The Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City published a new issue of its quarterly Oklahoma Economist, "Oklahoma Tribal Area Economies: Rising Incomes, Falling Poverty," examining economic progress among Native Americans in Oklahoma over the past 10 to 15 years. The analysis links Oklahoma’s labor force participation rate recently surpassing the US rate for the first time in decades to increased workforce participation among Native Americans. The publication notes that Native Americans make up a share of Oklahoma’s population about seven times the national average, with most living in one of 26 Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Areas that cover most of the state’s land mass and around two-thirds of its population. It reports that as incomes and education levels have increased in these areas, poverty rates among Native Americans have fallen by more than the national average in most areas, although poverty among Native Americans remains above average in most Oklahoma tribal areas.
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City 2025-01-07
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Oklahoma City Branch releases Oklahoma Economist on rising incomes and falling poverty in Oklahoma tribal areas
The Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City released a report, "Oklahoma Tribal Area Economies: Rising Incomes, Falling Poverty," highlighting economic progress among Native Americans in Oklahoma. The state's labor force participation rate surpasses the national rate due to increased participation among Native Americans. Despite rising incomes and education levels, poverty rates among Native Americans have decreased but remain above average in most tribal areas.