countyscore
41.9
County Score
Property Tax 78.7Cost of Living 73.3Weather & Climate 60.5

County Report Card

About Craig County, Oklahoma

Falling Short of National Livability Standards

Craig County scores a 39.4, trailing the national median composite score of 50.0 by more than ten points. This indicates significant room for growth compared to higher-performing counties across the United States.

Below the Oklahoma State Average

At 39.4, Craig County sits below the state average of 43.0 for Oklahoma. It ranks in the bottom half of the state's counties, primarily due to lower income levels and infrastructure scores.

Low Tax Burden and Affordable Housing

The county boasts a strong Tax Score of 76.1, supported by a very low effective tax rate of 0.583%. Housing remains accessible, with a Cost Score of 67.8 and a median home value of $132,900.

Income and Infrastructure Hurdles

An Income Score of 14.9 highlights a median household income of just $50,182, which is significantly lower than national averages. Water quality and healthcare access also rank low, scoring 8.5 and 14.2 respectively.

A Haven for the Tax-Sensitive

Craig County is best suited for retirees or individuals with fixed incomes who benefit from the very low property tax rates. Those seeking upward career mobility or high-end infrastructure may find better matches elsewhere.

2040608010078.773.322.314.221.415.344.58.560.5Tax78.7Cost73.3Safety22.3Health14.2Schools21.4Income15.3Risk44.5Water8.5Weather60.541.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average5 below average

Craig County DNA

Foverall

How Craig County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Craig County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (78.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (8.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
78.7+26.700000000000003
Cost
73.3+25.299999999999997
Safety
22.3-32.7
Health
14.2-35.8
Schools
21.4-32.6
Income
15.3-35.7
Risk
44.5
Water
8.5-49.5
Weather
60.5
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Craig County

Whether buying or refinancing in Craig County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$150,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$810/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$150,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $51,922/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

7.0

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Craig County with Colusa County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Colusa County
California
Median income: $75,672
41.9
Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
Median income: $86,586
41.9
St. John the Baptist Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $66,630
41.9
Middlesex County
New Jersey
Median income: $111,549
41.9
Cleveland County
North Carolina
Median income: $58,534
41.9
Franklin County
Ohio
Median income: $75,176
41.9
Georgetown County
South Carolina
Median income: $68,713
41.9
Kershaw County
South Carolina
Median income: $68,231
41.9

Nearby counties

Ottawa County
Oklahoma
34.7
Nowata County
Oklahoma
39.1
Labette County
Kansas
39.8
Cherokee County
Kansas
42.8
Delaware County
Oklahoma
38.4
Mayes County
Oklahoma
37.9
Washington County
Oklahoma
42.7
Rogers County
Oklahoma
32.7

Deep Dives

Craig County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Craig County

via CrimeByCounty

Craig County Shows Strong National Safety Profile

Craig County reports a total crime rate of 1,993.8 per 100,000, placing it well below the national mark of 2,385.5. The county's impressive safety score of 96.9 reflects a secure environment for its residents.

Strong Ranking Among Oklahoma Counties

With a safety score of 96.9, Craig County outperforms the Oklahoma state average of 95.8. Its total crime rate is over 600 points lower than the state average of 2,647.7 per 100,000.

Craig County Relative to Regional Neighbors

Craig County's crime rate of 1,993.8 is similar to Delaware County's rate of 1,890.2. Both counties represent a safer alternative to Oklahoma’s larger urban centers and the state average.

A Focus on Local Crime Trends

Violent crime in Craig County is low at 219.2 per 100,000, significantly beating the national average of 369.8. Property crime makes up the bulk of local reports at 1,774.6 incidents per 100,000 residents.

Simple Security for Craig County Residents

Focusing on home security can keep property crime rates even lower in the future. Securing entry points and using smart surveillance are effective ways to protect your household.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Craig County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic and Forest-Ready Soils

Craig County soils are notably acidic with a pH of 5.78, significantly lower than the national median of 6.5. This measurement also falls below the Oklahoma state average of 6.06, favoring acid-loving crops and native shrubs.

Silt-Heavy Composition Drives Texture

Silt dominates the profile at 49.3%, paired with 21.3% sand and 22.4% clay. This silty mix provides excellent nutrient retention, though it can be prone to compaction if worked while the ground is wet.

Exceptional Organic Matter Levels

The county boasts an impressive 4.30% organic matter, more than double the national average of 2.0%. Combined with a high available water capacity of 0.173 in/in, this soil is exceptionally fertile compared to most of the state.

High Moisture Retention for Crops

While specific drainage class data is unavailable for this area, the high silt content typically suggests strong moisture retention. These soils generally hold water effectively, though they require monitoring to ensure proper aeration.

Productive Gardening in Zone 7a

Hardiness Zone 7a supports a wide variety of both cool-season and warm-season crops. Thanks to a high soil score of 57.8, Craig County is one of the most naturally productive regions in Oklahoma for home growers.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Craig County

via LawnByCounty

Craig County Lawns Outperform National Averages

With a lawn difficulty score of 59.8, Craig County is one of the easier places in the state to keep a green yard. It sits in Zone 7a, offering a more temperate growing environment than the southern half of Oklahoma.

Predicting Patterns Despite Regional Data Gaps

While specific local precipitation and temperature data are limited, the county benefits from the milder trends of the northeast Oklahoma border. Homeowners should monitor local weather stations to adjust their schedules for the transition into summer.

Acidic Soils May Need Lime Adjustments

The local soil pH of 5.78 is slightly below the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, which can limit nutrient availability. Since the soil is a balanced mix of 22.4% clay and 21.3% sand, adding lime can help neutralize acidity and improve grass health.

Managing Extreme Drought Pressures in Craig

The entire county is currently experiencing severe drought conditions, and residents have faced 17 weeks of drought over the last year. Mulching clippings back into the lawn helps retain moisture and protects the soil surface from drying out.

Reliable Grass Selections for Northeast Oklahoma

Tall fescue and Bermuda grass perform well in Zone 7a, providing versatility for both sun and partial shade. Start your lawn projects once the ground thaws to take advantage of the spring growing window.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Craig County's county score?
Craig County, Oklahoma has a composite county score of 41.9 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 Craig County rank among counties in Oklahoma?
Craig County ranks #37 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 Craig County, Oklahoma?
The median annual property tax in Craig County is $823, with an effective tax rate of 0.55%. This earns Craig County a tax score of 78.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Craig County?
The median household income in Craig County, Oklahoma is $51,922 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Craig County earns an income score of 15.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Craig County, Oklahoma a good place to live?
Craig County scores 41.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #37 in Oklahoma. The best way to evaluate Craig 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 Craig County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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