Living in Poteau, Oklahoma

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Poteau · Census data 2020–2024

Poteau has 8,959 residents with a median age of 36. The median household income is $50,511 (22% lower than the Oklahoma median), the median home value is $157,400, the median rent is $853/month.

Poteau at a glance

Population
8,959
Median age
36State: 37
Median household income
$50,511State: $65,039
Median home value
$157,400State: $199,800
Median rent
$853/moState: $1,014
Homeowners
62.3%
Bachelor's degree or higher
16.4%
Average commute
21 min

Is Poteau a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 21% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.

Cons: Median household income 22% lower than the Oklahoma median; unemployment of 6.1%; a poverty rate of 19.8%.

The weather is best in April–May and September–October.

Cost of living in Poteau

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Poteau the median home value is $157,400, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $853 per month, which is 30.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,045 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Poteau$157,400
Oklahoma$199,800
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Poteau$853
Oklahoma$1,014
United States$1,413

Poteau median household income

The median household income in Poteau is $50,511 and the income per person is $24,228. 19.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Oklahoma: 15.3%).

Median household income

Poteau$50,511
Oklahoma$65,039
United States$80,734

Housing in Poteau: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
3,707
Owner-occupied
62.3%
Renter-occupied
37.7%
Vacant
11.4%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1979
Average household size
2.58

Poteau demographics

Population
8,959
Median age
36
Under 18
27.3%
65 and older
16.2%
Households
3,286
Foreign-born
8%
Veterans
6.3%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White69.6%
Hispanic or Latino15.2%
Black1.3%
Asian1.1%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Poteau ›

Education in Poteau

16.4% of adults 25 and older in Poteau have a bachelor's degree or higher (Oklahoma: 28.3%), and 5.5% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Poteau16.4%
Oklahoma28.3%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Poteau

Unemployment rate
6.1%State: 5%
Average commute
21 minState: 22 min
Work from home
4.4%
Drive alone
82.8%
Public transit
0%
Walk to work
1.8%
Homes with broadband
82.9%

Poteau vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Poteau8,959$50,511$157,400$853
Shady Point900$52,375$104,700$618
Cameron292$53,125$75,000$717
Monroe123$39,107$112,500$775
Panama1,415$47,136$124,800$776
Howe791$52,031$108,600$754
Wister1,105$36,607$106,500$788
Rock Island684$45,114$134,700$772
Spiro2,269$41,848$100,700$830

More for people moving to Poteau

Poteau ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Poteau: FAQ

What is the median household income in Poteau, OK?

The median household income in Poteau is $50,511, 22% lower than the Oklahoma median of $65,039 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Poteau?

The median home value in Poteau is $157,400, compared with $199,800 in Oklahoma.

How much is rent in Poteau?

The median gross rent in Poteau is $853 per month, about 30.2% of household income.

Is Poteau, OK a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 21% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 22% lower than the Oklahoma median; unemployment of 6.1%; a poverty rate of 19.8%.

What is the median age in Poteau?

The median age in Poteau is 36 years (Oklahoma: 37).

How long is the commute in Poteau?

The average commute to work in Poteau is 21 minutes; 4.4% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Poteau?

The unemployment rate in Poteau is 6.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Poteau?

16.4% of adults in Poteau have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.

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