Velma: Demographics & People
590 people call Velma home, in 253 households. Population grew 0.8% from 585 (2022) to 590 (2024). Median age 41.8 years. (0.8y older than Stephens County; 6.6y older than Oklahoma). Children under 18 are 20% of the population. Population is 80% White (non-Hispanic) and 2% Hispanic or Latino. 79% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,185 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 42% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs Oklahoma avg 2.6).
- 21% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Oklahoma 39%).
- 56 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Oklahoma 67).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.8% from 585 (2022) to 590 (2024) — about 1.4× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~595 (extrapolated at 0.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 601.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 42,848 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 585 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 590 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 590 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
| Population Estimate | 601 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 41.8y is 2.9 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 20% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 41.8 years (vs Oklahoma 35.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 20.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 590 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 118 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 110.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 269.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 93 |
| Population under 18 | 118 |
| Median age | 41.8 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 590 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| White residents | 483 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 7 |
| Diversity Index · Simpson Index | 30.1% |
| Diversity Index · Interpretation | less diverse |
| Black population | 0.3% (vs Oklahoma 5.5%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 2.0% (vs Oklahoma 12.3%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 80.3% (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 (7)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.3% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 1% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 396 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 186 |
| Share born in this state | 67.1% |
| Share born in another state | 32.9% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 31.5% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.3% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 7 |
Households & Family Composition
253 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 79% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 193 families, 24% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 123 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 193 |
| Married couples with children | 47 |
| Single-parent households | 3 |
| Average household size | 2.29 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 13.9% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 28 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 4 |
| Family households | 201 households (vs Oklahoma 16,590) |
| Households that are families | 79.4% (vs Oklahoma 61.1%) |
| Total households | 253 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. 7.7% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,185 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 7.7% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 38,012 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 36,827 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,185 |
| 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 | 33 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.9% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 4 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 40137 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 137 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Stephens |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 34.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 30.30 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 40.00 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 40137 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Stephens County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Micropolitan |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 2,053 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 40137 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Stephens County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 59.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 49.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 43.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 43,143 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.50 |
| Family Score · Schools | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 20.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 590, stable, established, upper-middle, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 590 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
| Town Summary · County | Stephens County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade