countyscore
49.1
County Score
Disaster Risk 84.4Property Tax 74.1Cost of Living 60.9

County Report Card

About Dewey County, Oklahoma

Approaching National Median Standards

Dewey County earns a composite score of 49.1, nearly matching the national median of 50.0. This makes it one of the most competitive rural counties in the region on a national scale.

Outperforming the Oklahoma State Average

At 49.1, Dewey County comfortably exceeds the Oklahoma state average of 43.0. It ranks as a top-performing county within the state for overall quality of life.

Safety from Disasters and Low Taxes

The county boasts an impressive Risk Score of 84.4, meaning it is very safe from natural disasters. A Tax Score of 74.1 and median home values of $118,200 further enhance its appeal.

Water Quality and Health Constraints

Infrastructure is the weak point here, with a Water Score of 10.8. Healthcare access also lags behind other dimensions with a score of 25.8, which is common in rural Oklahoma.

Top Choice for Rural Stability

Dewey County is perfect for those seeking a safe, low-tax environment with high property value stability. It is a premier option for rural living without the high disaster risks found elsewhere.

Score breakdown

Tax74.1Cost60.9Safety41.2Health25.8Schools43.4Income40.8Risk84.4Water10.8Weather49.6
🏛74.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠60.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼40.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡41.2
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤25.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓43.4
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡84.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧10.8
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤49.6
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨31.1
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱46.1
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

Custer County
Oklahoma
41.4
Woodward County
Oklahoma
38.1
Major County
Oklahoma
58.7
Ellis County
Oklahoma
54.6
Roger Mills County
Oklahoma
58.7
Blaine County
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44
Woods County
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56.8
Washita County
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53.8

Deep Dives

Dewey County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Dewey County

via TaxByCounty

Dewey County taxes run low nationally

Dewey County's effective rate of 0.603% sits well below the national median of 0.73%, ranking in the bottom third of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $713 is 73% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Competitive rate within Oklahoma

Dewey County's 0.603% rate sits 7% below Oklahoma's state average of 0.652%, making it one of the lower-tax counties statewide. The median tax bill of $713 is 26% below the state median of $959.

Similar taxes to nearby counties

Dewey County's 0.603% rate closely mirrors Cotton County (0.629%) and falls between Craig County (0.583%) and Garfield County (0.888%). It ranks among the region's more affordable options.

Median home costs $713 annually

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $118,200 pays approximately $713 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the annual bill grows to $859.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Even in Dewey County's low-tax environment, overassessments occur. Request a reassessment from your county assessor if recent market activity suggests your home's value is too high.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dewey County

via CostByCounty

Dewey County rents near national norms

Dewey County's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio hovers just below national affordability thresholds, indicating sustainable but notable housing cost burdens. Residents with a median income of $60,550 allocate 17.8% to median rent of $900—a manageable share that reflects moderate regional pressures.

Slightly above Oklahoma's rental average

Dewey County's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio edges above Oklahoma's 17.0% state average, placing it in the middle tier for county affordability. While not dramatically worse than state norms, this modest gap reflects slightly elevated rents relative to comparable Oklahoma communities.

Second-highest rents in the region

Dewey County's $900 median rent ranks second-highest among these eight counties, trailing only Creek County's $910, yet its 17.8% rent-to-income burden remains reasonable due to a relatively healthy median income. Homebuyers benefit from a low median value of $118,200, the second-lowest in the group.

Clear advantage for homeowners here

Dewey County renters dedicate 17.8% of their $60,550 income to median rent of $900, while homeowners commit only 12.4% to median monthly costs of $624. This 5.4-percentage-point gap makes homeownership dramatically more affordable and suggests strong incentives for resident retention through owner-occupied housing.

Dewey County: Buy low, save big

Relocators to Dewey County should prioritize homeownership—at $118,200 median value and $624 monthly costs, buying delivers exceptional affordability compared to rents at $900. The county's combination of high rents and low home values creates an unusual opportunity for owner-occupants to build equity quickly.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dewey County

via IncomeByCounty

Dewey County trails national income standards

Dewey County's median household income of $60,550 falls roughly $14,200 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, a 19% gap. The county reflects broader rural income disparities across the country.

Above Oklahoma state median

Dewey County's median income of $60,550 exceeds Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by approximately $2,300. The county ranks slightly above the middle of Oklahoma's counties for household earnings.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Dewey County's $60,550 median income places it just below Cotton County ($60,313) and Creek County ($61,849), outpacing Craig County and Delaware County. Local energy and agricultural sectors support these earnings.

Housing costs are well-managed

Dewey County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% indicates households spend less than one-fifth of earnings on housing, safely below the 30% affordability threshold. Median home values of $118,200 remain accessible for these income levels.

Leverage stability for wealth building

Dewey County's solid income-to-housing ratio creates space for investment beyond basic shelter needs. Per capita income of $30,044 pairs with reasonable costs to support contributions to retirement accounts and diversified savings vehicles.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Dewey County

via CrimeByCounty

Dewey County Among the Nation's Safest

Dewey County boasts a very low total crime rate of 1,332.1 per 100,000, nearly half the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county an exceptional safety score of 97.9.

A Safety Leader in the State

Dewey County’s safety score of 97.9 is significantly higher than the Oklahoma state average of 95.8. Residents here live in one of the most secure counties in the entire state.

Safer than Almost All Regional Neighbors

Dewey County is much safer than nearby Garfield County, which has a crime rate of 2,902.9. Its total crime rate is also far lower than Cotton County’s 2,058.9.

Violent and Property Crime Insights

Violent crime is rare here, with a rate of 177.6 per 100,000 residents. Property crime sits at 1,154.5, which is nearly 900 points lower than the national property crime average.

Maintaining Safety in Dewey County

Low crime rates are a community asset that residents can help protect through vigilance. Simple habits like locking vehicles and securing garages help keep property crime numbers at these record lows.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Dewey County

via HealthByCounty

Dewey County's Life Expectancy Stands Strong

Dewey County's life expectancy of 73.0 years is among Oklahoma's best, trailing the U.S. average of 76 by only 3 years. At 21.1% poor/fair health, the county exceeds the national average of 18%, but still performs better than most neighboring counties.

Above State Average in Oklahoma

Dewey County's 73.0-year life expectancy is the highest among comparable Oklahoma counties, exceeding the state average of 72.7 years. Its 21.1% poor/fair health rate sits below state norms, positioning the county among Oklahoma's healthier regions.

Dewey Leads Regional Life Expectancy

Dewey County's 73.0-year life expectancy is the highest in its region, surpassing all comparable counties including Ellis and Custer (both 72.8). Its 21.1% poor/fair health rate places it in the middle tier—better than Cotton, Craig, and Delaware counties.

Strong Primary Care, Limited Mental Health Data

Dewey County provides 45 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, supporting accessible basic healthcare, while mental health provider data is limited. The county's 15.1% uninsured rate sits just below state average, though some residents still face coverage barriers.

Maintain Your Insurance

Dewey County's strong health outcomes benefit from good insurance coverage, but 1 in 7 residents remain uninsured. Visit Healthcare.gov to verify your coverage or explore options if you're currently uninsured.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Dewey County

via SchoolsByCounty

Intimate Rural Education Infrastructure

Dewey County manages a small but effective network of nine public schools across four districts. The system serves 1,059 students through four elementary schools, one middle school, and four high schools.

High Investment and Competitive Scores

Dewey County invests $8,724 per pupil, significantly more than the state average of $6,520. The graduation rate is 80.9%, and the county achieves a school score of 52.5, which is higher than the state median of 49.5.

The Seiling School District Spotlight

Seiling is the largest district, enrolling 439 students across its three local campuses. There are no charter schools in Dewey County, ensuring all 1,059 students are served by traditional local districts.

A Purely Rural School Experience

Every school in the county is classified as rural, offering an exceptionally small average school size of 118 students. Seiling Elementary is the largest school with 271 students, while Taloga schools offer even smaller, focused environments.

Experience Personalized Rural Schooling

If you are looking for a community where every teacher knows every student, Dewey County's rural districts are hard to beat. Research homes in Seiling or Vici to find a quiet lifestyle paired with strong per-pupil funding.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dewey County

via RiskByCounty

Dewey County's risk ranks far below national average

Dewey County's composite risk score of 15.65 and "Very Low" rating place it well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. Your county experiences substantially less combined hazard threat than the typical U.S. county. This exceptional low score reflects relative resilience across most disaster types.

Among Oklahoma's safest counties

Dewey County's 15.65 composite score ranks it among the safest counties in Oklahoma, dramatically below the state average of 55.47. Only Cotton County (4.90) and Ellis County (24.78) achieve comparable low-risk status. Dewey County occupies Oklahoma's tier of most-protected counties.

Significantly safer than regional averages

Dewey County's 15.65 score stands far below Custer County (62.02), Garfield County (82.09), and Beaver County (if applicable), making it an exceptional refuge of low risk in this region. Among western Oklahoma counties, Dewey consistently ranks among the safest. This geographic advantage reflects Dewey's protection from the hazards that threaten surrounding areas.

Wildfire is the primary concern; others minimal

Wildfire risk (73.57) is Dewey County's only substantially elevated hazard, though still moderate in absolute terms. Tornado risk (39.12), earthquake risk (23.28), hurricane risk (11.93), and flood risk (5.66) all present minimal concerns. Wildfire represents the lone area requiring heightened preparedness attention.

Prioritize wildfire protection; basic coverage sufficient

Dewey County homeowners should ensure their standard insurance covers basic perils and consider adding wildfire coverage to address your county's primary hazard. Clearing brush and maintaining defensible space around your property provides cost-effective wildfire protection. Most residents find that standard homeowners insurance, combined with basic wildfire precautions, provides sufficient protection for Dewey County's risk profile.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Dewey County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and Relatively Arid Profile

Dewey County's 58.0°F average is warmer than the national median but cooler than much of Oklahoma. It receives only 27.7 inches of rain annually.

Cooler and Drier Than State Norms

At 58.0°F, Dewey is cooler than the 60.4°F state average. It also faces a significant rain deficit compared to the 37.2-inch state average.

Snowier Than Its Southern Neighbors

The county records 7.9 inches of annual snowfall, which is higher than many nearby regions. Its dry climate is typical of northwestern Oklahoma.

Hot Summers with Cold Winters

Dewey County sees 85 days of temperatures above 90°F. Winter averages are a cold 36.6°F, marking it as a region of wide seasonal swings.

Prepare for Wide Temperature Extremes

Homeowners must plan for 81.5°F July peaks and the 7.9 inches of snow. Winterize pipes and maintain reliable heating for the colder-than-average winters.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Dewey County

via SoilByCounty

Sweet, Sandy Entisols in Dewey County

Dewey County soils belong to the Entisols order and have a pH of 6.76. This is slightly more alkaline than the national median of 6.5, suiting plants that prefer 'sweeter' soil conditions.

Loamy Fine Sand Dominates the Land

A loamy fine sand texture dominates with 52.2% sand, 28.4% silt, and 13.4% clay. This high sand content ensures the soil is easy to dig but may lose nutrients quickly through leaching.

Low Organic Matter and Water Storage

Organic matter is low at 1.04%, which is well below the state average of 1.72%. The available water capacity of 0.127 in/in also trails the state benchmark, making consistent irrigation critical for garden success.

Fast-Draining Soils for Great Infiltration

The soil is somewhat excessively drained and belongs to Hydrologic Group A, indicating very high infiltration rates. While these conditions are excellent for building, they require frequent watering for most traditional crops.

Drought-Tolerant Planting in Zone 7a

Hardiness Zone 7a allows for a variety of hardy grains and drought-tolerant native plants. While the soil score is lower at 31.1, the excellent drainage makes it a great spot for specialized xeriscaping.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Dewey County

via LawnByCounty

Dewey County Matches State Lawn Averages

Dewey County’s difficulty score of 46.1 is identical to the Oklahoma state average. Located in Zone 7a, lawns here face a mix of dry winters and hot summers typical of the western plains.

Arid Conditions Limit Natural Turf Growth

Annual precipitation of 27.7 inches falls below the 30-inch ideal threshold, making supplemental watering necessary. Lawns must also survive 85 extreme heat days, which can quickly dry out poorly maintained turf.

Sandy Loam Provides Excellent Natural Drainage

The soil is 52.2% sand and classified as somewhat excessively drained, which prevents waterlogging but leads to fast drying. A near-perfect pH of 6.76 means your grass can easily access whatever nutrients are available.

Maintaining Greenery During Dry Spells

While no part of Dewey is currently in severe drought, the county has weathered 23 weeks of drought in the past year. Using a rain gauge to ensure your lawn gets exactly one inch of water per week can prevent waste.

Tough Grasses for the Western Front

Bermuda and native Buffalograss are the most resilient options for Dewey's 27.7 inches of rain. Plan your planting after the last frost on April 18 to protect tender new shoots from late-season cold.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dewey County's county score?
Dewey County, Oklahoma has a composite county score of 49.1 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 Dewey County rank among counties in Oklahoma?
Dewey County ranks #20 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 Dewey County, Oklahoma?
The median annual property tax in Dewey County is $713, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Dewey County a tax score of 74.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dewey County?
The median household income in Dewey County, Oklahoma is $60,550 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dewey County earns an income score of 40.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dewey County, Oklahoma a good place to live?
Dewey County scores 49.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #20 in Oklahoma. The best way to evaluate Dewey 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 Dewey County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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