53.2
County Score
Cost of Living 72.2Safety 63.4Disaster Risk 62.2

County Report Card

About Beaver County, Oklahoma

Beaver County Beats the National Median

Beaver County earns a composite score of 53.2, placing it above the national median of 50.0. This score ranks the county in the 56th percentile of all U.S. counties.

A Premier Oklahoma Location

Beaver County performs exceptionally well relative to its state, beating the Oklahoma average of 43.0 by over 10 points. It stands out as a stable and safe enclave in the Panhandle.

High Safety and Economic Stability

The county excels in safety with a score of 63.4 and risk resilience at 62.2. A median household income of $64,266 provides a strong foundation for a comfortable lifestyle.

Limited Infrastructure and Schools

Water quality scores are low at 21.9, and the school score of 32.6 suggests room for educational investment. Health scores also trail at 36.5, which is lower than the national median.

Ideal for Safety-Conscious Families

Beaver County is a great choice for families who prioritize safety and financial predictability. The combination of decent wages and low crime makes it a solid middle-class destination.

2040608010056.672.263.436.532.651.362.221.948.9Tax56.6Cost72.2Safety63.4Health36.5Schools32.6Income51.3Risk62.2Water21.9Weather48.953.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Beaver County DNA

Foverall

How Beaver County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Beaver County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (72.2/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (21.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
56.6
Cost
72.2+24.200000000000003
Safety
63.4+8.399999999999999
Health
36.5-13.5
Schools
32.6-21.4
Income
51.3
Risk
62.2+15.200000000000003
Water
21.9-36.1
Weather
48.9
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$117,900

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$782/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$117,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $64,266/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.8

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Beaver County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Beaver County

via TaxByCounty

Beaver County's rate nears national median

Beaver County's effective tax rate of 0.761% sits above the national median of 0.87% percentile but remains accessible for most homeowners. The median home value of $117,900 is less than half the national median, keeping overall tax bills moderate.

Beaver ranks above average in Oklahoma

At 0.761%, Beaver County exceeds Oklahoma's 0.652% state average by about 17%, landing it in the upper third of all state counties. This makes Beaver one of Oklahoma's higher-tax counties, though still far below national median.

Beaver is the region's highest rate

Among Oklahoma's panhandle and northern counties, Beaver's 0.761% rate tops all nearby peers, including Alfalfa (0.630%) and Blaine (0.556%). Beaver residents shoulder the region's steepest property tax burden.

Annual bill on $117,900 home

The median Beaver County home generates $897 in yearly property taxes—approximately $2.46 per day. Including mortgage-related assessments, total annual costs reach $1,027, making Beaver modestly more expensive than neighboring counties.

Review assessments to lower bills

With Beaver's higher tax rate, accurate assessments are especially important for controlling costs. Request your county assessor review your property's valuation against recent comparable sales; an overassessment can cost hundreds annually.

Cost of Living in Beaver County

via CostByCounty

Beaver balances higher income with higher costs

Beaver County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio beats the state average thanks to a robust $64,266 median income, even as $782 monthly rent is above Oklahoma's median. The county delivers better affordability than raw numbers suggest because residents earn considerably more.

Above-average earnings, better affordability

Beaver County's 14.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Oklahoma's best, despite higher-than-average rents, because of its stronger median household income. The county outperforms the state average of 17.0% across the board.

Priciest rents, but highest incomes too

Beaver's $782 monthly rent is the highest in this regional group, yet its $64,266 income is also the strongest, making affordability competitive. Owner costs of $650 remain reasonable for a county with $117,900 median home values.

Beaver's income cushions housing burden

Monthly rent of $782 and owner costs of $650 represent roughly 27% of Beaver's $64,266 annual income. The county's higher earnings relative to its peers allow residents to comfortably absorb elevated housing costs.

Beaver attracts higher-earning relocators

Professionals and entrepreneurs with above-average salaries will appreciate Beaver's strong local income levels and reasonable housing ratios. If your income matches or exceeds the county's $64,266 median, Beaver offers genuine affordability despite higher nominal rents.

Income & Jobs in Beaver County

via IncomeByCounty

Beaver's income nears national average

Beaver County's median household income of $64,266 is 14% below the national median of $74,755, making it one of the closer matches to U.S. average income in rural Oklahoma. The panhandle county's energy and ranching sectors support this relative strength.

Above-average for Oklahoma

At $64,266, Beaver's median household income exceeds Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by 10%, ranking the county in the upper-middle tier of Oklahoma's 77 counties. Beaver's panhandle economy supports stronger earnings than state average.

Beaver rivals Alfalfa and Blaine

Beaver's $64,266 income is comparable to Alfalfa County ($67,870) and Blaine County ($59,304), reflecting similar panhandle and northern Oklahoma economic conditions. All three counties outperform southern and eastern county peers.

Strong housing affordability

Beaver's rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% is among the best in the eight-county group and well below the 30% threshold. Combined with median income of $64,266, Beaver offers solid housing affordability for renters.

Build wealth in panhandle prosperity

Beaver County's above-average income and low housing costs create an ideal environment for wealth building. Establish a diversified investment strategy and take full advantage of employer retirement matching to accelerate long-term gains.

Safety in Beaver County

via CrimeByCounty

One of the nation's safest counties

Beaver County features an elite safety score of 98.7, indicating a high level of security for its residents. Its total crime rate of 847.9 per 100,000 is less than half the national average.

Setting the standard for Oklahoma safety

While the state average crime rate is 2,647.7, Beaver County reports a mere 847.9 incidents per 100,000. This places it significantly ahead of the state average safety score of 95.8.

Panhandle peace and quiet

Beaver County is even safer than its neighbor Alfalfa County, which reports a crime rate of 1,355.0. Only two reporting agencies manage this remarkably low-crime jurisdiction.

Violent crime is nearly non-existent

The violent crime rate is just 39.4 per 100,000, roughly 10% of the national average. Property crime is also exceptionally low at 808.5, keeping the overall community very secure.

Keeping a safe community secure

Low crime rates are a community asset that residents can help protect through vigilance. Basic security measures like outdoor lighting and locked doors ensure the county remains a safe haven.

Schools in Beaver County

via SchoolsByCounty

Panhandle Education in Beaver County

Beaver County supports 907 students across eight public schools and four districts. The system is evenly split between four elementary schools and four high schools, serving a sparse but dedicated population.

Investment and Academic Challenges

The county spends $8,030 per pupil, which is over $1,500 more than the Oklahoma state average. Despite this high investment, the graduation rate currently stands at 69.8%, and the school score is 45.1, indicating areas for potential growth.

Beaver and Turpin Lead Enrollment

The Beaver and Balko districts are central to the county’s education, with Turpin Elementary being the largest individual school at 290 students. All education in the county is delivered via traditional public schools, as no charter schools exist here.

Small Schools in Rural Vistas

Education in Beaver County is entirely rural, with an average school size of only 113 students. This small scale allows for significant individual attention, ranging from the 290 students at Turpin Elementary down to just 69 at Beaver High.

Home Search in the Beaver District

For those looking for a true rural lifestyle with small class sizes, Beaver County provides a unique environment. Check out available properties near Turpin or Beaver to secure a spot in these local schools.

Disaster Risk in Beaver County

via RiskByCounty

Beaver ranks among lowest-risk U.S. counties

Beaver County scores 37.82 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Very Low" category and well below national averages. This favorable score reflects particularly low exposure to flooding, earthquakes, and hurricanes.

One of Oklahoma's safest counties

At 37.82 versus Oklahoma's 55.47 average, Beaver ranks significantly below state baseline, positioning it among the state's lowest-risk counties. This advantage holds across flood, earthquake, and hurricane categories.

Beaver rivals region's safest counties

Beaver's 37.82 score closely matches Alfalfa County (40.65) and slightly exceeds Atoka (30.41), placing it among the region's safest areas. The county's low exposure cuts across nearly all major hazard types.

Wildfire dominates Beaver's natural hazards

Wildfire risk at 85.69 is Beaver's clear concern, despite the county's overall low composite score. Tornado risk of 34.96 remains well below state average, indicating minimal storm threat.

Focus wildfire insurance and mitigation efforts

Beaver residents should prioritize homeowner's insurance with strong wildfire coverage given the county's elevated exposure to this single hazard. Invest in defensible space around structures by clearing brush and dead vegetation within 30 feet, and maintain a 100-foot perimeter of thinned trees.

Water Quality in Beaver County

via WaterByCounty

Compliance grade F despite few violations

Beaver County is rated F for drinking water, though it recorded only three health violations in five years. Its violation rate of 111.2 per 100,000 remains well below the state average of 960.4.

Local waters awaiting federal assessment

Water bodies in Beaver County have not yet been assessed under the federal Clean Water Act §303(d) standards. This lack of data means there is no official impairment rating for the 2022 reporting cycle.

Data collection focused on physical habitat

Monitoring teams have gathered 6,453 measurements from seven sites over the past five years. Most of these records focus on physical habitat and site characteristics rather than chemical pollutants.

Beaver River flows at 1% of mean

The Beaver River at Beaver is currently at 0 cfs, representing only 1% of its typical flow. This near-dry state highlights the extreme water scarcity currently facing this massive 7,986-square-mile drainage area.

Managing water during extreme scarcity

With the primary river effectively dry, source water availability is the most pressing concern for the county. Residents should practice strict water conservation and monitor well levels as groundwater recharge slows during this period.

Weather & Climate in Beaver County

via WeatherByCounty

Dry Panhandle Climate with Sharp Extremes

Beaver County averages 57.5°F annually, which is closer to the national median but still on the warmer side. It is a semi-arid region, receiving only 21.9 inches of precipitation per year.

One of Oklahoma's Coldest and Driest

The county's average temp of 57.5°F is nearly three degrees lower than the state average of 60.4°F. It also receives 15 inches less rain than the Oklahoma average, marking it as one of the driest counties in the state.

The Snow Capital of the Panhandle

Beaver County receives 14.2 inches of snowfall annually, far exceeding the averages of central and southern Oklahoma. This cold-winter trend is a defining characteristic of the high plains region.

Intense Heat Meets Snowy Winters

Despite the cold winters, the county endures 81 days of extreme heat above 90°F each year. Seasonal swings are dramatic, ranging from a January average of 34.8°F to a July average of 81.1°F.

Focus on Winter Gear and Irrigation

With 14.2 inches of snow and 81 heat days, dual-climate preparedness is essential for all residents. Due to the low 21.9-inch annual rainfall, water conservation and efficient irrigation are necessary for landscaping.

Soil Quality in Beaver County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Panhandle Soils

Beaver County breaks from state norms with a basic pH of 7.11, notably higher than the national median of 6.5. This alkaline profile contrasts sharply with the acidic Oklahoma state average of 6.06.

Sandy Texture Dominates Beaver

Dominated by 47.2% sand, the soil also contains 31.3% silt and 16.0% clay. This sandy texture ensures high workability but requires more frequent watering to keep plants hydrated in the heat.

Low Moisture and Organic Matter

At 1.29%, organic matter is lower than the state average of 1.72%. The available water capacity of 0.130 in/in is the lowest among these counties, reflecting the challenges of semi-arid conditions.

Rapid Infiltration in Group A

Classified in Hydrologic Group A, these soils allow water to infiltrate very quickly. This high permeability is excellent for preventing puddles but means nutrients can leach away faster than in heavier soils.

Drought-Resistant Grains in Zone 6b

Gardeners in Zone 6b can succeed with drought-resistant natives and hardy grains like sorghum. Focus on mulching to preserve the limited water capacity and build up organic matter over time.

Lawn Care in Beaver County

via LawnByCounty

Panhandle Persistence in Beaver County

Beaver County holds a lawn difficulty score of 44.2, sitting just below the state average of 46.1. As a Hardiness Zone 6b region, it faces cooler winters and a shorter growing window than its southern neighbors.

Dry Air and Intense Sun

Annual precipitation is low at just 21.9 inches, far below the Oklahoma average of 37.2 inches. With 81 extreme heat days, lawn care here is largely a battle against moisture loss and high evaporation rates.

Alkaline Sandy Foundations

The soil pH of 7.11 is slightly alkaline but remains close to the ideal range for many grasses. A high sand content of 47.2% ensures rapid drainage, though the 16.0% clay helps provide some necessary stability for turf roots.

Conservation in the High Plains

The county experienced 15 weeks of drought over the last year, requiring smart water management. To combat the dry climate, prioritize drought-resistant species and maintain a higher mowing height to shade the soil.

Establishing Your Beaver County Lawn

Bermudagrass or Buffalo grass are the strongest contenders for this semi-arid climate. Wait until after the late spring frost on April 17 to plant, ensuring your lawn is ready before the October 25 fall freeze.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Beaver County's county score?
Beaver County, Oklahoma has a composite county score of 53.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Beaver County rank among counties in Oklahoma?
Beaver County ranks #13 among all counties in Oklahoma on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Beaver County, Oklahoma?
The median annual property tax in Beaver County is $897, with an effective tax rate of 0.76%. This earns Beaver County a tax score of 56.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Beaver County?
The median household income in Beaver County, Oklahoma is $64,266 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Beaver County earns an income score of 51.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Beaver County, Oklahoma a good place to live?
Beaver County scores 53.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #13 in Oklahoma. The best way to evaluate Beaver County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Beaver County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.