Tahlequah, OK Demographics

A map of Tahlequah's Population by Race

Tahlequah, Oklahoma has an estimated population of 16,935, an increase from the 16,209 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 45.4% White, 29.6% Native American/Other, 12.0% Multiracial, 9.8% Hispanic, 2.4% Black, and 0.8% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Tahlequah, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Tahlequah has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more 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 Tahlequah, that probability was 70.2% in 2020 and 68.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Tahlequah is ranked the 31st 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). Tahlequah was ranked the 32nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Tahlequah's White Population

7,694 residents of Tahlequah, or 45.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Tahlequah is significantly lower than in Oklahoma overall, where 62.1% of the population is White. Tahlequah ranks 763rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Tahlequah's White population has grown by an estimated 15.5%. White residents' share of Tahlequah's population has increased from 41.1% to 45.4%.

Tahlequah is more White than neighboring Grandview (39.2% White), Park Hill (45.3% White), Steely Hollow (38.6% White), and Briggs (26.6% White). Tahlequah is less White than neighboring Gideon (88.1% White).

Tahlequah's Black Population

404 residents of Tahlequah, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Tahlequah is slightly lower than in Oklahoma overall, where 6.8% of the population is Black. Tahlequah ranks 192nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Tahlequah's Black population has grown by an estimated 35.1%. Black residents' share of Tahlequah's population has increased from 1.8% to 2.4%.

Tahlequah is more Black than neighboring Grandview (0% Black), Briggs (0.5% Black), and Gideon (0.9% Black). Tahlequah is less Black than neighboring Steely Hollow (9.4% Black).

Tahlequah's Asian Population

130 residents of Tahlequah, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Tahlequah is comparable to the share in Oklahoma overall, where 2.4% of the population is Asian. Tahlequah ranks 86th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Tahlequah's Asian population has declined by an estimated 38.4%. Asian residents' share of Tahlequah's population has decreased from 1.3% to 0.8%.

Tahlequah is more Asian than neighboring Grandview (0% Asian), Park Hill (0.5% Asian), Briggs (0% Asian), and Gideon (0% Asian). Tahlequah is less Asian than neighboring Steely Hollow (2.9% Asian).

Tahlequah's Hispanic Population

1,667 residents of Tahlequah, or 9.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Tahlequah is slightly lower than in Oklahoma overall, where 12.7% of the population is Hispanic. Tahlequah ranks 157th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Tahlequah's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 1.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Tahlequah's population has remained roughly unchanged at 9.8%.

Tahlequah is more Hispanic than neighboring Park Hill (8% Hispanic), Steely Hollow (6.4% Hispanic), and Gideon (0.9% Hispanic). Tahlequah is less Hispanic than neighboring Grandview (16.5% Hispanic), and Briggs (12.7% Hispanic).

Tahlequah's Native American/Other Population

5,006 residents of Tahlequah, or 29.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Tahlequah is significantly higher than in Oklahoma overall, where 7.1% of the population is Native American/Other. Tahlequah ranks 92nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Tahlequah's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 1.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Tahlequah's population has decreased from 31.4% to 29.6%.

Tahlequah is more Native American/Other than neighboring Gideon (8.2% Native American/Other). Tahlequah is less Native American/Other than neighboring Grandview (30.4% Native American/Other), Park Hill (33.8% Native American/Other), Steely Hollow (37.4% Native American/Other), and Briggs (50.9% Native American/Other).

Tahlequah's Multiracial Population

2,034 residents of Tahlequah, or 12.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Tahlequah is slightly higher than in Oklahoma overall, where 8.9% of the population is Multiracial. Tahlequah ranks 144th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 846 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Tahlequah's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 11.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Tahlequah's population has decreased from 14.2% to 12.0%.

Tahlequah is more Multiracial than neighboring Park Hill (10% Multiracial), Steely Hollow (5.3% Multiracial), Briggs (9.2% Multiracial), and Gideon (1.8% Multiracial). Tahlequah is less Multiracial than neighboring Grandview (13.9% 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.