Poteau, OK Demographics

A map of Poteau's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	5,847	5,407	65.3%	61.4%
Hispanic	1,359	1,180	15.2%	13.4%
Native American/Other	784	1,168	8.8%	13.3%
Multiracial	754	868	8.4%	9.9%
Black	114	102	1.3%	1.2%
Asian	101	82	1.1%	0.9%

Poteau, Oklahoma has an estimated population of 8,959, a slight increase from the 8,807 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 65.3% White, 15.2% Hispanic, 8.8% Native American/Other, 8.4% Multiracial, 1.3% Black, and 1.1% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Poteau, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Poteau 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 Poteau, that probability was 57.8% in 2020 and 53.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Poteau is ranked the 49th 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). Poteau was ranked the 49th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Poteau's White Population

5,847 residents of Poteau, or 65.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Poteau is slightly higher than in Oklahoma overall, where 62.1% of the population is White. Poteau ranks 542nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Poteau's White population has grown by an estimated 8.1%. White residents' share of Poteau's population has increased from 61.4% to 65.3%.

Poteau is more White than neighboring Howe (52.8% White), and Heavener (45.8% White). Poteau is less White than neighboring Wister (66.9% White), Shady Point (69.3% White), and Monroe (87.8% White).

Poteau's Black Population

114 residents of Poteau, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Poteau is lower than in Oklahoma overall, where 6.8% of the population is Black. Poteau ranks 269th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Poteau's Black population has grown by an estimated 11.8%. Black residents' share of Poteau's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Poteau is more Black than neighboring Wister (0.1% Black), Shady Point (0.6% Black), Monroe (0% Black), and Heavener (0% Black). Poteau is less Black than neighboring Howe (3.3% Black).

Poteau's Asian Population

101 residents of Poteau, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Poteau is comparable to the share in Oklahoma overall, where 2.4% of the population is Asian. Poteau ranks 117th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Poteau's Asian population has grown by an estimated 23.2%. Asian residents' share of Poteau's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Poteau is more Asian than neighboring Howe (0% Asian), Wister (0% Asian), Shady Point (0% Asian), Monroe (0% Asian), and Heavener (0% Asian).

Poteau's Hispanic Population

1,359 residents of Poteau, or 15.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Poteau is slightly higher than in Oklahoma overall, where 12.7% of the population is Hispanic. Poteau ranks 101st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Poteau's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 15.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Poteau's population has increased from 13.4% to 15.2%.

Poteau is more Hispanic than neighboring Howe (6.7% Hispanic), Wister (7.5% Hispanic), Shady Point (2.1% Hispanic), and Monroe (0% Hispanic). Poteau is less Hispanic than neighboring Heavener (37.7% Hispanic).

Poteau's Native American/Other Population

784 residents of Poteau, or 8.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Poteau is comparable to the share in Oklahoma overall, where 7.1% of the population is Native American/Other. Poteau ranks 377th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Poteau's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 32.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Poteau's population has decreased from 13.3% to 8.8%.

Poteau is less Native American/Other than neighboring Howe (21.2% Native American/Other), Wister (12.5% Native American/Other), Shady Point (10.3% Native American/Other), Monroe (12.2% Native American/Other), and Heavener (9% Native American/Other).

Poteau's Multiracial Population

754 residents of Poteau, or 8.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Poteau is comparable to the share in Oklahoma overall, where 8.9% of the population is Multiracial. Poteau ranks 404th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Poteau's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 13.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Poteau's population has decreased from 9.9% to 8.4%.

Poteau is more Multiracial than neighboring Monroe (0% Multiracial), and Heavener (7.6% Multiracial). Poteau is less Multiracial than neighboring Howe (15.9% Multiracial), Wister (13% Multiracial), and Shady Point (17.7% 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.