Dewey County's composite score of 72.7 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it at approximately the 73rd percentile nationally. This strong position reflects livability competitive with the best-performing U.S. counties.
2 / 5
Top tier in Oklahoma
Dewey County scores 72.7, beating Oklahoma's state average of 68.4 by more than 4 points. It ranks among the state's strongest-performing counties for overall livability.
3 / 5
Risk and affordability define the county
Dewey County excels with a risk score of 84.4, indicating strong economic and environmental stability, alongside excellent tax (85.3) and cost (82.7) scores. The median home value of $118,200 and effective tax rate of 0.603% create exceptional buying conditions.
4 / 5
Income potential remains modest
Income (22.9) is Dewey County's lowest dimension, reflecting limited wage advancement relative to national standards. Health (59.5) is also middling. Schools, safety, and water quality data are not yet available for complete assessment.
5 / 5
Perfect for stability-seeking homeowners
Dewey County appeals to families and retirees prioritizing economic stability, low taxes, and affordable housing over income growth or high-wage careers. It's an excellent fit for those valuing security and predictability over ambition.
Dewey County's composite score of 72.7 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, placing it at approximately the 73rd percentile nationally. This strong position reflects livability competitive with the best-performing U.S. counties.
Top tier in Oklahoma
Dewey County scores 72.7, beating Oklahoma's state average of 68.4 by more than 4 points. It ranks among the state's strongest-performing counties for overall livability.
Risk and affordability define the county
Dewey County excels with a risk score of 84.4, indicating strong economic and environmental stability, alongside excellent tax (85.3) and cost (82.7) scores. The median home value of $118,200 and effective tax rate of 0.603% create exceptional buying conditions.
Income potential remains modest
Income (22.9) is Dewey County's lowest dimension, reflecting limited wage advancement relative to national standards. Health (59.5) is also middling. Schools, safety, and water quality data are not yet available for complete assessment.
Perfect for stability-seeking homeowners
Dewey County appeals to families and retirees prioritizing economic stability, low taxes, and affordable housing over income growth or high-wage careers. It's an excellent fit for those valuing security and predictability over ambition.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛85.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.