Census 2020: Tulsa County’s Demographic Breakdown

A synopsis of the quarterly report, Highlights from 2020 Census, compiled and created by Dr. Ama Abrokwah, economist and director of research for the Tulsa Chamber.  

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“The nation’s composition remains a mix of big cities and small cities. Overall, large cities with 2020 populations of 50,000 or more grew at a faster pace in the South than in any other region. Since the 2010 Census, the population living in large cities in the South increased by 12.3%.” - U.S. Census Bureau

Growth in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Tulsa MSA is the second largest metropolitan area in Oklahoma. It accounts for 25% of Oklahoma’s population and is the 55th largest metropolitan area in the nation. With an estimated 77,853 residents relocating between 2010 and 2020, Tulsa MSA grew about 8.3%.

More specifically, Tulsa County’s population increased with an estimated 65,876 residents relocating between 2010 and 2020, roughly 10.9%. 

Tulsa County’s Stats

The following information was obtained from the U. S. Census Bureau’s interactive Oklahoma: 2020 Census page as of August 25, 2021, and updated March 2022. 

Race and Ethnicity

Tulsa County’s population is 669,279 residents, ranking at 64.5% on the diversity index. Our diversity breakdown:

• White alone, not Hispanic or Latino - 55.6%
• Hispanic or Latino - 14.9%
• Black or African American alone, not Hispanic or Latino  - 9.9%
• Two or More Races, not Hispanic or Latino - 9.9%
• American Indian & Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic or Latino - 5.5%
• Asian alone, not Hispanic or Latino - 3.7%
• Some Other Race alone, not Hispanic or Latino - 0.4%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic or Latino - 0.2%

Age

There were 56,710 adults of the 65,876 resident additions to Tulsa County giving 2020 percentages: 

• 75.6% of residents are age 18 and over
• 24.4% of residents are under the age of 18

Tulsa MSA Housing

The Census 2010 and 2020 occupancy rates in Tulsa MSA were higher than the U. S. and Oklahoma. This means more Tulsa MSA residents completed both Census forms than the majority of our nation and state combined. 

• 2010 - 89.6% of the housing units were occupied
• 2020 - 93.3% of the housing units were occupied 

Why Businesses Should Relocate to Tulsa County

Based on the stats, it’s safe to say that Tulsa County is booming with opportunities due to the population growth. 

To further support the claim, CNBC released their annual Top States for Business for 2022. While Oklahoma landed at 38, we ranked numbers 2 and 14 respectively, in the following categories:

• Cost of Doing Business - grade A+
• Cost of Living - grade A+

Two of the most important aspects businesses and employees consider when the relocation conversation comes into play.