countyscore
39.9
County Score
Property Tax 61.7Weather & Climate 56.9Cost of Living 51.8

County Report Card

About Custer County, Oklahoma

Closing the Gap with National Medians

Custer County earns a composite score of 41.4, nearly reaching the bottom tier of the national median of 50.0. While still below the mark, it performs better than many other rural Oklahoma counterparts.

Consistent with Oklahoma State Performance

The county's score of 41.4 is just shy of the Oklahoma state average of 43.0. It maintains a steady, middle-tier position among the 77 counties in the state.

Balanced Tax and Cost Profiles

Custer County offers a Tax Score of 65.9 and a Cost Score of 56.0, indicating a relatively low cost of living. Renters find value here with a median gross rent of only $779 per month.

Healthcare and School Quality Gaps

Health and school dimensions score 26.6 and 29.0 respectively, showing room for improvement in community services. These scores represent the primary limiting factors for families considering a move to the area.

A Solid Choice for Renters

Custer County is an excellent match for those seeking low-cost rental housing and moderate tax burdens. It provides a stable environment for individuals who do not prioritize top-tier school rankings.

2040608010061.751.830.826.629333831.656.9Tax61.7Cost51.8Safety30.8Health26.6Schools29Income33Risk38Water31.6Weather56.939.9/100
This county
National avg
5 below average

Custer County DNA

Foverall

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

Custer County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Water Quality (31.6/100), though Property Tax (61.7/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
61.7+9.700000000000003
Cost
51.8
Safety
30.8-24.2
Health
26.6-23.4
Schools
29-25
Income
33-18
Risk
38-9
Water
31.6-26.4
Weather
56.9
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$181,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$824/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$181,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,960/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $59,738/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.1

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
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Counties with similar scores

Lonoke County
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Median income: $72,828
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Median income: $74,176
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Fairfield County
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Bedford County
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Laramie County
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Tuscaloosa County
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Contra Costa County
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Humboldt County
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Nearby counties

Washita County
Oklahoma
52.7
Dewey County
Oklahoma
50.2
Blaine County
Oklahoma
43.5
Roger Mills County
Oklahoma
57.5
Caddo County
Oklahoma
41.8
Beckham County
Oklahoma
41
Kiowa County
Oklahoma
53.4
Ellis County
Oklahoma
52.6

Deep Dives

Custer County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Custer County

via TaxByCounty

Custer County taxes slightly above average

Custer County's effective rate of 0.676% sits just below the national median of 0.73%, placing it squarely in the middle of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,197 remains 56% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Mid-range taxes for Oklahoma

Custer County's 0.676% rate is 4% above Oklahoma's state average of 0.652%, reflecting slightly higher local taxing needs. The median tax of $1,197 is 25% above the state median of $959.

Moderate among surrounding counties

Custer County's 0.676% rate sits between Creek County (0.738%) to the east and Garfield County (0.888%) to the northwest. It offers a middle ground in local property tax burdens across the central region.

Median home costs $1,197 per year

A homeowner with the median-valued property of $177,000 pays approximately $1,197 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages can expect that bill to reach $1,475 with additional assessments.

Request a reassessment to lower taxes

Custer County homeowners should verify their assessments match current market conditions. An appeal to the assessor's office is free and can result in substantial savings if your property is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Custer County

via IncomeByCounty

Custer County lags national income benchmarks

Custer County's median household income of $57,562 trails the national median of $74,755 by approximately $17,200, or 23%. This gap is typical for agricultural and rural Oklahoma counties.

Close to Oklahoma's state average

Custer County's median income of $57,562 falls just below Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by about $700. The county ranks near the middle of Oklahoma's economic distribution.

Middle income in the regional mix

Custer County's $57,562 sits between lower-earning Craig County ($50,182) and higher-earning Creek County ($61,849). The county represents a moderate income profile for rural northwestern Oklahoma.

Reasonable housing affordability

At 16.2% of household income, rent costs here are manageable and well below the 30% affordability benchmark. Median home values of $177,000 are accessible for residents earning $57,562 with conventional financing.

Maximize savings potential in Custer County

Custer County households benefit from modest housing burden and should prioritize emergency funds and retirement accounts. Per capita income of $31,487 suggests room for regular investment contributions to build long-term financial stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Custer County

via CrimeByCounty

Custer County Safety Rating Tops National Average

Custer County reports a total crime rate of 1,641.3 per 100,000 people, significantly undercutting the U.S. average of 2,385.5. This results in a superior safety score of 97.4 out of 100.

A High Rank in Oklahoma Safety

Custer County's safety score of 97.4 sits comfortably above the Oklahoma state average of 95.8. With seven agencies reporting, the data highlights a consistently safe environment for the community.

Comparative Regional Safety in Custer

Custer County is much safer than Garfield County, where the crime rate is nearly double at 2,902.9. It also maintains a lower crime rate than neighbors like Cotton or Delaware.

Detailed Crime Breakdown for Custer

Violent crime is low at 211.3 per 100,000, while property crime accounts for 1,430.0 incidents. Both categories are significantly lower than national and state benchmarks.

Securing Your Property in Custer County

Maintain your home's safety by staying aware of property crime trends in your neighborhood. Installing security cameras and joining local watch programs can further discourage criminal activity.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Custer County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer and Drier Than National Medians

Custer County averages 60.3°F annually, placing it among the warmer counties in the United States. Its 30.3 inches of rain indicates a drier-than-average national profile.

A Perfect Match for State Temperatures

The county's 60.3°F average temperature aligns almost perfectly with Oklahoma's 60.4°F state average. However, it receives 7 inches less rain than the state norm.

Transitioning Toward Western Aridity

Custer County receives 30.3 inches of rain, which is notably less than the central Oklahoma average. It shares the windy, dry characteristics of its western neighbors.

Extreme Heat Defines the Summer

The area records 80 days of extreme heat above 90°F annually. Winters are typically dry with a modest 6.5 inches of snowfall.

Drought-Resistant Landscaping is Key

Low precipitation and 82.6°F July averages make water-wise gardening a smart choice. HVAC systems should be serviced for the 80+ days of high heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Custer County

via SoilByCounty

Near-Neutral Soils Ideal for Gardens

Custer County soils have a pH of 6.38, nearing the national median of 6.5 and comfortably exceeding the state average of 6.06. This near-neutral acidity level is ideal for a wide range of common vegetables and flowers.

Workable Soil with Low Clay Content

The mix includes 39.3% sand, 37.1% silt, and 13.5% clay. This relatively low clay content makes the soil easy to work and less likely to become heavy or sticky after a rainstorm.

Reliable Water Access for Plants

Organic matter is lower at 1.26%, trailing the state average of 1.72%. However, the available water capacity is nearly identical to the state average at 0.145 in/in, providing steady moisture access for root systems.

Runoff Risks in Heavy Rains

The county falls into Hydrologic Group D, suggesting limited water infiltration and higher runoff potential. Local growers should focus on adding compost or mulch to improve soil structure and prevent erosion.

Generous Growing Window in Zone 7b

Zone 7b provides a generous window for everything from leafy greens to summer squashes. With a soil score of 41.7, these lands are more productive than the typical Oklahoma county, making it a great time to plant.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Custer County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Modern Lawn Challenges in Custer

Custer County has a lawn difficulty score of 46.6, placing it right in line with the Oklahoma state average. This Zone 7b region requires active management to keep turf healthy through fluctuating weather patterns.

Dry Air and Heat Shape Management

Annual precipitation of 30.3 inches sits at the low end of the ideal range for lawns. Combined with 80 extreme heat days and 5,067 growing degree days, lawns here require dedicated irrigation to avoid summer dormancy.

Ideal pH Levels Support Root Health

The soil pH of 6.38 is nearly perfect for nutrient absorption, minimizing the need for chemical corrections. Low clay content at 13.5% and 39.3% sand suggests that while the soil is easy to work, it may require organic matter to boost water retention.

Severe Drought Impacts Three-Quarters of County

Currently, 74.3% of the county faces severe drought, making water conservation a daily necessity. After 25 weeks of drought this past year, choosing drought-tolerant cultivars is the most effective long-term strategy.

Zone 7b Favorites for West-Central Lawns

Buffalograss and Bermuda are excellent choices for Custer County due to their superior drought tolerance. Wait until after the last spring frost on April 13 to begin your planting for the best results.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Custer County's county score?
Custer County, Oklahoma has a composite county score of 39.9 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 Custer County rank among counties in Oklahoma?
Custer County ranks #46 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 Custer County, Oklahoma?
The median annual property tax in Custer County is $1,248, with an effective tax rate of 0.69%. This earns Custer County a tax score of 61.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Custer County?
The median household income in Custer County, Oklahoma is $59,738 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Custer County earns an income score of 33/100 on CountyScore.
Is Custer County, Oklahoma a good place to live?
Custer County scores 39.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #46 in Oklahoma. The best way to evaluate Custer 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 Custer 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.