Craig County

Oklahoma · OK

#39 in Oklahoma
67.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Craig County, Oklahoma

Craig County beats the national average

Craig County's composite score of 67.8 significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, landing it at approximately the 68th percentile nationally. This positions the county in the upper third of U.S. counties, offering solid livability across multiple dimensions.

Slightly below Oklahoma's middle

With a score of 67.8 versus Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, Craig County sits just below the state median. Though narrowly behind, it remains competitive within the state and represents a reasonable livability choice for Oklahoma residents.

Tax and housing affordability stand out

Craig County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.583%, paired with a strong cost score of 84.0 and median home value of $132,900. These twin advantages make homeownership accessible, while an income score of 16.2 reflects lower wage levels that align with the county's modest tax burden.

Income and risk warrant attention

Income (16.2) and risk (44.5) are Craig County's weakest dimensions, indicating below-average household earnings and moderate economic or environmental concerns. Health outcomes (53.2) are also middling, suggesting healthcare or wellness infrastructure could be strengthened. Limited data on schools, safety, and water quality constrains full assessment.

For tax-savvy families on tight budgets

Craig County appeals to those prioritizing rock-bottom taxes and affordable housing over income potential or advanced services. This county works best for retirees, part-time workers, or anyone seeking maximum purchasing power with minimal tax drag.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax85.9Cost84SafetyComing SoonHealth53.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.2Risk44.5WaterComing Soon
🏛85.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠84
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼16.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
53.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
44.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Craig County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Craig County

via TaxByCounty

Craig County beats national tax burden

Craig County's effective rate of 0.583% ranks in the nation's lowest quartile, significantly below the 0.73% national median. The median property tax of $775 is 71% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Second-lowest rate in Oklahoma

Craig County has Oklahoma's second-lowest effective tax rate at 0.583%, trailing only a handful of counties statewide. The median tax bill of $775 is 19% below the state average of $959.

Most affordable in the northeast region

Craig County's 0.583% rate is the lowest among Oklahoma's northeast counties, including Cotton County (0.629%) and Delaware County (0.589%). This makes it one of the state's best bargains for property owners.

Median home taxed at just $775 yearly

A property valued at the median of $132,900 generates a property tax of approximately $775 per year. With a mortgage, that bill grows to $905 once additional assessments apply.

Verify your assessment with the assessor

Even in Craig County's low-tax environment, some homeowners may be paying more than they should. Contact your county assessor to request a free reassessment if you suspect your home's value is overstated.

Cost of Living in Craig County

via CostByCounty

Craig County rent bites harder

Craig County's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio signals tighter housing affordability compared to national standards, where 28% is the typical ceiling for sustainable rent burdens. Residents earning a median of $50,182 pay $826 monthly in rent—a squeeze that reflects lower regional incomes paired with higher costs.

Above-average rent pressure in Oklahoma

Craig County's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Oklahoma's 17.0% state average, placing it among the less affordable counties for renters in the state. For a county with below-average household income, this affordability gap warrants attention from policy makers and prospective residents alike.

Rents climb in the northeastern corner

Craig County's $826 rent is the second-highest in this regional grouping, edging Creek County ($910) but outpacing Cotton County ($742) and Ellis County ($728). Despite these higher rents, median home values ($132,900) remain competitive for buyers seeking rural Oklahoma property.

Renters shoulder a heavier load

Craig County renters spend nearly 20% of their $50,182 income on a median rent of $826, while homeowners commit roughly 15.1% to monthly ownership costs of $630. The gap between renter and owner burden highlights why homeownership becomes increasingly attractive as residents age and build equity.

Craig County: Plan wisely before moving

If you're considering Craig County, prioritize homeownership over renting to maximize affordability—median owner costs are significantly lower than rents. Prospective residents should compare this county's $50,182 median income against their own earning power, as housing affordability here depends heavily on job prospects.

Income & Jobs in Craig County

via IncomeByCounty

Craig County faces an income gap

Craig County's median household income of $50,182 lags the national median of $74,755 by nearly $25,000, representing a 33% shortfall. This is among the larger gaps in rural Oklahoma.

Among Oklahoma's lowest-income counties

Craig County ranks in the lower third of Oklahoma counties, falling $8,000 below the state median of $58,273. Economic development and job diversity remain critical challenges for household earnings here.

Struggles compared to adjacent peers

Craig County's $50,182 median income ranks lowest among its regional neighbors, falling well behind Delaware County ($55,114), Custer County ($57,562), and Cotton County ($60,313). This income disparity reflects differences in local job markets and industry mix.

Housing costs strain household budgets

Craig County households dedicate 19.8% of income to rent—approaching the affordability warning zone. With per capita income of just $26,443, housing affordability requires careful budgeting despite median home values of $132,900.

Start small, build momentum in Craig County

Even modest incomes benefit from consistent saving habits and employer benefits enrollment. Craig County residents should prioritize emergency funds and seek employer matching programs, which provide immediate returns regardless of salary level.

Health in Craig County

via HealthByCounty

Craig County Health Trails National Standard

Craig County's life expectancy of 72.5 years falls short of the U.S. average of 76 years by 3.5 years. With 27.3% of residents reporting poor or fair health—well above the national average of 18%—the county faces a significant public health burden.

Middle of the Pack in Oklahoma

Craig County's 72.5-year life expectancy sits just below Oklahoma's state average of 72.7 years. However, its 27.3% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's worst, indicating health outcomes lag despite near-average life expectancy figures.

Craig Faces Highest Health Burden

Craig County's 27.3% poor/fair health rate is the highest among comparable Oklahoma counties—exceeding Custer County (20.3%) and Ellis County (19.5%) by a significant margin. Its life expectancy of 72.5 years matches similar counties but masks deeper chronic health challenges.

Strong Provider Presence, Persistent Gaps

Craig County offers strong mental health resources with 586 providers per 100,000 residents—among Oklahoma's best—and 43 primary care providers per 100,000. Yet 15.4% of residents remain uninsured, meaning many cannot access these available services.

Get Health Insurance Today

Despite robust healthcare infrastructure, 1 in 7 Craig County residents lacks coverage. Visit HealthCare.gov or contact a local federally qualified health center to find affordable options that unlock access to primary and mental health care.

Disaster Risk in Craig County

via RiskByCounty

Craig County's risk mirrors the U.S. average

Craig County's composite risk score of 55.50 places it right at the national baseline for natural disaster exposure. Your county faces moderate, balanced threats across multiple hazard types—neither exceptionally safe nor exceptionally vulnerable compared to the typical American county. This "Relatively Low" rating reflects moderate but manageable risk across the hazard spectrum.

Middle-of-the-road risk within Oklahoma

Craig County's 55.50 score sits almost exactly at Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's disaster risk hierarchy. You face neither the exceptional safety of counties like Cotton nor the elevated threats of high-risk counties like Delaware. Craig County's position reflects Oklahoma's typical risk profile.

Slightly safer than Delaware and Creek

Craig County's 55.50 composite score runs lower than nearby Delaware County (82.67) and Creek County (83.24), but higher than Cotton County (4.90) and Ellis County (24.78). Among your immediate region, Craig occupies a middle tier of risk. The wide range among neighbors shows that disaster vulnerability varies significantly within this part of Oklahoma.

Tornado, wildfire, and flood dangers present real threats

Tornadoes (66.83), wildfires (60.43), and flooding (55.06) all pose substantial risks to Craig County residents. Earthquake (50.48) and hurricane (32.33) risks remain secondary but still measurable concerns. The convergence of three major hazard types means comprehensive preparedness requires attention to multiple disaster types.

Bundle coverage for tornado, flood, and wildfire

Craig County homeowners need standard coverage for tornado damage and separate policies for flood and wildfire—most standard policies exclude both. Review your coverage annually, especially before spring severe weather season, and confirm your deductibles are manageable. Many insurers offer multi-hazard discounts when you bundle policies, making comprehensive protection more affordable.

ByCounty Network

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