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McAlester, OK
City in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma.
Population
18,111
Land area
17.8sq mi
People per sq mi
1,017
ZIP codes
0
McAlester and its ZIP codes
McAlester at a glance
- McAlester is about 17 times as dense as Oklahoma as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 30th among 834 cities and towns in Oklahoma.
- The median household income is $51,930, 20% below the Oklahoma median of $65,039.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $151,600 (24% below Oklahoma) and median rent is $915 a month.
Local data for McAlester, OK
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals2
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes5
- Schools8
- Colleges2
- Libraries1
- Banks8
- Post Offices1
- Parks9
- Grocery Stores5
- Restaurants83
- Affordable Housing3
- Home Health Agencies1
- Hospice Care3
- Dialysis Centers1
- Community Health Centers6
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment4
- Private Schools2
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools2
- Toxic Release Facilities1
- Historic Places17
Housing and community stats
McAlester, OK, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$51,930
Poverty rate
19.7%
Median home value
$151,600
Median rent
$915/mo
Homeownership
58.5%
Bachelor's or higher
21.0%
Median age
35.6
Average commute
16.3 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (1,920), German Americans (1,704), Mexican Americans (1,096).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Pittsburg County. PPP loans are for McAlester.
Unemployment rate
5.1%
Aug 2026, +0.5 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$51,982
14,742 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$46,560
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$370M
FY 2026, $8,453 per person
How people get to work
McAlester, OK, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone82.3%
- Carpooled9.3%
- Public transit0.2%
- Walked1.2%
- Bicycle0.3%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.3%
- Worked from home6.4%
Average one-way commute: 16.3 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
McAlester, OK, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: ice storm
Storm events since 1996
862
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
70
0.4% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
93° / 30°F
42.6 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone17 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in McAlester, OK, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
41.0%
U.S. 33.3% +7.7 pts
Diabetes
13.9%
U.S. 12.1% +1.8 pts
Smoking
20.7%
U.S. 12.8% +7.9 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
13.1%
U.S. 11.1% +2.0 pts
Cities near McAlester
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| KrebsCity | 2.4 mi | 4.8 |
| AldersonTown | 4.2 mi | 0.6 |
| BacheCensus-designated place | 6.4 mi | 0.3 |
| SavannaTown | 7 mi | 1.5 |
| Bug TussleCensus-designated place | 9 mi | 2.9 |
| HaywoodCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 2.1 |
| HaileyvilleCity | 11 mi | 1 |
| ArpelarCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 2.2 |
| BlancoCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 0.7 |
| AdamsonCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 0.2 |
| HartshorneCity | 13 mi | 3.3 |
| ScipioCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 0.7 |
| CrowderTown | 15 mi | 2.1 |
| PittsburgTown | 15 mi | 0.5 |
| KiowaTown | 16 mi | 1.2 |
| GowenCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 3.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is McAlester, OK in?
- McAlester is in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma.
- What is the population of McAlester, OK?
- About 18,111 people live in McAlester, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near McAlester?
- Nearby places include Krebs (2.4 mi), Alderson (4.2 mi), Bache (6.4 mi), Savanna (7 mi), Bug Tussle (9 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023