Signals
Poplar Bluff
Tahlequah
Growth
46 · Bottom 44%
vs38 · Bottom 30%
Climate
75 · Top 21%
vs64 · Bottom 43%
Physical resilience
28 · Bottom 17%
vs36 · Bottom 25%
Housing affordability
98 · Top 39%
vs96 · Top 43%
Access
64 · Bottom 28%
vs74 · Bottom 45%
Economic stability
19 · Bottom 9%
vs23 · Bottom 13%
Measured values
| Metric | Poplar Bluff | Tahlequah | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,020 | 47,942 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $49,089 | $53,218 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $27,431 | $29,253 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 60/sq mi | 64/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $145,100 | $168,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $780 | $831 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 64.6% | 65.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 29.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 20.5% | 18.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 58 | 30 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.4 | 0.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 222.2% | -6.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 89°F | 92°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 28°F | 28°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 50.8" | 43.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 58 mi | 46 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.5 min | 25.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.5 | 37.3 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Poplar Bluff
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Tahlequah
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, drought.
Your best match
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Poplar Bluff
55
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Tahlequah
55
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Poplar Bluff, MO Micro Area · Tahlequah, OK Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology