McAlester, OK Demographics

A map of McAlester's Population by Race

McAlester, Oklahoma has an estimated population of 18,111, a less than 1% change from the 18,171 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 63.8% White, 13.4% Multiracial, 9.8% Native American/Other, 7.4% Hispanic, 4.9% Black, and 0.7% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of McAlester, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

McAlester has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Oklahoma overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In McAlester, that probability was 59.3% in 2020 and 55.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

McAlester is ranked the 30th most populous place in Oklahoma, out of 846 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). McAlester was ranked the 29th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

McAlester's White Population

11,555 residents of McAlester, or 63.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in McAlester is comparable to the share in Oklahoma overall, where 62.1% of the population is White. McAlester ranks 564th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, McAlester's White population has grown by an estimated 5.2%. White residents' share of McAlester's population has increased from 60.5% to 63.8%.

McAlester is more White than neighboring Alderson (62.5% White). McAlester is less White than neighboring Krebs (66.1% White), Savanna (70.3% White), Bache (88.9% White), and Bug Tussle (70.2% White).

McAlester's Black Population

895 residents of McAlester, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in McAlester is comparable to the share in Oklahoma overall, where 6.8% of the population is Black. McAlester ranks 82nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, McAlester's Black population has declined by an estimated 14.4%. Black residents' share of McAlester's population has decreased from 5.8% to 4.9%.

McAlester is more Black than neighboring Krebs (1.4% Black), Alderson (0% Black), Savanna (0% Black), Bache (0% Black), and Bug Tussle (0% Black).

McAlester's Asian Population

134 residents of McAlester, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in McAlester is comparable to the share in Oklahoma overall, where 2.4% of the population is Asian. McAlester ranks 125th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, McAlester's Asian population has declined by an estimated 16.8%. Asian residents' share of McAlester's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

McAlester is more Asian than neighboring Alderson (0% Asian), Savanna (0% Asian), Bache (0% Asian), and Bug Tussle (0% Asian). McAlester is less Asian than neighboring Krebs (1.5% Asian).

McAlester's Hispanic Population

1,336 residents of McAlester, or 7.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in McAlester is lower than in Oklahoma overall, where 12.7% of the population is Hispanic. McAlester ranks 224th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, McAlester's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 5.8%. Hispanic residents' share of McAlester's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.4%.

McAlester is more Hispanic than neighboring Krebs (7% Hispanic), Savanna (2.1% Hispanic), Bache (4.2% Hispanic), and Bug Tussle (4.5% Hispanic). McAlester is less Hispanic than neighboring Alderson (8.5% Hispanic).

McAlester's Native American/Other Population

1,768 residents of McAlester, or 9.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in McAlester is slightly higher than in Oklahoma overall, where 7.1% of the population is Native American/Other. McAlester ranks 371st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, McAlester's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 26.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of McAlester's population has decreased from 13.3% to 9.8%.

McAlester is more Native American/Other than neighboring Krebs (9% Native American/Other), Alderson (3.1% Native American/Other), Savanna (3.5% Native American/Other), and Bache (6.9% Native American/Other). McAlester is less Native American/Other than neighboring Bug Tussle (11.3% Native American/Other).

McAlester's Multiracial Population

2,423 residents of McAlester, or 13.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in McAlester is slightly higher than in Oklahoma overall, where 8.9% of the population is Multiracial. McAlester ranks 270th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, McAlester's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 13.3%. Multiracial residents' share of McAlester's population has increased from 11.8% to 13.4%.

McAlester is more Multiracial than neighboring Bache (0% Multiracial). McAlester is less Multiracial than neighboring Krebs (15% Multiracial), Alderson (25.9% Multiracial), Savanna (24.1% Multiracial), and Bug Tussle (14% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.