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Sallisaw, Oklahoma

15 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1900 and the latest in 1978. It stands in the Sallisaw census division. It lies in ZIP code area 74955. It stands on Hog Creek. The Survey maps it on the Sallisaw quadrangle. 8,510 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 531 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Sallisaw within Sequoyah County

On record in Sallisaw

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 4 records

Surveyed buildings and structures 1 record

Population over time

2 figures

Sallisaw fell from 8,880 to 8,510 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
20108,880
20208,510-370 (-4%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

8 surveys from 15 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Photographs

8 of 12 photographs shown, 1936 to 1939

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

Daughter of woman tenant farmer reading magazine. Near Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Daughter of woman tenant farmer reading magazine. Near Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Clothes of white agricultural day laborers drying on old fence with broken plow in foreground, north of Sallisaw, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma
Clothes of white agricultural day laborers drying on old fence with broken plow in foreground, north of Sallisaw, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Main street during 1936 drought. Sallisaw, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma
Main street during 1936 drought. Sallisaw, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma
Lange, Dorothea, photographer, 1936. Library of Congress
Privy made of Purina Chow sacks, tenant farmer's. Near Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Privy made of Purina Chow sacks, tenant farmer's. Near Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Child looking out of window of tent home near Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Sequoyah County
Child looking out of window of tent home near Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Sequoyah County
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Children of tenant farmer living near Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Children of tenant farmer living near Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Articles on mantelpiece and photograph showing last reunion of deputy U.S. Marshals in Indian territory. Scene in home of farm family now on WPA (Works Progress Administration/ Work Projects Administration) near Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Articles on mantelpiece and photograph showing last reunion of deputy U.S. Marshals in Indian territory. Scene in home of farm family now on WPA (Works Progress Administration/ Work Projects Administration) near Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress
Indian mother and son, tenant farmers near Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Indian mother and son, tenant farmers near Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Lee, Russell, 1939. Library of Congress

Every photograph of Sequoyah County

Fires near this place

238 since 1992

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 238 fires within 5 miles of Sallisaw between 1992 and 2020, burning about 3,338 acres in total. 5 started naturally. 55 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined76
Debris and open burning60
Arson/incendiarism55
Equipment and vehicle use20
Recreation and ceremony8
Smoking6
Railroad operations and maintenance5
Natural5
Misuse of fire by a minor3

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
9 September 2002Equipment and vehicle useunder an acreOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named
7 September 1998Debris and open burning4.0 acresOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named
6 September 1998Smoking3.0 acresOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named
4 September 1996Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named
28 September 2016Debris and open burning20 acresOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named
28 September 2011Arson/incendiarism15 acresOklahoma Division of Forestry30489
2 September 2013Debris and open burning2.0 acresOklahoma Division of Forestrynot named
2 September 2010Equipment and vehicle use2.0 acresOklahoma Division of Forestry30463

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Sequoyah County

Mines and quarries near this place

5 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 5 workings within 5 miles of Sallisaw: 5 past producers. None of them still produces. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Clay. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Unknown Shale PitClayPast Producer
Unknown Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unknown Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

Every working recorded in Sequoyah County

Storms near this place

60 of 147 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Sallisaw in 147 storm reports between 1993 and 2025: 64 thunderstorm wind, 61 hail, 19 flash flood, 2 tornado. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
September 2025Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$250,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew off much of the metal roof from a hospital, blew down several trees and power poles, and snapped large tree limbs.
May 2011HailSallisaw$100,000Hail larger than baseball size was reported in and near town by the public, the broadcast media, and amateur radio operators. The hail damaged homes, businesses, and automobiles.
January 2002Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$100,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour produced damage to various objects along Kerr Lake to the southwest of Sallisaw. The damage included a small garage blown off its foundation, a travel trailer which was blown over, a chicken house which was blown off its foundation and a porch which was blown off a house.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$75,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew the roof off of a business.
May 2022HailSallisaw$50,000Golf ball size hail damaged homes, businesses, and vehicles.
June 2022FloodSallisaw$50,000Homes and buildings were flooded on the west side of town.
August 2003Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$50,000Thunderstorm winds produced by a microburst estimated at 70 miles an hour tore the roofs off of five metal barns at Blue Ribbon Downs. Although three horses were injured, no people were hurt.
September 1993Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$50,000no account filed
October 2018Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$25,000Strong thunderstorm wind destroyed two barns and snapped large tree limbs across a small area on the northwest side of Sallisaw.
May 2007Flash FloodSallisaw$25,000Heavy rains caused a house and a school to be flooded. Neighboring streets were also flooded.
August 2006Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$25,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 80 miles an hour blew the roof of an elementary school building. Numeorus power lines and 50 trees were also blown down.
August 2006Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$25,000The Oklahoma mesonet site near Sallisaw recorded at 59 mile an hour wind gust. In the city of Sallisaw the roof of a elementary school was damaged. The damage to the roof caused water to leak into the school causing some damage in the class rooms.
June 2025Tornado (EF1)Sallisaw$20,000This tornado formed between North Wheeler Avenue and the S 4640 Road, to the north of the E 1060 Road. The tornado traveled east-southeast , crossing the E 1060 Road near the S 4650 Road, and continued to the S 4670 Road before dissipating. It uprooted trees and damaged outbuildings. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 90 to 95 mph.
March 2024HailSallisaw$20,000Golf ball size hail damaged vehicles and homes.
November 1998Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$20,000A truck was blown onto its side at mile marker 311 on Interstate 40. Numerous trees and power lines were also blown down.
April 2011Flash FloodSallisaw$15,000Numerous county roads were closed due to high water and portions of I-40 were flooded. Several cars were stranded in the flood water.
March 2006Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$15,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour moved one end of a trailor home off its foundation and blew off its roof. Several trees were also blown down.
April 2005Tornado (F1)Sallisaw$15,000A tornado snapped a number of large trees and tree limbs, uprooted a number of large trees, severely damaged several metal barns, and snapped four power poles.
March 2013HailSallisaw$15,000no account filed
May 2020Flash FloodSallisaw$10,000Multiple roads were flooded on the west side of town, with one vehicle stranded in high water.
May 2005Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$10,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour caused damage near and at Blue Ribbon Downs. Large tree limbs were broken and at least one tree was uprooted. Roof damage to horse barns was also reported.
May 1999Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$10,000South of Sallisaw, a trailer was blown 15 feet into an electric pole. A nearby chicken house suffered serious damage, with 50-60 chickens perishing. Numerous tree limbs were blown down in Sallisaw.
June 1996Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$10,000no account filed
July 2022Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$5,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew down trees and power poles.
April 2020Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$5,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew shingles from the roof of a home, and blew down power poles north of Sallisaw.
March 2017Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$5,000Strong thunderstorm wind damaged a county barn and blew down power lines.
May 2017Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$5,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree onto a home.
September 2016Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$5,000Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs, blew down power poles, and damaged portable buildings in Sallisaw.
August 2003Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$5,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down trees and power poles.
July 2003Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$5,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 miles an hour blew down trees and tree limbs. The result was a few power outages.
May 2011HailSallisaw$5,000no account filed
June 2001Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$3,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 miles an hour blew down power lines.
December 1999Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$2,700Thunderstorm winds blew 27 trees down along State Highway 101.
January 2020Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$2,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew down power poles and trees. A storm spotter estimated wind gusts up to 70 mph.
August 2018Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$2,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew down two power poles and three trees in town.
October 2014Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$2,000Strong thunderstorm wind blew down power poles and power lines.
April 1999Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$2,000A shed was lifted and blown 100 feet.
September 2007Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$1,000Thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 miles an hour blew down a sign. The sign hit a car.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$500Winds blew over a large 70-year old pecan tree in Sallisaw.
May 1999Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$500Several 20-foot tall trees were blown over in Sallisaw.
May 2000Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$100Thunderstorm winds blew down large tree limbs.
November 1998Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$100A large tree was blown down across a road.
June 1997Thunderstorm WindSallisaw$100no account filed
March 2025Thunderstorm WindSallisaw-Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted a few trees, and snapped numerous large tree limbs in Sallisaw.
July 2025Flash FloodSallisaw-Portions of a number of roads in and around Sallisaw were flooded and impassable.
June 2022Flash FloodSallisaw-Portions of several roads were flooded on the west side of Sallisaw.
June 2022Flash FloodSallisaw-Portions of a number of roads were flooded across the county.
May 2021Flash FloodSallisaw-Portions of W Redwood Avenue were flooded.
May 2020Flash FloodSallisaw-Multiple roads were flooded in and around Sallisaw.
May 2020Thunderstorm WindSallisaw-Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindSallisaw-Thunderstorm wind gusts were measured to 62 mph.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindSallisaw-Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree.
August 2019Thunderstorm WindSallisaw-Strong thunderstorm wind blew down large trees on Highway 59 near Sallisaw.
March 2017Thunderstorm WindSallisaw-Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated to 60 mph.
April 2017Thunderstorm WindSallisaw-Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.
August 2017Flash FloodSallisaw-Portions of some roads east of Sallisaw were flooded and impassable. A water rescue was required on the E 1070 Road.
May 2016Thunderstorm WindSallisaw-Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a few trees.
May 2015Flash FloodSallisaw-Small creeks around town flooded over roadways. One water rescue occurred.
May 2015Flash FloodSallisaw-Several roads in Sallisaw were closed due to high water.
June 2015Thunderstorm WindSallisaw-Strong thunderstorm wind blew down a tree near mile marker 315 on I-40.

Every storm recorded in Sequoyah County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Seven Oaks3.3 miles14
Hanson5.0 miles14
Harrison5.1 miles15
McKey5.4 miles16
Akins6.1 miles18
Sadie6.1 miles15
Brent6.4 miles15
Dwight Mission6.9 miles17

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on SallisawAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q2984962The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 1097661. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.