Best counties to live in Oklahoma

Written by:
April 8, 2024
Laura Beach // Shutterstock

Best counties to live in Oklahoma

More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.

Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.

Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.

Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Oklahoma using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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Charles Lemar Brown // Shutterstock

#30. Jefferson County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 730
- Population: 5,420
- Median household income: $48,346
- Median home value: $72,200 (72% own)
- Median rent: $566 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Waurika Elementary School (grade A minus), Waurika Middle School (grade B+), Waurika High School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Waurika (grade B), Cornish (grade B), Ringling (grade B)

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#29. McCurtain County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 720
- Population: 31,003
- Median household income: $47,046
- Median home value: $111,400 (72% own)
- Median rent: $677 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Lukfata Public School (grade A+), Holly Creek Public School (grade A), Denison Public School (grade A)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Idabel (grade B+), Broken Bow (grade B), Wright City (grade B)

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#28. Texas County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 672
- Population: 21,144
- Median household income: $55,682
- Median home value: $146,200 (68% own)
- Median rent: $865 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Hooker High School (grade B+), Goodwell Elementary School (grade B), North Park Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Pioneer Adventist Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Guymon (grade B), Goodwell (grade A), Texhoma (grade A minus)

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#27. Muskogee County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 663
- Population: 66,606
- Median household income: $50,289
- Median home value: $128,900 (67% own)
- Median rent: $793 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Fort Gibson Intermediate Elementary School (grade A), Fort Gibson Middle School (grade A), Warner High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Joseph Catholic School (grade unavailable), Boulevard Christian School (grade unavailable), Muskogee Seventh-Day Adventist Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Fort Gibson (grade A), Muskogee (grade B), Warner (grade A minus)

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#26. Grady County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 661
- Population: 55,314
- Median household income: $74,349
- Median home value: $177,100 (75% own)
- Median rent: $841 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Pioneer Public School (grade A+), Middleberg Public School (grade A), Tuttle Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: James Caraway Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Epworth Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Tuttle (grade B+), Chickasha (grade B), Ninnekah (grade B minus)

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#25. Noble County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 653
- Population: 10,981
- Median household income: $66,813
- Median home value: $140,900 (80% own)
- Median rent: $710 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Morrison High School (grade A minus), Perry Elementary School (grade B+), Frontier High School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Perry (grade B+), Morrison (grade B+), Billings (grade B minus)

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Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock

#24. Kingfisher County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 598
- Population: 15,290
- Median household income: $65,167
- Median home value: $189,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $905 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Kingfisher Middle School (grade A), Heritage Elementary School (grade A), Cashion Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Holy Trinity Catholic School (grade unavailable), Sts. Peter & Paul School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Kingfisher (grade B), Cashion (grade B+), Hennessey (grade B)

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SevenMaps // Shutterstock

#23. Tillman County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 587
- Population: 7,013
- Median household income: $46,306
- Median home value: $62,900 (73% own)
- Median rent: $682 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Davidson Elementary School (grade A), Frederick Middle School (grade A minus), Frederick Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Frederick (grade B), Davidson (grade B+), Tipton (grade B)

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#22. Caddo County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 571
- Population: 26,910
- Median household income: $52,443
- Median home value: $99,900 (72% own)
- Median rent: $686 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Lookeba-Sickles Elementary School (grade A minus), Fort Cobb-Broxton High School (grade A minus), Fort Cobb-Broxton Lower Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Anadarko (grade B minus), Fort Cobb (grade A minus), Hydro (grade B+)

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Moab Republic // Shutterstock

#21. Bryan County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 560
- Population: 46,528
- Median household income: $54,289
- Median home value: $151,500 (64% own)
- Median rent: $877 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Durant Middle School (grade A), Northwest Heights Elementary School (grade A), Caddo High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Victory Life Academy (grade B)
- Top places: Calera (grade B+), Durant (grade B+), Silo (grade A minus)

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#20. Wagoner County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 553
- Population: 82,269
- Median household income: $75,082
- Median home value: $201,600 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,000 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Rosewood Elementary School (grade A minus), Timber Ridge Elementary School (grade A minus), Highland Park Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Destiny Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Joyland Child Development Center, Inc. (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Coweta (grade B+), Wagoner (grade B minus), Okay (grade B minus)

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#19. McClain County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 547
- Population: 42,393
- Median household income: $80,150
- Median home value: $214,400 (79% own)
- Median rent: $920 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Washington Elementary School (grade A minus), Washington Middle School (grade A minus), Blanchard Intermediate School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Shiloh Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Goldsby (grade A), Blanchard (grade A minus), Newcastle (grade A minus)

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#18. Garfield County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 489
- Population: 62,456
- Median household income: $64,165
- Median home value: $142,000 (66% own)
- Median rent: $868 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Chisholm Elementary School (grade A), Chisholm Middle School (grade A), Garber High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Oklahoma Bible Academy (grade B+), Emmanuel Christian School (grade unavailable), St. Joseph Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Enid (grade B+), North Enid (grade B), Garber (grade B+)

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#17. Murray County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 460
- Population: 13,837
- Median household income: $60,213
- Median home value: $148,200 (73% own)
- Median rent: $824 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Sulphur Middle School (grade A minus), Sulphur Intermediate School (grade B+), Davis Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Sulphur (grade A minus), Davis (grade B+), Dougherty (grade B)

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#16. Rogers County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 408
- Population: 95,870
- Median household income: $75,312
- Median home value: $206,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $980 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Pamela Hodson Elementary School (grade A), Justus-Tiawah Public School (grade A), Stone Canyon Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Claremore Christian School (grade B), Legacy Christian School (grade unavailable), Claremore Children's Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Verdigris (grade A minus), Claremore (grade A minus), Justice (grade A minus)

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Kit Leong // Shutterstock

#15. Woods County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 363
- Population: 8,661
- Median household income: $50,724
- Median home value: $146,700 (69% own)
- Median rent: $793 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Longfellow Elementary School (grade A minus), Freedom Elementary School (grade B+), Lincoln Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Alva (grade A minus), Waynoka (grade B+), Freedom (grade B)

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RaksyBH // Shutterstock

#14. Comanche County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 354
- Population: 121,777
- Median household income: $57,150
- Median home value: $145,800 (55% own)
- Median rent: $903 (45% rent)
- Top public schools: Flower Mound Public School (grade A+), Bishop Public School (grade A), Elgin Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Lawton Academy of Arts & Sciences (grade A+), Trinity Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Tincher Child Development Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Cache (grade B+), Lawton (grade B), Medicine Park (grade A minus)

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#13. Logan County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 340
- Population: 49,919
- Median household income: $80,565
- Median home value: $221,300 (87% own)
- Median rent: $869 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: Mulhall-Orlando Elementary School (grade A minus), Fogarty Elementary School (grade B+), Crescent High School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Guthrie (grade B), Cedar Valley (grade B+), Langston (grade B)

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#12. Alfalfa County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 321
- Population: 5,683
- Median household income: $75,028
- Median home value: $96,300 (80% own)
- Median rent: $654 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Cherokee Elementary School (grade A), Cherokee Middle School (grade A), Burlington Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Jet (grade A), Burlington (grade A minus), Cherokee (grade B+)

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#11. Cherokee County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 295
- Population: 47,412
- Median household income: $52,410
- Median home value: $144,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $773 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Keys Elementary School (grade A), Woodall Public School (grade A minus), Tahlequah Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Shiloh Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Tahlequah (grade A minus), Park Hill (grade A minus), Woodall (grade A minus)

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#10. Beaver County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 275
- Population: 5,071
- Median household income: $62,981
- Median home value: $106,500 (78% own)
- Median rent: $838 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Balko Elementary School (grade A), Beaver High School (grade A), Turpin High School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Beaver (grade B+), Turpin (grade B), Forgan (grade B minus)

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#9. Jackson County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 264
- Population: 24,776
- Median household income: $60,954
- Median home value: $115,200 (61% own)
- Median rent: $842 (39% rent)
- Top public schools: Altus Early Childhood Center (grade A), L. Mendel Rivers Elementary School (grade A), Altus Primary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Altus Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Altus (grade A minus), Eldorado (grade B+), East Duke (grade B)

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#8. Washington County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 263
- Population: 52,579
- Median household income: $59,426
- Median home value: $151,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $879 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Wayside Elementary School (grade A minus), Central Middle School (grade A minus), Woodrow Wilson Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Wesleyan Christian School (grade A minus), St. John Catholic School (grade unavailable), PATHS TO INDEPENDENCE (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Bartlesville (grade A), Dewey (grade B minus), Vera (grade B minus)

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#7. Custer County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 230
- Population: 28,391
- Median household income: $58,669
- Median home value: $168,700 (65% own)
- Median rent: $732 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Thomas Elementary School (grade A), Arapaho-Butler Elementary School (grade A minus), Weatherford East Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Corn Bible Academy (grade A), Western Oklahoma Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Weatherford (grade B+), Clinton (grade B+), Butler (grade B+)

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#6. Canadian County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 221
- Population: 156,681
- Median household income: $82,364
- Median home value: $212,700 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,129 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Maple Public School (grade A+), Canyon Ridge Intermediate School (grade A), Piedmont Intermediate Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Southwest Covenant Schools (grade A minus), St. John Nepomuk Catholic School (grade unavailable), King's Gate Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Yukon (grade A minus), Mustang (grade B+), El Reno (grade B)

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#5. Payne County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 180
- Population: 82,058
- Median household income: $46,658
- Median home value: $196,100 (51% own)
- Median rent: $899 (49% rent)
- Top public schools: Stillwater High School (grade A), Richmond Elementary School (grade A), Westwood Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Covenant Community Christian School (grade unavailable), Sunnybrook Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Stillwater (grade A), Cushing (grade A minus), Mulhall (grade B)

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#4. Pontotoc County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 145
- Population: 38,116
- Median household income: $59,457
- Median home value: $151,500 (66% own)
- Median rent: $847 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Homer Elementary School (grade A), Latta Elementary School (grade A), Ada High School (grade A)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Ada (grade A minus), Byng (grade A), Francis (grade B+)

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#3. Cleveland County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 134
- Population: 295,060
- Median household income: $71,757
- Median home value: $203,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,073 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Robin Hill Public School (grade A), Fisher Elementary School (grade A), Brink Junior High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Community Christian School (grade B), All Saints Catholic School (grade unavailable), Terra Verde Discovery School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Norman (grade A), Moore (grade A minus), Noble (grade B)

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#2. Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 105
- Population: 795,822
- Median household income: $62,505
- Median home value: $190,500 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,008 (41% rent)
- Top public schools: Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (grade A+), Harding Charter Preparatory High School (grade A+), Oakdale Public School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Casady School (grade A+), Heritage Hall (grade A+), Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (grade A+)
- Top places: Edmond (grade A+), Oklahoma City (grade A minus), Nichols Hills (grade A minus)

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#1. Tulsa County, Oklahoma

- Overall Rank: 98
- Population: 668,923
- Median household income: $65,229
- Median home value: $196,300 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,002 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Booker T. Washington High School (grade A+), Deborah Brown Community School (grade A+), Jenks High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Holland Hall (grade A+), Cascia Hall Preparatory School (grade A+), Peace Academy (grade A+)
- Top places: Jenks (grade A+), Bixby (grade A), Broken Arrow (grade A)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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