share born in this state | 41.5% |
| Share born in another state | 58.5% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 55.5% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.2% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.7% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 140 |
| From Europe | 9 |
| From Africa | 29 |
Households & Family Composition
3,427 households. Averaging 2.5 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 62% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 2,094 families, 33% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 2,530 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 2,094 |
| Married couples with children | 682 |
| Single-parent households | 121 |
| Average household size | 2.55 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 20.6% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 67 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 20 |
| Family households | 2,110 households (vs Oklahoma 16,590) |
| Households that are families | 61.6% (at Oklahoma median) |
| Total households | 3,427 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. 17.2% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 645 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 17.2% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 34,885 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 34,240 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 645 |
| 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 | 828 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 9.9% |
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. 220 residents live in group quarters (2.6% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 220 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 40135 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 135 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Sequoyah |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 42.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 37.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 47.80 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 40135 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Sequoyah County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,402 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 40135 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Sequoyah County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 56.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 42.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 39.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 41,569 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 5.70 |
| Family Score · Schools | 7 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 4 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 28.4% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 8,605, stable, family-oriented, working-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 8,605 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
| Town Summary · County | Sequoyah County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade