Long before Sallisaw’s official incorporation in 1898, French settlers hunted bison in the area, using salt deposits from the Arkansas River to preserve the meat. The Oklahoma town’s name derived from the French word for salting – salaison. Located about 95 miles southeast of Tulsa, the seat of Sequoyah County was once a busy railroad town and steamboat landing. Agricultural and economic decline lowered the town’s population, currently around 8,000. However, a turnaround could be on the horizon, thanks to recent industrial developments. “After years of not growing, the town’s finally growing,” says Destry Graham, Realtor with All Pro River Valley Realty. “But it’s still a nice rural town.”
Brent is just South of Sallisaw on US-59 near the Arkansas River.
Sallisaw Farmer's Market is open every Saturday from 8 to noon in downtown Sallisaw.
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New developments in manufacturing and healthcare
The SLPT Global Pump Group recently added a manufacturing plant to the city’s industrial park, helping to fuel the area’s economic growth. Jobs in healthcare are also available, with Northeastern Health System Sequoyah occupying a block of land in the residential area north of downtown. Sallisaw Veterans Home, a 175-bed long-term care center, opened in February 2025. Several new chain restaurants and convenience stores are cropping up around the major highways, and Cherokee Casino Sallisaw provides more hospitality-related jobs.
Cherokee Casino in Sallisaw provides jobs and entertainment for the area.
SLPT Global Pump Group is a large employer located in the Sallisaw Industrial Park.
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Median home price low by state and national standards
The median home price of $165,000 is less than half the national median and significantly lower than Oklahoma’s median price. The influx of jobs created by the VA hospital and manufacturing plant has spurred the housing market. Starter homes and investment properties might cost $100,000 to $200,000, while larger custom builds and new construction sell for $250,000 to $450,000. Riverfront properties in neighborhoods like Brent can cost $450,000 to $550,000.
Find modern lakefront property down the gravel roads in Brent, South of Sallisaw.
Find sprawling farm and ranch land on the outskirts of Sallisaw.
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Sallisaw High School’s championship band
Sallisaw Public Schools earns a Niche grade of B-plus. The high school band has won several state championships in recent years, with three consecutive titles from 2021 through 2023.
Sallisaw High School receives average scores with a B on Niche.
Sallisaw Middle School is highly rated with an A- on Niche.
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Hunting and fishing in rural Oklahoma
“Most of the landscape’s pretty open, but we have lots of woods that are good for hunting,” Graham says. The city is about 15 miles from the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, a prime spot for waterfowl. The Robert S. Kerr Reservoir offers over 10,000 acres for hunting, as well as opportunities for fishing, boating and hiking. Closer to home, city parks feature sports complexes, disc golf courses and picnic areas.
A collection of old cabins downtown make up the 14 Flags Museum. Named for the various nations that helped shape the state of Oklahoma, the museum preserves the history of the Cherokee settlers, as well as the Civil War years. Another historic monument sits north of the city: Sequoyah’s Cabin, the former home of the man credited with creating the Cherokee Nation’s alphabet.
Neighbors love fishing at the base of Robert S Kerr Lock and Dam near Brent.
Sequoyah's Cabin near Sallisaw is a monument to Sequoyah's efforts to unite the Cherokee Nation
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Southern comfort food and specialty shops
Downtown Sallisaw’s antique stores and specialty shops draw visitors from nearby towns, and the dining scene focuses on barbecue and Southern comfort foods. Chain restaurants and department stores like Walmart Supercenter are concentrated around the intersection of Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 59. The Cherokee Casino Sallisaw is also near the interstate and hosts live performers on weekends.
Sallisaw is about 95 miles southeast of Tulsa and the closest major airport. With the interstate passing through the southern edge of town, it’s easy to connect to State Highway 351, which leads into Tulsa.
Chain stores and discount stores can be found along I-40 in Sallisaw.
Find more unique options at boutiques and antique stores in downtown Sallisaw.
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Churches dotting the Bible Belt
Oklahoma is home to numerous churches, including the First United Methodist Church, which opened its doors nearly two centuries ago.
Environmental concerns and crime risk
Sallisaw residents contend with hot and muggy weather throughout summer, while winters are generally mild. Tornado activity is common in Oklahoma, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture invested in a storm warning siren for the city in 2024. Homes on the southern outskirts of town might be prone to flooding due to their location near the Arkansas River.
According to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation data, the city’s crime rates are higher than state and national figures. However, rates of property and violent crime declined slightly from 2023 to 2024.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
