City in Cherokee County, Oklahoma · 12.8 sq mi · 1,389 people per sq mi
17,728 people live in Tahlequah. The typical household earns $49,581, and the median resident is 29.3 years old.
2026 projection
From 16,209 in 2020
Poverty rate 18.42%
Men 27.4 · Women 33.5
1900–2026
17,728
2026 projection
9.4% since 2020 (increase)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
1900–2026
17,728
2026 projection
9.4% since 2020 (increase)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
| 2026 | 17,728 | +220 | 1.26% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17,508 | +164 | 0.95% |
| 2024 | 17,344 | +296 | 1.74% |
| 2023 | 17,048 | +20 | 0.12% |
| 2022 | 17,028 | +263 | 1.57% |
| 2021 | 16,765 | +556 | 3.43% |
| 2020 | 16,209 | +76 | 0.47% |
| 2019 | 16,133 | +62 | 0.39% |
| 2018 | 16,071 | -92 | 0.57% |
| 2017 | 16,163 | +19 | 0.12% |
Showing 10 of 28 years.
The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.
Tahlequah is growing faster than Cherokee County, Oklahoma, and the U.S.
Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101
Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 169 people).
Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002
Half of households earn more, half earn less
Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.
About 1 in 5 residents
35% of residents age 15 and older are married.
| Status | Overall | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Married | 35% | 38% | 32% |
| Never married | 43% | 48% | 39% |
| Divorced | 11% | 9% | 13% |
| Widowed | 9% | 3% | 14% |
| Separated | 3% | 3% | 2% |
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201
14 sources