Moving to Quapaw, Oklahoma

Quapaw, Oklahoma is a small city located in the northeast corner of the state. It is situated on the banks of the Neosho River and is part of the tri-state area of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. The city has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The average temperature in summer is around 84 degrees Fahrenheit while in winter it drops to 40 degrees.

The history of Quapaw dates back to 1832 when a group of Osage Indians settled here after being removed from Missouri by treaty. During this time, Quapaw was known as “The Gate City” due to its location near the entrance to Indian Territory. In 1872, it became an incorporated town and later became a city in 1895.

Politically, Quapaw is part of Ottawa County which has been traditionally Republican since its founding in 1907. The current mayor is Tom Smith who was elected in 2019. The city council consists of five members who are all elected at large for four-year terms.

The economy of Quapaw relies heavily on agriculture with many farmers growing corn and soybeans as well as raising cattle and hogs. There are also several small businesses located within the city limits that provide jobs for local residents including restaurants, retail stores, gas stations, and banks.

Quapaw has two public schools: Quapaw Elementary School and Quapaw High School which serve grades pre-K through 12th grade respectively. Both schools offer a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams, band, drama club, NHS honor society, and student council which are all open to students from both schools.

When it comes to landmarks there are several places that stand out for visitors including the Neosho River Bridge that connects Oklahoma with Kansas; St John’s Catholic Church which was built in 1868; Pioneer Park which features a playground for children; historic downtown area filled with small shops; and an old train depot from the early 1900s that now serves as museum showcasing artifacts from early settlers in Quapaw’s history .

Population: 984. Estimated population in July 2024: 975 (-0.9% change)
Males: 485 (49.3%), Females: 499 (50.7%)

Ottawa County

Zip code: 74363

Demographics

Median resident age: 35.3 years
Median household income: $24,083
Median house value: $37,700

Population by Race

Races in Quapaw:

  • White Non-Hispanic (67.9%)
  • American Indian (30.8%)
  • Two or more races (8.6%)
  • Hispanic (1.5%)

Ancestries: German (11.9%), United States (10.6%), English (8.0%), Irish (7.4%), Dutch (3.5%), French (1.6%).

Elevation: 840 feet

Land area: 0.6 square miles

Population by Education

Quapaw, Oklahoma is a small town located in Ottawa County in the northeastern corner of the state. It has a population of just over 1,000 people, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. The town was founded in 1872 and named after the Quapaw Tribe of Native Americans who lived in the area before white settlers arrived. The majority of Quapaw’s population is made up of Native Americans, with more than 80% identifying as such. This percentage is higher than most other towns and cities across Oklahoma, which averages around 13%. The rest of Quapaw’s population is mostly made up of white and African-American residents.

The town’s economy is heavily reliant on agriculture and tourism due to its location near Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees, one of Oklahoma’s most popular recreational areas. The Quapaw Tribe also operates two casinos nearby which provide additional economic opportunities for local residents. Additionally, there are several small businesses located within Quapaw that cater to both locals and visitors alike. These include restaurants, convenience stores, and various services such as auto repair shops and beauty salons. Education is provided by the Quapaw Public School District which includes an elementary school and high school.

For population 25 years and over in Quapaw

  • High school or higher: 67.7%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.2%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 1.2%
  • Unemployed: 8.2%
  • Mean travel time to work: 21.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Quapaw town

  • Never married: 24.9%
  • Now married: 54.0%
  • Separated: 1.9%
  • Widowed: 9.6%
  • Divorced: 9.6%

0.0% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +92 (+10.3%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Quapaw:

  • WILLOW CREST HOSPITAL (about 8 miles; MIAMI, OK)
  • INTEGRIS BAPTIST REG HEALTH CENTER (about 11 miles; MIAMI, OK)
  • ST JOHNS MAUDE NORTON MEMORIAL HOSP (about 17 miles; COLUMBUS, KS)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Quapaw:

  • JOPLIN REGIONAL (about 26 miles; JOPLIN, MO; Abbreviation: JLN)
  • NORTHWEST ARKANSAS RGNL (about 59 miles; FAYETTEVILLE/SPRINGDALE/, AR; Abbreviation: XNA)
  • DRAKE FIELD (about 79 miles; FAYETTEVILLE, AR; Abbreviation: FYV)

Other public-use airports nearest to Quapaw:

  • MIAMI MUNI (about 8 miles; MIAMI, OK; Abbreviation: MIO)
  • OSWEGO MUNI (about 22 miles; OSWEGO, KS; Abbreviation: K67)
  • GROVE MUNI (about 25 miles; GROVE, OK; Abbreviation: GMJ)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Quapaw:

  • MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE COLLEGE (about 23 miles; JOPLIN, MO; Full-time enrollment: 4,569)
  • PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY (about 32 miles; PITTSBURG, KS; Full-time enrollment: 5,566)
  • NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 56 miles; BENTONVILLE, AR; Full-time enrollment: 2,197)
  • NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 72 miles; TAHLEQUAH, OK; Full-time enrollment: 6,610)
  • UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS MAIN CAMPUS (about 78 miles; FAYETTEVILLE, AR; Full-time enrollment: 13,324)
  • UNIVERSITY OF TULSA (about 98 miles; TULSA, OK; Full-time enrollment: 3,760)
  • TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 98 miles; TULSA, OK; Full-time enrollment: 8,727)

Schools

Public high school in Quapaw:

  • QUAPAW HS (Students: 189; Location: 305 WEST 1ST STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Quapaw:

  • QUAPAW ES (Students: 320; Location: 301 MCDONALD DRIVE; Grades: PK – 05)
  • QUAPAW MS (Students: 161; Location: 300 WEST 1ST ST.; Grades: 06 – 08)