countyscore
54.4
County Score
Property Tax 93.4Cost of Living 91.8Disaster Risk 52.7

County Report Card

About Cimarron County, Oklahoma

Exceeding National Expectations

Cimarron County outpaces the country with a composite score of 54.4, well above the national median of 50.0. It is a rare rural outlier that manages high affordability without sacrificing safety.

A Top Performer in Oklahoma

With a score of 54.4, Cimarron County easily beats the state average of 43.0. It ranks among the most livable counties in Oklahoma, largely due to its fiscal and safety advantages.

Exceptional Financial and Safety Metrics

The county shines with a tax score of 93.4 and a housing cost score of 91.8, driven by $94,500 median home values. It also maintains a strong risk management profile with a risk score of 52.7.

Lagging Schools and Moderate Income

Educational scores are a weak spot at 17.3, indicating a need for school investment. The income score is also moderate at 30.9, reflecting a median household income of $57,204.

Perfect for Quiet, Low-Cost Living

Cimarron County is a prime choice for those seeking a safe, ultra-affordable lifestyle in the Panhandle. It best suits households who prioritize low taxes and home prices over school rankings.

Score breakdown

Tax93.4Cost91.8Safety33.8Health44.5Schools17.3Income30.9Risk52.7Water32.4Weather47.4
🏛93.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡33.8
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤44.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓17.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡52.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧32.4
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤47.4
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨29.2
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱50.1
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Dallam County
Texas
35
Baca County
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63.7
Morton County
Kansas
42
Sherman County
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52.1
Union County
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60.8
Texas County
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Hartley County
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Stanton County
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65.9

Deep Dives

Cimarron County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cimarron County

via TaxByCounty

Cimarron County has among lowest U.S. taxes

Cimarron County's effective tax rate of 0.408% ranks in the bottom tier of all U.S. counties, well below the national median of 0.652%. At $386 per year on a median home of $94,500, taxes are just 14% of the national median bill.

Near-bottom property tax rate statewide

Cimarron County's 0.408% effective rate is nearly tied with Choctaw County (0.419%) for Oklahoma's lowest, dramatically underperforming the state average of 0.652%. Homeowners enjoy exceptionally light tax burdens by state and national standards.

Tied for regional tax advantage

Cimarron County's 0.408% rate nearly mirrors Choctaw County (0.419%) and beats Coal County (0.584%) and Cherokee County (0.565%). In the Oklahoma panhandle and surrounding region, Cimarron offers one of the best tax climates.

Extremely low $386 annual bill

Cimarron County homeowners pay approximately $386 annually on a median home value of $94,500. With a mortgage, escrow adjustments push this to $811; without, it drops to just $296.

Even modest properties deserve review

Cimarron County's remarkably low tax rates mean every dollar counts, making an assessment check worthwhile regardless of home value. If your property was overassessed relative to comparables, filing an appeal costs nothing and directly protects your budget.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cimarron County

via CostByCounty

Cimarron County delivers the strongest affordability

At 14.3%, Cimarron County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio among these eight counties and well below the national comfort zone, meaning renters here enjoy exceptional housing value. The median household income of $57,204 is lean, yet modest rents of $682 keep affordability pristine.

Oklahoma's affordability champion in this group

Cimarron County's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio significantly outperforms Oklahoma's 17.0% state average, placing it among the most affordable counties statewide. At $682 monthly, median rent runs far below the state median of $814.

Lowest rents match lowest affordability stress

Cimarron County's $682 rent is tied with Choctaw County for the region's lowest, yet its rent-to-income ratio is the best of all eight counties studied. This combination makes it the clear winner for renters seeking maximum affordability.

Renters enjoy exceptional value here

At $682 monthly rent on a $57,204 income, renters spend just 14.3% of earnings on housing—the best deal in this county set. Homeowners pay even less at $497 monthly on median-valued homes of $94,500, though both figures suggest a rural, lower-cost market.

Cimarron County for maximum housing savings

If housing affordability dominates your relocation decision, Cimarron County is the clear choice—lowest rents and lowest affordability stress in this entire cohort. Pair this housing advantage with serious assessment of local employment before committing, as the lower income base suggests limited high-wage opportunities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cimarron County

via IncomeByCounty

Cimarron County moderately below national income

Cimarron County's median household income of $57,204 falls $17,551 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the lower third nationally. The 23% gap reflects rural panhandle economic conditions.

Near state average for Oklahoma

Cimarron County's median household income of $57,204 runs just $1,069 below Oklahoma's state average of $58,273, positioning it close to the middle of state counties. Per capita income of $35,550 significantly exceeds the state average of $30,609 by 16%.

Mid-tier among regional competitors

Cimarron County's $57,204 income ranks below Cherokee ($53,668)—wait, that's incorrect; it's actually $3,536 above Cherokee County. The county performs at moderate levels relative to its southeastern Oklahoma neighbors.

Best housing affordability in the region

Cimarron County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio among its peers at just 14.3%, well below the 30% affordability threshold and below its state average. With median home value of only $94,500, housing costs consume minimal household budgets here.

Low housing costs enable better savings

Cimarron County's exceptionally affordable housing frees up household income for savings and investments compared to higher-cost regions. This advantage allows residents to build wealth despite moderate earnings—prioritize automatic contributions to retirement accounts.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Cimarron County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional safety levels in Cimarron County

Cimarron County is one of the safest areas in the region, boasting a safety score of 97.6. The total crime rate of 1,540.5 per 100,000 is 35% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Beating Oklahoma state crime averages

The county's total crime rate of 1,540.5 is far below the Oklahoma state average of 2,647.7. Only two reporting agencies are needed to cover this vast but sparsely populated and secure county.

Lower crime than most Oklahoma peers

Cimarron County is significantly safer than Carter County, where the crime rate is 2,719.8. This low volume of crime reflects the quiet, rural nature of the Oklahoma Panhandle.

Property and violent crime stay low

Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,320.4, which is much lower than the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also kept in check at 220.1 per 100,000, well below the national rate of 369.8.

Smart security for Panhandle residents

In a county with such low crime, maintaining visibility and good relations with neighbors is highly effective. Simple security measures like perimeter fencing and motion lighting help keep the area's safety score high.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Cimarron County

via HealthByCounty

Cimarron County achieves strong health outcomes

Life expectancy of 76.6 years exceeds Oklahoma's average by 3.9 years and comes within 1 year of the U.S. average, positioning Cimarron among the healthiest Oklahoma counties. At 18.7%, the poor/fair health rate is below national average, indicating strong overall health status.

Top performer on Oklahoma's health scale

Cimarron County ranks among Oklahoma's strongest counties for life expectancy and general health perception. The 76.6-year life expectancy places it solidly above state average, reflecting effective disease prevention and healthcare management.

Outperforming most comparable counties

Cimarron County's 76.6-year life expectancy trails only Canadian (77.7) and Cleveland (77.6) among peer counties, and significantly exceeds struggling counties like Choctaw (68.3) and Coal (70.0). The 14.8% uninsured rate sits below state average, supporting broader access to care.

Limited primary care data, strong insurance coverage

Primary care provider data for Cimarron County is unavailable, limiting our ability to assess primary care access; however, the county's strong life expectancy and low 14.8% uninsured rate suggest residents are managing basic healthcare needs effectively. Mental health provider capacity at 46 per 100K is modest but appears adequate given population health indicators.

Maintain your county's health momentum

Cimarron County's low 14.8% uninsured rate reflects strong enrollment. For the uninsured residents who remain, visiting healthcare.gov can help close the gap and ensure everyone benefits from the county's solid healthcare foundation.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Cimarron County

via SchoolsByCounty

Minimalist Education in Oklahoma's Panhandle

Cimarron County has one of the smallest school systems in the state, with just 4 public schools across 2 districts. These schools serve a total of 380 students. The landscape is split evenly between two elementary and two high schools.

Challenges in Academic Performance and Funding

The county faces significant hurdles, with a graduation rate of 70.5% that falls well below the 84.3% state average. Despite spending $6,816 per pupil—more than the state average—the school score remains low at 42.9. These figures suggest that high per-student costs haven't yet translated into high graduation numbers.

Boise City and Felt Lead Education

The Boise City district is the primary provider, serving 290 students in 2 schools. Felt is a much smaller district, educating only 90 students. There are no charter schools or middle schools in this rural county.

Purely Rural, Ultra-Small Learning Environments

Every school in the county is classified as rural, creating a very specific and localized educational experience. The average school size is only 95 students, with Boise City Elementary being the largest at 210 students. Felt High School is notably tiny, serving only 23 students in total.

Authentic Rural Living and Personalized Schools

Cimarron County offers a unique lifestyle for those seeking true rural isolation and very small class sizes. While graduation rates are currently lower than average, the high per-pupil spending shows a commitment to every child. Boise City serves as the primary hub for those looking to settle in this frontier region.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cimarron County

via RiskByCounty

Cimarron County ranks among safest nationally

Cimarron County's composite risk score of 47.33 places it in the relatively low category and below the U.S. average for natural disaster exposure. The county's risk profile reflects significantly lower hazard exposure compared to most American counties.

Oklahoma's lowest-risk county area

Cimarron County ranks among the safest counties in Oklahoma with a score of 47.33, well below the state average of 55.47. This represents one of the state's most protected regions from natural hazards.

Safest county in its region

Cimarron County's score of 47.33 is substantially lower than every neighboring county, including Canadian (83.49) and Cherokee (76.91). The Panhandle location creates a distinctly safer hazard environment than the rest of Oklahoma.

Wildfires dominate limited threats

Wildfire risk reaches 72.46 in Cimarron County, making it the primary natural hazard concern by far. Flood risk drops to just 2.93, and tornado risk to 18.13, reflecting the county's exceptional protection from most weather-related disasters.

Standard coverage provides adequate protection

A standard homeowner's policy with wildfire coverage provides solid protection for Cimarron County residents given the low overall risk profile. Review your policy's wildfire exclusions and maintain defensible space if you're in a fire-prone area.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Cimarron County

via WeatherByCounty

High plains and cool extremes

Cimarron County averages 56.2°F annually, which is much closer to the national median than the rest of Oklahoma. Located in the far tip of the Panhandle, its climate is semi-arid and continental.

Oklahoma's coolest and driest corner

At 56.2°F, this is the coldest county in Oklahoma, sitting 4.2 degrees below the state average. It is also the driest, receiving only 17.0 inches of rain compared to the 37.2-inch state average.

Isolated in the high desert

Cimarron stands alone in Oklahoma for its low humidity and high elevation. It experiences much more drastic temperature swings than central or eastern Oklahoma counties.

Snowy winters and sharp heat

The county averages a staggering 26.6 inches of snow, the highest in the state. Despite cool 36.8°F winters, summers still bring 72 days above 90°F due to the intense high-altitude sun.

Prepare for snow and swings

Residents must own reliable snow removal equipment to handle the 2-foot annual snowfall. Xeriscaping is recommended for landscaping due to the extremely low 17 inches of annual precipitation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Cimarron County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline soils in the high plains

Cimarron County stands out with an average pH of 6.84, which is significantly more alkaline than the state average of 6.06. This pH is even higher than the national median of 6.5, reflecting the arid conditions of the Oklahoma Panhandle. The soil score of 29.2 is lower than the state average, pointing to the environmental challenges of the region.

Sandy soils with variable texture

The soil is dominated by 46.9% sand, with only 17.6% clay and 24.4% silt. This high sand content leads to a loose, well-aerated texture that is easy to work but susceptible to wind erosion. The 'variable' dominant texture classification reflects the diverse landscape of the High Plains.

Low organic matter and water capacity

Organic matter is just 1.05%, which is much lower than the national 2.0% average and the 1.72% state average. Available water capacity is also low at 0.125 in/in, meaning the soil does not hold onto moisture for long. Frequent irrigation or specialized dryland farming techniques are required to sustain crops here.

Slow infiltration in an arid climate

Despite the sandy texture, the soil is categorized in Hydrologic Group D, indicating slow infiltration during saturated conditions. In this arid climate, when rain does fall, it often comes in heavy bursts that the soil cannot immediately absorb. This leads to runoff and potential erosion of the valuable topsoil.

Hardy gardening in zone 6b

The 6b hardiness zone means shorter growing seasons and colder winters than the rest of the state. Gardeners should focus on drought-tolerant species and plants that can handle alkaline soils, such as lavender or certain native grasses. Windbreaks and mulching are essential strategies to protect your garden in this rugged environment.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Cimarron County

via LawnByCounty

Panhandle Resilience in Cimarron County

Cimarron County defies the state trend with a lawn difficulty score of 50.1, matching the national median perfectly. Located in the cooler Hardiness Zone 6b, it experiences a different set of challenges than the rest of Oklahoma. While it is easier than many neighbors, the arid climate requires a specific approach to high-plains landscaping.

Low Precipitation Defines the Arid Panhandle

Cimarron County is significantly drier than the rest of the state, receiving only 17.0 inches of rain annually compared to the 37.2-inch average. With 72 days of extreme heat and 3,983 growing degree days, the environment is harsh but manageable. The shorter growing season is framed by a late spring frost on April 26 and an early fall frost on October 20.

Alkaline-Leaning Soil with High Sand Content

The soil pH is 6.84, which is very close to the neutral 7.0 mark and ideal for many grasses. The high sand content of 46.9% ensures excellent drainage, though it means nutrients and water can leach away quickly. Lawns here benefit from top-dressing with compost to help the 17.6% clay hold onto much-needed moisture.

Managing Dryness Without Severe Drought

Though 100% of the county is abnormally dry, it currently reports 0.0% severe drought, a rarity in Oklahoma. Cimarron has seen only 14 weeks of drought in the last year, the lowest of the surveyed counties. Because rainfall is naturally low, choosing drought-native grasses is the most sustainable way to keep a yard green.

High-Plains Natives are the Best Bet

In Zone 6b, Buffalo grass and Blue Grama are the champions of the landscape because they require very little supplemental water. Wait until the threat of frost passes in late April to begin your planting projects. These hardy varieties will thrive in the sandy soil and stand up to the Panhandle's 72 heat days.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cimarron County's county score?
Cimarron County, Oklahoma has a composite county score of 54.4 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 Cimarron County rank among counties in Oklahoma?
Cimarron County ranks #10 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 Cimarron County, Oklahoma?
The median annual property tax in Cimarron County is $386, with an effective tax rate of 0.41%. This earns Cimarron County a tax score of 93.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cimarron County?
The median household income in Cimarron County, Oklahoma is $57,204 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cimarron County earns an income score of 30.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cimarron County, Oklahoma a good place to live?
Cimarron County scores 54.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #10 in Oklahoma. The best way to evaluate Cimarron 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 Cimarron County with other counties side by side.

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