Is Poteau Safe, Pros and cons of living in Poteau

Is it Safe to Live in Poteau?

Poteau experiences a crime rate that is 52.5% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). However, violent crimes in Poteau are 18% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This means that while property crime is a concern, violent offenses are less common.

Your chance of becoming a victim of any crime in Poteau is approximately 1 in 31 (as reported by AreaVibes). The city is safer than only 21% of cities in the United States (as reported by AreaVibes). Despite these statistics, crime in Poteau has seen a decrease year-over-year, with a 20.4% reduction (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing Costs in Poteau

The Poteau housing market is described as somewhat competitive, with a Redfin Compete Score of 45 out of 100 (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price of a home in Poteau was approximately $232,000 last month, showing a slight decrease of 2.1% from the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Poteau sell in about 67.5 days on average (as reported by Redfin).

The average rent in Poteau, OK, is $885 per month, which is 55.75% lower than the national average (as reported by Zillow). Rental prices for houses in Poteau typically range between $700 and $1,400 (as reported by Zillow). There is a limited rental availability, with only 3 homes listed for rent recently (as reported by Realtor.com® Research).

Job Market and Economy

The average annual salary in Poteau, OK, is approximately $35,000, or about $16.83 per hour (as reported by Zippia). The minimum wage in Poteau aligns with the federal rate of $7.25 per hour (as reported by Zippia). Major employers in the area include the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, OK Foods, Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center, Carl Albert State College, and Old Castle Infrastructure (as reported by the Fort Smith Regional Alliance).

The civilian unemployment rate in Oklahoma was steady at 3.3% in March (as reported by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission). Nationally, the unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.2% in March (as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics). While specific unemployment data for Poteau is not readily available, the state and national trends suggest a generally stable, though slightly increasing, employment landscape.

Climate and Weather

Poteau experiences hot and oppressive summers, with temperatures typically ranging from 31°F to 95°F throughout the year (as reported by Weather Spark). Winters are very cold and wet, and the city is partly cloudy year-round (as reported by Weather Spark). The average high temperature in July is 94°F, and the average low temperature in January is 31°F (as reported by NOAA).

The average annual rainfall in Poteau is approximately 46.74 inches (as reported by NOAA). May is typically the wettest month, with an average rainfall of 5.5 inches (as reported by Weather Spark). Snowfall is minimal, with an average of 5.9 inches annually (as reported by NOAA).

Education in Poteau

Poteau Public Schools is a highly-rated public school district with an overall Niche grade of A minus (as reported by Niche). The district serves approximately 2,187 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that about 43% of students are proficient in math and 52% in reading (as reported by Niche).

Poteau High School holds a B overall Niche grade, with specific grades of B minus for academics and B plus for sports (as reported by Niche). Poteau Upper Elementary School has an A rating, with an A minus for academics and an A plus for teachers (as reported by Niche). The “7th & 8th Grade Academic Center” also received an A minus (as reported by Niche).

Demographics of Poteau

Poteau, OK, is home to approximately 8,960 people (as reported by Data USA). The population is predominantly White (Non-Hispanic), making up about 7.67 times more residents than any other race or ethnicity (as reported by Data USA). American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) and individuals of Two or More Races are the second and third most common ethnic groups (as reported by Data USA).

Approximately 15.2% of Poteau’s residents identify as Hispanic (as reported by Data USA). The median age in Poteau is 36.7 years (as reported by Census Reporter). Around 94% of Poteau residents are U.S. citizens, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA).

Pros and Cons of Living in Poteau

Poteau offers a lower cost of living compared to the national average, with housing costs being particularly affordable. The median home price is around $150,050, significantly lower than the U.S. median (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). The average rent is also substantially below the national average, making it an attractive option for renters (as reported by Zillow).

The city is recognized for its highly-rated public schools, with elementary and middle schools receiving strong grades (as reported by Niche). Poteau also boasts a unique natural attraction, Cavanal Hill, known as the “World’s Highest Hill,” and hosts an annual Balloon Fest, contributing to its community appeal (as reported by the Fort Smith Regional Alliance). However, the overall crime rate is higher than the national average, with property crime being a notable concern (as reported by AreaVibes). The job market, while supported by major employers, may offer more limited opportunities with an average salary below national figures (as reported by Zippia).