| City: | Velma, Oklahoma |
| County: | Stephens County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:19:24 AM |
| Population: | 704 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 580 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 34.4852, -97.6497 |
| Land Area: | 10.4 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
The town's delivery infrastructure centers on a small grid of streets including Main Street, First Street, and Purdue Street. These street names appear in postal records not for carrier delivery but as address references tied to PO Box assignments. Residents here don't have the option of home delivery; the post office box system handles all mail distribution. This arrangement is typical for small Oklahoma communities where rural geography makes individual carrier routes impractical. With a median household income of $58,750 and median home values around $110,000, Velma represents a modest but stable rural community where postal services follow traditional small-town patterns.
The limited street grid reflects a small Oklahoma town with traditional Main Street orientation. Only four street names appear in postal records, with Main Street having the most delivery points. These streets serve as address references for PO Box assignments rather than carrier delivery routes.
ZIP Code 73491 has 704 residents and 250 households (average 2.82 persons per household). The median age is 37.8 years, about the same as the state (37.3) and slightly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 46.9% male and 53.1% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (49.5%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (78.0%, much higher than the state average of 63.5% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and American Indian & Alaska Native (5.5%, higher than the national average of 1.1%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 4.7%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 704Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 791Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 67.7 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $83,750Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 250Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $114,600Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.82Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.81Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 991 | 966 | 862 | 842 | 796 | 777 | 750 | 733 | 657 | 726 | 749 | 693 | 763 | 791 |
| Decennial Census | 721 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 704 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 37.8
Male Median Age: 38
Female Median Age: 37.6
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 24 | 22 | 34 | 25 | 19 | 17 | 10 | 28 | 21 | 20 | 12 | 29 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 9 | 0 | 3 |
| Female | 18 | 31 | 38 | 29 | 10 | 11 | 29 | 30 | 18 | 18 | 23 | 21 | 31 | 24 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 14 |
| Total | 42 | 53 | 72 | 54 | 29 | 28 | 39 | 58 | 39 | 38 | 35 | 50 | 53 | 41 | 31 | 22 | 3 | 17 |
| White: | 549 | 86.32% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 33 | 5.19% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 39 | 6.13% |
| Hawaiian: | 2 | 0.31% |
| Other: | 13 | 2.04% |
| Total: | 636 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 330 | 46.88% | 38.0 years |
| Females: | 374 | 53.13% | 37.6 years |
| Total: | 704 | 100% | 37.8 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 783 | 98.99% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 2 | 0.25% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 6 | 0.76% |
| Total Population: | 791 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 785 | 99.24% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 6 | 0.76% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $83,750, which is above the national median ($80,734), is up $30,625 (57.6%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $31,071. Family households earn a median of $88,021 versus $25,417 for nonfamily households (a difference of $62,604). By gender, male median income is $81,750 and female is $44,167, which is much lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $37,583 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 58.3%, which is below the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 8.8%, which is considerably above the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Production (34.5%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $53,125 | $49,444 | $62,500 | $65,375 | $65,833 | $63,750 | $53,750 | $48,250 | $52,679 | $53,750 | $66,667 | $58,281 | $58,750 | $83,750 |
| Median Family Income | $66,023 | $65,000 | $69,583 | $70,658 | $73,750 | $74,063 | $74,375 | $64,167 | $71,250 | $71,250 | $75,897 | $82,866 | $85,607 | $88,021 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $30,568 | $19,750 | $21,250 | $33,125 | $31,875 | $0 | $0 | $21,458 | $18,750 | $23,750 | $17,500 | $17,969 | $19,886 | $25,417 |
| Median Male Income | $54,038 | $50,938 | $53,750 | $58,194 | $59,688 | $61,875 | $61,500 | $59,063 | $51,250 | $63,438 | $72,571 | $77,917 | $80,278 | $81,750 |
| Median Female Income | $26,154 | $27,083 | $30,511 | $32,417 | $30,833 | $31,417 | $30,893 | $32,692 | $33,636 | $30,500 | $27,778 | $32,857 | $36,818 | $44,167 |
| Employed: | 322 | 53.22% |
| Unemployed: | 31 | 5.12% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 252 | 41.65% |
| Total: | 605 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 71 | 22.05% |
| Service: | 41 | 12.73% |
| Sales and Office: | 73 | 22.67% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 26 | 8.07% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 111 | 34.47% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 322 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $114,600, which is considerably lower than the national median ($332,700), is up $47,700 (71.30%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $30,300. The median gross rent is $971, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is up $406 (71.86%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $379. Of occupied housing, owners make up 72.33% (37.39% with a mortgage, 62.61% free-and-clear) and renters 27.67% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 8.36%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $66,900 | $65,300 | $63,300 | $59,800 | $72,800 | $77,300 | $75,200 | $83,000 | $84,300 | $81,900 | $87,500 | $98,300 | $110,000 | $114,600 |
| Less than $500: | 3 | 3.41% |
| $500 to $999: | 40 | 45.45% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 35 | 39.77% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 10 | 11.36% |
| Total: | 88 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $565 | $577 | $534 | $531 | $533 | $556 | $589 | $613 | $592 | $770 | $834 | $888 | $940 | $971 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 86 | 27.04% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 144 | 45.28% |
| Renter Occupied: | 88 | 27.67% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 318 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 318 | 91.64% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 29 | 8.36% |
| Total Housing Units: | 347 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 276 | 79.54% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 31 | 8.93% |
| Other Units: | 40 | 11.53% |
| Total Housing Units: | 347 | 100% |
In 2024, 12.20% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 93.80%, which is well above the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 8.60%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 14.40%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 7.90 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 6.50 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (54.10%). College enrollment is 6.56%, which is far lower than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community may be more oriented toward vocational/trade or direct-to-workforce opportunities.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 7 | 1.28% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 27 | 4.92% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 317 | 57.74% |
| Some college, no degree: | 111 | 20.22% |
| Associate's degree: | 20 | 3.64% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 61 | 11.11% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 6 | 1.09% |
| Total: | 549 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 515 | 93.81% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 67 | 12.20% |
| Private Insurance: | 444 | 49.89% |
| Public Insurance: | 378 | 42.47% |
| No Insurance: | 68 | 7.64% |
| Total: | 890 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 822 | 92.36% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 8.4% | 9.8% | 12.9% | 15.7% | 13.3% | 17.1% | 20.6% | 24.5% | 22.8% | 22.9% | 14.7% | 15.6% | 16.3% | 14.4% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 12 | 6.56% |
| Kindergarten: | 16 | 8.74% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 99 | 54.10% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 44 | 24.04% |
| College or graduate school: | 12 | 6.56% |
| Total: | 183 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 28 | 15.30% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 159 | 86.89% |
ZIP Code 73491 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 38 business establishments, employing about 441 people with an annual payroll of $25,646,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 395Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 38Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $6,026,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $25,646,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 441Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 73491 is located in Stephens County, Oklahoma, within the Duncan, OK Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 20340) and Oklahoma's 4th Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 45,048 people, about 1.56% of whom live in ZIP Code 73491. It covers 10.4 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.07 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Duncan, OKSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 20340Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 45,048Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 10.4 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.07 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 04Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 9777.28 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 4076900Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Velma town; OklahomaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 73491 is in the Velma-Alma Public Schools, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 3 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.