Most rural counties in Oklahoma

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Oklahoma

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. Stacker compiled a list of the most rural counties in Oklahoma using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. McClain County

- Rural area: 99.0% (565 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 571 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #1,771 nationwide

- Population density: 70.0 people / square mile (39,921 residents)
--- #65 lowest density county in state, #1,977 nationwide

#49. Pittsburg County

- Rural area: 99.1% (1,293 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (12 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,305 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #459 nationwide

- Population density: 33.7 people / square mile (43,955 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #1,308 nationwide

#48. Beckham County

- Rural area: 99.1% (894 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 902 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #843 nationwide

- Population density: 24.2 people / square mile (21,860 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #1,045 nationwide

#47. Mayes County

- Rural area: 99.2% (650 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 655 square miles
--- #56 largest county in state, #1,437 nationwide

- Population density: 62.7 people / square mile (41,098 residents)
--- #61 lowest density county in state, #1,879 nationwide

#46. Seminole County

- Rural area: 99.2% (628 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 633 square miles
--- #59 largest county in state, #1,512 nationwide

- Population density: 38.9 people / square mile (24,624 residents)
--- #49 lowest density county in state, #1,451 nationwide

#45. Custer County

- Rural area: 99.3% (982 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 989 square miles
--- #22 largest county in state, #694 nationwide

- Population density: 29.3 people / square mile (28,929 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #1,191 nationwide

#44. Woodward County

- Rural area: 99.3% (1,234 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,242 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #489 nationwide

- Population density: 16.4 people / square mile (20,352 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #780 nationwide

#43. Garvin County

- Rural area: 99.4% (797 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 802 square miles
--- #40 largest county in state, #1,057 nationwide

- Population density: 34.6 people / square mile (27,789 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #1,333 nationwide

#42. Marshall County

- Rural area: 99.4% (369 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 371 square miles
--- #77 largest county in state, #2,629 nationwide

- Population density: 45.0 people / square mile (16,688 residents)
--- #50 lowest density county in state, #1,578 nationwide

#41. Le Flore County

- Rural area: 99.4% (1,579 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,589 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #382 nationwide

- Population density: 31.5 people / square mile (49,999 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #1,257 nationwide

#40. Osage County

- Rural area: 99.4% (2,234 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (13 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,246 square miles
--- #1 largest county in state, #248 nationwide

- Population density: 21.0 people / square mile (47,074 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #926 nationwide

#39. Nowata County

- Rural area: 99.5% (563 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 566 square miles
--- #68 largest county in state, #1,813 nationwide

- Population density: 18.1 people / square mile (10,243 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #829 nationwide

#38. Craig County

- Rural area: 99.5% (758 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 761 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #1,149 nationwide

- Population density: 18.7 people / square mile (14,274 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #849 nationwide

#37. McCurtain County

- Rural area: 99.6% (1,842 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,850 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #315 nationwide

- Population density: 17.8 people / square mile (32,913 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #821 nationwide

#36. Choctaw County

- Rural area: 99.6% (767 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 770 square miles
--- #42 largest county in state, #1,127 nationwide

- Population density: 19.1 people / square mile (14,727 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #858 nationwide

#35. Adair County

- Rural area: 99.6% (571 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 573 square miles
--- #64 largest county in state, #1,745 nationwide

- Population density: 38.7 people / square mile (22,171 residents)
--- #48 lowest density county in state, #1,442 nationwide

#34. Hughes County

- Rural area: 99.6% (801 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 805 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #1,053 nationwide

- Population density: 16.5 people / square mile (13,265 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #784 nationwide

#33. Haskell County

- Rural area: 99.6% (574 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 577 square miles
--- #63 largest county in state, #1,717 nationwide

- Population density: 22.0 people / square mile (12,688 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #964 nationwide

#32. Noble County

- Rural area: 99.6% (729 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 732 square miles
--- #48 largest county in state, #1,210 nationwide

- Population density: 15.4 people / square mile (11,263 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #748 nationwide

#31. Latimer County

- Rural area: 99.7% (720 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 722 square miles
--- #49 largest county in state, #1,237 nationwide

- Population density: 14.2 people / square mile (10,239 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #717 nationwide

#30. Pawnee County

- Rural area: 99.7% (566 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 568 square miles
--- #67 largest county in state, #1,800 nationwide

- Population density: 28.9 people / square mile (16,402 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #1,182 nationwide

#29. Lincoln County

- Rural area: 99.7% (950 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 952 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #736 nationwide

- Population density: 36.7 people / square mile (34,936 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #1,389 nationwide

#28. Tillman County

- Rural area: 99.7% (869 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 871 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #934 nationwide

- Population density: 8.4 people / square mile (7,347 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #515 nationwide

#27. Okfuskee County

- Rural area: 99.8% (617 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 619 square miles
--- #61 largest county in state, #1,559 nationwide

- Population density: 19.4 people / square mile (11,987 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #866 nationwide

#26. Kingfisher County

- Rural area: 99.8% (896 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 898 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #866 nationwide

- Population density: 17.6 people / square mile (15,811 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #814 nationwide

#25. Texas County

- Rural area: 99.8% (2,036 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,041 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #278 nationwide

- Population density: 10.1 people / square mile (20,633 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #584 nationwide

#24. Blaine County

- Rural area: 99.8% (926 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 928 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #777 nationwide

- Population density: 10.3 people / square mile (9,521 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #589 nationwide

#23. Greer County

- Rural area: 99.8% (638 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 639 square miles
--- #58 largest county in state, #1,488 nationwide

- Population density: 9.1 people / square mile (5,790 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #538 nationwide

#22. McIntosh County

- Rural area: 99.8% (617 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 618 square miles
--- #62 largest county in state, #1,560 nationwide

- Population density: 31.8 people / square mile (19,677 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #1,267 nationwide

#21. Cotton County

- Rural area: 99.8% (631 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 633 square miles
--- #60 largest county in state, #1,513 nationwide

- Population density: 9.1 people / square mile (5,783 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #542 nationwide

#20. Woods County

- Rural area: 99.8% (1,284 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,286 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #467 nationwide

- Population density: 6.9 people / square mile (8,914 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #452 nationwide

#19. Caddo County

- Rural area: 99.8% (1,276 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,278 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #472 nationwide

- Population density: 22.8 people / square mile (29,179 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #994 nationwide

#18. Washita County

- Rural area: 99.8% (1,001 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,003 square miles
--- #19 largest county in state, #676 nationwide

- Population density: 11.0 people / square mile (11,066 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #606 nationwide

#17. Kiowa County

- Rural area: 99.8% (1,013 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,015 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #658 nationwide

- Population density: 8.7 people / square mile (8,816 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #524 nationwide

#16. Love County

- Rural area: 100.0% (514 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 514 square miles
--- #73 largest county in state, #2,025 nationwide

- Population density: 19.7 people / square mile (10,128 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #884 nationwide

#15. Johnston County

- Rural area: 100.0% (643 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 643 square miles
--- #57 largest county in state, #1,482 nationwide

- Population density: 17.2 people / square mile (11,028 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #804 nationwide

#14. Atoka County

- Rural area: 100.0% (976 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 976 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #710 nationwide

- Population density: 14.2 people / square mile (13,815 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #715 nationwide

#13. Coal County

- Rural area: 100.0% (517 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 517 square miles
--- #72 largest county in state, #2,016 nationwide

- Population density: 10.8 people / square mile (5,577 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #601 nationwide

#12. Jefferson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (759 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 759 square miles
--- #44 largest county in state, #1,154 nationwide

- Population density: 8.0 people / square mile (6,084 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #497 nationwide

#11. Major County

- Rural area: 100.0% (955 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 955 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #734 nationwide

- Population density: 8.0 people / square mile (7,654 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #496 nationwide

#10. Pushmataha County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,396 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,396 square miles
--- #7 largest county in state, #433 nationwide

- Population density: 7.9 people / square mile (11,055 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #487 nationwide

#9. Alfalfa County

- Rural area: 100.0% (866 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 866 square miles
--- #35 largest county in state, #950 nationwide

- Population density: 6.7 people / square mile (5,791 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #439 nationwide

#8. Harmon County

- Rural area: 100.0% (537 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 537 square miles
--- #71 largest county in state, #1,944 nationwide

- Population density: 5.0 people / square mile (2,663 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #366 nationwide

#7. Dewey County

- Rural area: 100.0% (999 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 999 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #680 nationwide

- Population density: 4.9 people / square mile (4,885 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #363 nationwide

#6. Grant County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,001 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,001 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #678 nationwide

- Population density: 4.4 people / square mile (4,369 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #342 nationwide

#5. Harper County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,039 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,039 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #635 nationwide

- Population density: 3.6 people / square mile (3,730 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #279 nationwide

#4. Ellis County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,232 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,232 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #496 nationwide

- Population density: 3.2 people / square mile (3,936 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #253 nationwide

#3. Roger Mills County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,141 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,141 square miles
--- #13 largest county in state, #544 nationwide

- Population density: 3.2 people / square mile (3,635 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #252 nationwide

#2. Beaver County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,815 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,815 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #324 nationwide

- Population density: 2.9 people / square mile (5,326 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #230 nationwide

#1. Cimarron County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,835 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,835 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #320 nationwide

- Population density: 1.2 people / square mile (2,159 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #86 nationwide

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