countyscore
50.2
County Score
Disaster Risk 84.4Property Tax 82.8Cost of Living 59.3

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.

2040608010082.859.341.225.843.441.484.410.849.6Tax82.8Cost59.3Safety41.2Health25.8Schools43.4Income41.4Risk84.4Water10.8Weather49.650.2/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Dewey County DNA

Foverall

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

Dewey County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (84.4/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (10.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
82.8+30.799999999999997
Cost
59.3+11.299999999999997
Safety
41.2-13.799999999999997
Health
25.8-24.2
Schools
43.4-10.600000000000001
Income
41.4-9.600000000000001
Risk
84.4+37.400000000000006
Water
10.8-47.2
Weather
49.6
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Whether buying or refinancing in Dewey County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$133,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$912/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$133,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$36,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $62,569/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

22.6

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 Dewey County with Clinch County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Custer County
Oklahoma
39.9
Woodward County
Oklahoma
39.3
Major County
Oklahoma
58.4
Ellis County
Oklahoma
52.6
Roger Mills County
Oklahoma
57.5
Blaine County
Oklahoma
43.5
Woods County
Oklahoma
55.7
Washita County
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52.7

Deep Dives

Dewey County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

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 50.2 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 #18 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 $689, with an effective tax rate of 0.52%. This earns Dewey County a tax score of 82.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dewey County?
The median household income in Dewey County, Oklahoma is $62,569 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dewey County earns an income score of 41.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dewey County, Oklahoma a good place to live?
Dewey County scores 50.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #18 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.
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.