Ponca City, OK

Oklahoma

Ponca City is a small city in Oklahoma with a population of 24,377. Residents earn $55,270 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
24,377 Population 1,326/sq mi density
$55,270 Median Income $30,902 per capita
$127,500 Home Value $130,162 Zillow
$827 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
787 Violent Crime/100K 5,156 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$55,270 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$127,500 home value, $827/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
787 violent crimes/100K (107% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,270
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $127,500
55% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 787/100K
107% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.0%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $827
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.3%
35% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.4%
0% lower than US avg

How Ponca City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population24,377
Median Age37.2 yrs
Density1,326/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 71%

Economy

B+
Median Income$55,270
Per Capita$30,902
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty12.4%
County GDP$2,333M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$127,500
Rent$827
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$130,162

Crime

F
Violent787/100K
Property5,156/100K
Murder12.1/100K
Assault622/100K
Burglary1,167/100K

Health

Obesity43.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.7%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI45 (Good)
Rain33.6 in/yr
Elevation993 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.0%
High School+91.0%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 24%
Commute16 min
EV Stations3
Libraries5

Is Ponca City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ponca City receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Ponca City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ponca City is $55,270, 26% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ponca City is $127,500, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $827 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 787 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,156 per 100,000, 163% above the national average.

Education

20.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Ponca City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Ponca City has a population of 24,377 with a density of 1,326 people per square mile. The median age is 37.2 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (70.5%), with 15.9% Hispanic, 3.5% Black.

Population

24,377
Total Population
1,326
People / sq mi
37.2yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
18.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Ponca City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.8%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.2%
54% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ponca City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ponca City is $55,270, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Ponca City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,270
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,902
Avg Weekly Wage$956
IRS Avg AGI$58,646

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.4%
0% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,232
County GDP$2,333M

Business (County)

Restaurants98
Healthcare116
Retail167
Manufacturing50

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,395
32% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.88%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.8 min
Work from Home3.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Ponca City is $127,500, 55% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $827 (29% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $130,162.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$127,500
55% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$130,162
Median List Price$114,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$114,950
$/Sq Ft$88
Homes Sold27
Sale-to-List Ratio91.6%
Price Drops16.8%
Inventory101

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$827
29% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$784

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$744
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$995
3 Bedrooms$1,297
4 Bedrooms$1,501

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,395
32% below US avg
Effective Rate1.88%
In Ponca City, 43.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.7% report depression. 30.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ponca City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.3%
35% above US avg
Diabetes12.0%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure37.0%
Asthma12.2%
COPD8.2%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.5%
Physical Inactivity30.9%
Depression27.7%
Mental Distress20.1%
Physical Distress15.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.3%
Checkup Rate75.6%
Premature Death13,038/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.1/10
Exercise Access66.4%
Healthcare Facilities116
Ponca City has a violent crime rate of 787 per 100,000 residents, 107% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,156 per 100,000 (163% above US avg). The murder rate is 12.1 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Ponca City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent787.3/100K
107% above US avg
Murder12.1/100K
92% above US avg
Rape96.9/100K
Robbery56.5/100K
Assault621.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,155.9/100K
163% above US avg
Burglary1,166.8/100K
Theft3,775.0/100K
Vehicle Theft214.0/100K
Arson12.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ponca City has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average59.4°F
10% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.6 inches
12% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median45.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation993 ft (303 m)
Area18.4 sq mi (47.6 km²)
Population Density1,326/sq mi
Coordinates36.7210°N, 97.0684°W
County FIPS40071
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 20.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 49.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.8%
D 24.5%

Winner: Republican by 49.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.0%
41% below US avg
High School+91.0%
School Test Score5.08
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,326/sq mi
Total Area18.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities116
Restaurants98
Retail Stores167

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.8 min
Work from Home3.4%

Nearby Cities

Compare Ponca City with another city: