SE Oklahoma Municipalities

Hometown Living

Our unique city, Sallisaw, has a population of 8,500 residents. It blends lower-middle-class to middle-class neighborhoods, some impoverished areas, and pockets of affluence. Residents cherish community ties, outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, and shopping at discount stores.

However, the city also faces challenges such as high poverty rates, limited employment opportunities, substandard housing, good schools but with low educational achievement, and social issues. Sallisaw has a spotlight on Carl Albert State College facility, a technolgoy center, newer school buildings, a historical site, a car museum, and a city-owned small lake. The town takes pride in its family-run restaurants offering home-style southern-influenced food and authentic Tex-Mex cuisine.

Community spirit is fostered through rodeos, parades, and football games. However, the city also grapples with housing problems, drug-related issues, and trafficking. Unique rural living is a defining feature, with some residents living on larger tracts of land. Parts of the city are relatively isolated due to railroad tracks, making navigation by car easier in some areas than others.

Oklahoma boasts one of the lowest costs of living in the country, offering a unique opportunity for residents relocating from regions such as California to purchase larger homes for less money, leaving them with extra funds to invest. The city government has a business development and business retention department, which aims to decrease employment difficulties. Many residents would like to be more satisfied with the city’s responsiveness.

A large employer—the Veteran’s Administration—will soon be completed with a large complex that will house veterans. Police and County law enforcement are tasked with decreasing crime and drug issues with mixed results. Some of the city government issues stem from nepotism and the “good-old-boy” syndrome. Long-time residents miss some of the activities once available such as the local movie theater and skating rink, which have shut down.

Long lost, there used to be a “cruise night” for the city’s youth. Even with that ritual gone, the city embraces a tight-knit community spirit, offering a mix of outdoor activities, family-run restaurants, and events like rodeos and parades. However, it also grapples with challenges such as high poverty rates, limited employment opportunities, housing issues, and social problems.

Despite these difficulties, the city presents an opportunity for business ventures to construct affordable housing making it an attractive option for those seeking a change from urban lifestyles.

The city government’s efforts are focused on addressing employment difficulties and crime. Still, there are areas where residents seek more responsiveness. Oklahoma’s rich history and unique lifestyle make it a city with struggles and opportunities.

Sallisaw’ residents, experience diverse neighborhoods, challenges, community spirit, and opportunities. It is a tight-knit community, offering outdoor activities, family-run restaurants, and affordable living. The city grapples with poverty, limited employment, housing issues, and some social problems. -Government efforts focus on addressing employment difficulties and crime. – Oklahoma’s rich history and Cherokee Nation’s influence present a  city poised for growth with a laid back lifestyle.

 

Sallisaw highlights.

1. Emphasis on community ties and family and community-oriented lifestyle

2. Prefernences for convenience in daily life

3. Enjoyment of outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing

4. Reliance on television for entertainment and staying informed

5. Use of discount stores for shopping and favoring budget-conscious shopping habits

 

There are pockets of impoverished older neighborhoods and run-down trailer parks

• 1. High poverty rate: Many residents fall below the federal poverty level. 
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• 2. Limited job availability: Few local jobs are accessible, particularly those with good wages. 
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• 3. Poor housing conditions: Older, deteriorated housing with potential issues like overcrowding and maintenance. 
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• 4. Low educational attainment: Lower rates of high school graduation and college attendance compared to other areas. 
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• 6. Social challenges: Higher crime rates, limited access to healthcare, and social isolation. 
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Pockets of affluence

You know you’re driving through an affluent neighborhood when you see large houses, perfect landscaping, and expensive cars.

 

Understated wealth of local entrepreneurs and land-rich long-timers

 

Assets of the city include

A spotlight State College facility

Newer school buildings with an astroturf high school football stadium

Newly built sports part with a well-lit walking trail, well-key grounds, and very nice ball fields.

A city-owned and operated small lake

A historical site of Sequoyah’s home

A car museum

The citizens favor family-run restaurants with home-style southern-influenced food and authentic Tex-Mex cuisine. This love for local eateries fosters a sense of belonging and shared experiences among the residents. The city also hosts rodeos and community parades, further strengthening the community spirit.

The city hosts rodeos and community parades.

Football games provide entertainment for the city, as do “Sallisaw Days,” which last about one week in the summer months.

Housing is a struggle – especially low-income housing.

Drugs and trafficking pose difficulty.

There is an abundance of churches, denominations, and marijuana stores.

Many residents – especially in impoverished areas – are supported by welfare, disability support, and social security.

Residents surrounding the city live in rural areas, often located on larger tracts of land, although some rural communities exist.

 

 

 

Differences between Small Town Sinceritiy and Traditional living

1. Lifestyle: Small Town Sincerity reflects a down-to-earth, semirural lifestyle focusing on activities such as online computer games, renting movies, indoor gardening, hunting, and fishing, while Traditional Living embodies low-density, settled neighborhoods with a mix of married-couple families and singles who enjoy outdoor activities like fishing and shopping at discount stores.

2. Consumer Behavior: Small Town Sincerity residents prefer a price-conscious approach, utilizing coupons at discount centers, while Traditional Living households tend to carry credit card balances and shop for groceries at discount stores. 3. Financial Habits: Small Town Sincerity residents keep their finances simple, paying bills in person and avoiding debt, whereas Traditional Living residents are more likely to carry credit card balances and use convenience stores for fuel and incidentals.

4. Age Demographics: Small Town Sincerity includes young families and senior householders, while Traditional Living comprises a younger market—beginning householders juggling the responsibilities of living independently or a new marriage while retaining their youthful interests in style and fun.

5. Media Consumption: While Small Town Sincerity residents rely heavily on television or newspapers to stay informed, Traditional Living residents are portrayed as being connected, albeit not to the latest or greatest gadgets.

Small Town Sincerity

Small Town Sincerity includes young families and senior householders bound by community ties. The lifestyle is down-to-earth and semirural, with television for entertainment and news and an emphasis on convenience for both young parents and senior citizens. Residents embark on pursuits including online computer games, renting movies, indoor gardening, and rural activities like hunting and fishing. Residents keep their finances simple—paying bills in person and avoiding debt.

Small Town Sincerity features a semirural lifestyle with domestic trucks and SUVs, ATVs, and vegetable gardens. Residents enjoy outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, as well as watching NASCAR, college football, and basketball on TV. A large senior population visits doctors and health practitioners regularly. This often single population favors convenience over cooking—frozen meals and fast food. Home improvement is not a priority, but vehicle maintenance is.

• Education: 67% with a high school diploma or some college.
• Price-conscious consumers shop accordingly, with coupons at discount centers.
• Connected, but not to the latest or greatest gadgets
• Community-oriented residents; conservative population
• Rely heavily on television or newspapers to stay informed.

 

Traditional Living

Residents in this segment live primarily in low-density, settled neighborhoods in the Midwest. The households are a mix of married-couple families and singles. Many families encompass two generations who have lived and worked in the community; their children are likely to follow suit. The manufacturing, retail trade, and healthcare sectors are these residents’ primary employment sources. This is a younger market—beginning householders juggling the responsibilities of living independently or a new marriage while retaining their youthful interests in style and fun. They shop for groceries at discount stores such as Walmart Supercenters. Households generally have one or two cars.

• Convenience stores are commonly used for fuel or picking up incidentals.
• Tend to carry credit card balances.
• Enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing
• Fast-food devotees.

 

Rustic Outposts

Characteristics:

• Rural living preference with emphasis on outdoor activities and traditional values, rooted in sparsely populated communities.
• Limited internet use for transactions, reliance on traditional media sources for information.
• Emphasis on religious faith, family history, and a do-it-yourself mentality.
• Ownership of homes, many of which are single-family or mobile homes, primarily by married couples without children or single households.
• Budget-minded, opt for cost-effective options when shopping and dining.

 

Rural Bypasses

Rural Bypasses residents prefer trucks over sedans, typical of their country lifestyle. To save money, households shop at discount department stores like Walmart and warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club. Magazines are a popular source of news and entertainment, particularly for fishing, hunting, and automotive types. As satellite TV subscribers, they regularly watch sports programming.

Open space, undeveloped land, and farmland characterize Rural Bypasses. These families live within small towns along country back roads and enjoy the open air in these sparsely populated neighborhoods. Their country lifestyle focuses on the outdoors, gardening, hunting, and fishing. They are more likely to own a satellite dish than a home computer. Although most households do have a connection to the Internet, use is very limited. Those not yet retired work in blue-collar jobs in the agriculture or manufacturing industries.

• An older market, with more married couples without children and single households
• The average household size is slightly lower at 2.55.
• Most residents own single-family homes or mobile homes.
• Most housing was built from 1970 to 1989
• Residents live in very rural areas, almost entirely in the South.
• Nearly 25% have not finished high school; 11% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Income is primarily derived from wages supplemented with Social Security
• Religion and faith are central to their lives

Economic Bedrock

Close to one in five employed residents work in mining, oil and gas extraction, or quarrying industries. Economic BedRock is a very rural, primarily Southern market. Married-couple families reside in over half of the households, with a quarter of households that live in mobile homes. This socially conservative group earns a living working with their hands. In addition to mining, construction, and agriculture are common industries for employment. They take pride in the appearance of their homes and their vehicles. Budget-minded residents enjoy home cooking but nothing too fancy. This is a gregarious group that values time spent with friends.

Rural living: Homes are sparsely located throughout the countryside. These families have roots in their communities and do not move often; most of the households are owner-occupied. Most homes are worth less than $100,000, with a quarter of these being mobile homes. The remaining homes are single-family houses. This group is typically a married couple. A quarter of all housing units are mobile homes.

This group holds strong religious beliefs. They make purchases for today because tomorrow is uncertain. They are happy to go to work whenever the opportunity presents itself. Budgeted vacations are taken within the US, not abroad.

• Own a domestic truck, dog, and ATV.
• Watch a lot of TV, including programs on CMT and the Discovery Channel.
• A few are still hanging onto their landlines (no cell phones).
• Dine at Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut, Sonic Drive-in, and Golden Corral.
• Hunting, yard work, and gardening are popular activities.
• Shop at department and discount stores—mostly dollar stores.
• Many are well-insured, from auto, vision, life, and prescription plans to Medicare.
• For convenience, they pick up prescriptions at the closest pharmacy.

Rooted Rural

• This group enjoys time spent outdoors, hunting, fishing, or working in their gardens. Indoors, they enjoy
• They were watching television with their spouses and spending time with their pets. When shopping, they looked for American-made and generic products. These communities are heavy Shoppers who use coupons frequently and buy generic goods.
• This group is heavily influenced by religious faith and family history. They have a do-it-yourself mentality; they grow their own produce and work on their cars and ATVs. They prefer to do business, such as paying bills in person, and avoid using the Internet for financial transactions. They often find computers and cell phones too complicated and confusing. Clothes are a necessity, not a fashion statement; they only buy new clothes when old clothes wear out.
• This market is dominated by married couples, few with children at home.
• 80% of homes are owner-occupied, primarily single-family (73%) or mobile homes (24%).
• Nearly one in five housing units is vacant, with a high proportion for seasonal use.
• Home values are very low—almost half of owned homes are valued under $100,000.

 

Cozy Country Living

Heartland Communities

Well settled and close-knit, Heartland Communities
residents are semirural and semiretired. These older
householders are primarily homeowners, and many have
paid off their mortgages. Their children have moved away,
but they have no plans to leave their homes. Their hearts
are with the country; they embrace the slower pace of life
here but actively participate in outdoor activities and
community events. Traditional and patriotic, these residents
support their local businesses, always buy American, and
favor domestic driving vacations over foreign plane trip

Retirees in this market depress the average labor
force participation rate to less than 60% (Index 94).
More workers are white collar than blue collar;
more skilled than unskilled.
• The rural economy of this market provides
employment in the manufacturing, construction,
utilities, health-care, and agriculture industries.
• These are budget-savvy consumers; they stick to
brands they grew up with and know the price of
goods they purchase. Buying American is important.
• Daily life is busy but routine. Working on the
weekends is not uncommon.
• Residents trust TV and newspapers more than
any other media.
• Skeptical about their financial future, they stick
to community banks and low-risk investments.

Rural communities or small towns
are concentrated in the Midwest,
from older Rustbelt cities to
the Great Plains.
• Distribution of household types is
comparable to the US, primarily (but
not the majority) married couples,
more with no children, and a
slightly higher proportion of singles
(Index 112) that reflects the aging
of the population.
• Residents own modest,
single-family homes built
before 1970.
• They own one or two vehicles;
commutes are short (Index 82).

 

Traditional in their ways, residents of Heartland Communities choose to bank and
pay their bills in person and purchase insurance from an agent.
• Most have high-speed internet access at home or on their cell phone but aren’t ready
to go paperless.
• Many residents have paid off their home mortgages but still hold auto loans and student
loans. Interest checking accounts are common.
• To support their local community, residents participate in public activities.
• Home remodeling is not a priority, but homeowners do tackle necessary maintenance
work on their cherished homes. They have invested in riding lawn mowers to maintain
their larger yards.
• They enjoy country music and watch CMT.
• Motorcycling, hunting, and fishing are popular; walking is the main form of exercise.
• To get around these semirural communities, residents prefer domestic trucks or SUVs.

Salt of the Earth

Salt of the Earth residents are entrenched in their traditional,
rural lifestyles. Citizens here are older, and many have
grown children that have moved away. They still cherish
family time and also tending to their vegetable gardens
and preparing homemade meals. Residents embrace the
outdoors; they spend most of their free time preparing for
their next fishing, boating, or camping trip. The majority has
at least a high school diploma or some college education;
many have expanded their skill set during their years of
employment in the manufacturing and related industries. They
may be experts with DIY projects, but the latest technology
is not their forte. They use it when absolutely necessary,
but seek face-to-face contact in their routine activities.

This large segment is concentrated in the
Midwest, particularly in Ohio, Pennsylvania,
and Indiana.
• Due to their rural setting, households own
two vehicles to cover their long commutes,
often across county boundaries.
• Homeownership rates are very high
(Index 133). Single-family homes are
affordable, valued at 25% less than the
national market.
• Nearly two in three households are
composed of married couples; less than
half have children at home.

Steady employment in construction,
manufacturing, and related service industries.
• Completed education: 40% with a
high school diploma only.
• Household income just over the
national median, while net worth is
nearly double the national median.
• Spending time with family is their top priority.
• Cost-conscious consumers, loyal to brands
they like, with a focus on buying American.
• Last to buy the latest and greatest products.
• Try to eat healthy, tracking the nutrition
and ingredients in the food they purcha

• Outdoor sports and activities, such as fishing, boating, hunting, and
overnight camping trips, are popular.
• To support their pastimes, truck ownership is high; many also own an ATV.
• They own the equipment to maintain their lawns and tend to their vegetable gardens.
• Residents often tackle home remodeling and improvement jobs themselves.
• Due to their locale, they own satellite dishes and have access to high-speed internet
connections like DSL.
• These conservative consumers prefer to conduct their business in person
rather than online. They use an agent to purchase insurance.

 

Green Acres

The Green Acres lifestyle features country living and
self-reliance. Avid do-it-yourselfers, they maintain and
remodel their homes with all the necessary power tools to
accomplish the jobs. Gardening, especially growing
vegetables, is a priority, again with the right tools, tillers,
tractors, and riding mowers. Outdoor living features a
variety of sports: hunting and fishing, motorcycling, hiking
and camping, and even golf.

This large segment is concentrated in
rural enclaves in metropolitan areas.
• Primarily (not exclusively) older homes
with acreage; new housing growth in
the past 15 years.
• Single-family, owner-occupied housing,
with a median value of $235,500.
• An older market, primarily married
couples, most with no children.

Education: More than 60% are college educated.
• Labor force participation rate is high at 66.8%
(Index 107).
• Income is derived not only from wages and salaries
but also from self-employment (more than 13%
of households), investments (27% of households),
and increasingly, from retirement.
• They are cautious consumers with a focus on
quality and durability.
• Comfortable with technology, more as a tool
than a trend: banking or paying bills online is
convenient; but the internet is not viewed
as entertainment.
• Economic outlook is professed as pessimistic, but
consumers are comfortable with debt, primarily
as home and auto loans, and investments.

Purchasing choices reflect Green Acres residents’ country life, including a variety of
vehicles, from trucks and SUVs to ATVs and motorcycles, preferably late model.
• Homeowners favor DIY home improvement projects and gardening.
• Media of choice are provided by satellite service, radio, and television, also with
an emphasis on country and home and garden.
• Green Acres residents pursue physical fitness vigorously, from working out on
home exercise equipment to playing a variety of sports.
• Residents are active in their communities and a variety of social organizations, from
charitable to veterans’ clubs.

 

GenXurban

Parks and Recreation

These suburbanites have achieved the dream of home
-ownership. They have purchased homes that are within
their means. Their homes are older, and townhomes and
duplexes are not uncommon. Many of these families are
two-income married couples approaching retirement age;
they are comfortable in their jobs and their homes, budget
wisely, but do not plan on retiring anytime soon
or moving. Neighborhoods are well established, as are
the amenities and programs that supported their now
independent children through school and college. The
appeal of these kid-friendly neighborhoods is now
attracting a new generation of young couples.

 

Homes are primarily owner-occupied,
single-family residences built prior to 1970;
townhomes and duplexes are scattered
through the neighborhoods.
• Both median home value and average
rent are close to the national level.
• Households by type mirror the US
distribution; married couples, more
without children, dominate. Average
household size is slightly lower at 2.51,
but this market is also a bit older.

 

More than half of the population is
college educated.
• Older residents draw Social Security
and retirement income.
• The workforce is diverse: professionals
in health care, retail trade, and education,
or skilled workers in manufacturing
and construction.
• This is a financially shrewd market;
consumers are careful to research
their big-ticket purchases.
• When planning trips, they search for
discounted airline fares and hotels and
choose to vacation within the US.
• These residents tend to use their cell
phones for calls and texting only.

 

Cost and practicality come first when purchasing a vehicle; Parks and Rec residents
are more likely to buy SUVs or trucks over compact or subcompact vehicles.
• Budget-conscious consumers stock up on staples at warehouse clubs.
• Pass time at home watching documentaries on Animal Planet, Discovery, or History
channels. For an outing, they choose to dine out at family-style restaurants and
attend movies.
• Convenience is important in the kitchen; they regularly use frozen or packaged
main course meals. Ground coffee is preferred over coffee beans.
• Residents here take advantage of local parks and recreational activities. Their exercise
routine is a balance of home-based exercise; a session at their local community gym;
or a quick jog, swim, or run.

 

Rustbelt Traditions

The backbone of older industrial cities in states
surrounding the Great Lakes, Rustbelt Traditions
residents are a mix of married-couple families
and singles living in older developments of
single-family homes. While varied, the workforce
is primarily white collar, with a higher concentration of skilled workers in manufacturing, retail
trade, and health care. Rustbelt Traditions
represents a large market of stable, hardworking
consumers with modest incomes but an average
net worth of nearly $400,000. Family oriented,
they value time spent at home. Most have lived,
worked, and played in the same area for years.

Almost half (46%) of the households are married-couple
families, similar to the US (48%), most without children
(also similar to the US); the slightly higher proportion
of singles (Index 105) reflects the aging of the population.
• Average household size is slightly lower at 2.47.
• They are movers, slightly more mobile than the US
population (Index 109), but over 70% of householders
moved into their current homes before 2010.
• Most residents live in modest, single-family homes in
older neighborhoods built in the 1950s (Index 224).
• Nearly three quarters own their homes; nearly half of
households have mortgages.
• A large and growing market, Rustbelt Traditions
residents are located in the dense urban fringe of
metropolitan areas throughout the Midwest and South.
• Most households have one to two vehicles available.

 

Most have graduated from high school or
spent some time at a college or university.
• Labor force participation slightly higher
than the US at 67%.
• While most income is derived from
wages and salaries, nearly 31% of
households collect Social Security
and nearly 20% draw income from
retirement accounts.
• Family-oriented consumers who value
time spent at home.
• Most have lived, worked, and played in
the same area for years.
• Budget-aware shoppers that favor
American-made products.
• Read newspapers, especially the
Sunday editions

• Residents take advantage of convenience stores for fueling up and picking up incidentals.
• Watching television is a common pastime; many households have more than four TVs.
• Favorite programming ranges from Freeform, A&E, and TNT to
children’s shows on Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel.
• Residents are connected; entertainment activities like online gaming dominate
their internet usage.
• Favorite family restaurants include Applebee’s, Arby’s, and Texas Roadhouse.
• Radio dials are typically tuned to classic rock stations

Prairie Living

Prairie Living is Tapestry Segmentation’s most rural market,
comprising about 1.2% of households, located mainly in
the Midwest, with a predominance of
self-employed farmers. These agricultural communities
are dominated by married-couple families that own single
family dwellings and many vehicles. Median household
income is similar to the US, and labor force participation
is slightly higher. Faith is important to this market. When
they find time to relax, they favor outdoor activities.

 

About four-fifths of households are
owner occupied.
• Dominant household type is
married couples with no children.
• Most are single-family homes (87%)
built before 1980; a higher proportion
were built before 1940 (Index 218).
• Higher percentage of vacant housing
units is at 16.5% (Index 146).
• Most households own two or three vehicles;
this is the highest ranked market for
owning four or more vehicles.

More than half have completed some
college education or hold a degree.
• Labor force participation rate slightly
higher at 65%.
• Wage and salary income for 72% of
households plus self-employment
income for 23% (Index 217).
• Faith and religion are important
to these residents.
• Tend to buy things when they need
them rather than when they want them
or to be trendy.
• Somewhat resistant to new technology.
• Creatures of habit when purchasing
food items.

Many own a truck, riding lawn mower, and ATV/UTV and have a satellite dish.
• They purchased plants and seeds in the past year for their vegetable garden,
where their tiller comes in handy.
• They favor banking in person, have noninterest checking accounts, invest in CDs
(more than 6 months), and have term/whole life insurance.
• They are pet owners.
• Leisure activities include fishing, hunting, boating, camping, and attending
country music concerts.
• Residents prefer to listen to faith and inspirational, as well as country music on the radio.
• They read the local newspaper as well as home service and fishing/hunting magazines.
• They contribute to religious organizations and belong to religious clubs.
• Walmart is a favorite shopping stop; Subway is a favorite eating spot.

 

Senior Styles

Retirement Communities

Retirement Communities neighborhoods are evenly
distributed across the country. They combine single-family
homes and independent living with apartments, assisted
living, and continuous care nursing facilities. Over half of
the housing units are in multiunit structures, and the
majority of residents have a lease. This group enjoys
watching cable TV and stays up-to-date with newspapers
and magazines. Residents take pride in fiscal responsibility
and keep a close eye on their finances. Although income
and net worth are below national averages, residents enjoy
going to the movies, fishing, and taking vacations. While
some residents enjoy cooking, many would rather dine out.

• Much of the housing was built in the 1970s
and 1980s—a mix of single-family homes
and large multiunit structures that function
at various levels of senior care.
• Small household size; many residents have
outlived their partners and live alone.
• Over half of the homes are renter occupied.
• Average rent is slightly below the
US average.
• Nearly one in five households has
no vehicle.

 

Brand loyal, this segment will spend a
little more for their favorite brands,
but most likely they will have a coupon.
• Frugal, they pay close attention to finances.
• They prefer reading magazines over
interacting with computers.
• They are health conscious and prefer
name-brand drugs.

 

• Enjoy hard-cover books, book clubs, crossword puzzles, and Sudoku.
• Contribute to political organizations and other groups.
• Entertainment preferences: playing cards and reading books.
• Prefer watching cable TV, including premium channels like HBO and Cinemax.
• Like to travel—including visits to foreign countries.
• Shop at diverse, large retail chains like Sears, Family Dollar, Target, and Walmart
for convenience.