Garfield County's composite score of 64.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it near the 64th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates livability competitive with the majority of U.S. regions, particularly in income and health.
2 / 5
Below Oklahoma's average
Garfield County scores 64.2 against Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, placing it slightly below the state's middle tier. While respectable, it trails many Oklahoma peers in overall livability.
3 / 5
Strongest income in this group
Garfield County leads with the highest income score (27.3) and median household income of $67,302, indicating the best wage potential here. Health (58.9) and cost (79.1) scores are also solid, supporting a productive lifestyle.
4 / 5
Risk and tax burden concern
Risk (17.9) and tax burden (77.3) are Garfield County's weakest dimensions—the risk score suggests economic or environmental vulnerability, while the effective tax rate of 0.888% is the highest in this group. Schools, safety, and water quality data are unavailable.
5 / 5
For wage earners willing to invest
Garfield County suits professionals and wage earners earning above $67,000 who can absorb higher taxes and accept moderate economic risk. It's best for families focused on income potential over immediate affordability.
Garfield County's composite score of 64.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it near the 64th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates livability competitive with the majority of U.S. regions, particularly in income and health.
Below Oklahoma's average
Garfield County scores 64.2 against Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, placing it slightly below the state's middle tier. While respectable, it trails many Oklahoma peers in overall livability.
Strongest income in this group
Garfield County leads with the highest income score (27.3) and median household income of $67,302, indicating the best wage potential here. Health (58.9) and cost (79.1) scores are also solid, supporting a productive lifestyle.
Risk and tax burden concern
Risk (17.9) and tax burden (77.3) are Garfield County's weakest dimensions—the risk score suggests economic or environmental vulnerability, while the effective tax rate of 0.888% is the highest in this group. Schools, safety, and water quality data are unavailable.
For wage earners willing to invest
Garfield County suits professionals and wage earners earning above $67,000 who can absorb higher taxes and accept moderate economic risk. It's best for families focused on income potential over immediate affordability.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛77.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Garfield County's effective rate of 0.888% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.73%, ranking it in the highest tier of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,331 remains 51% lower than the national median of $2,690, due to lower property values in Oklahoma.
Highest tax burden in Oklahoma
Garfield County has the highest effective tax rate in Oklahoma at 0.888%, a full 36% above the state average of 0.652%. The median tax bill of $1,331 is 39% above Oklahoma's median of $959, the most significant in the state.
Far exceeds surrounding counties
Garfield County's 0.888% rate far surpasses neighboring Ellis County (0.748%) and Custer County (0.676%), making it the tax leader in the northwest region. Property owners here bear substantially higher burdens than adjacent counties.
Median home costs $1,331 annually
A homeowner with the median-valued property of $149,800 pays approximately $1,331 per year in property taxes—the highest median in the state. With a mortgage, the bill climbs to $1,420.
Challenge inflated assessments aggressively
Garfield County homeowners should prioritize assessment reviews given the high tax rates. An appeal is your primary tool to reduce the tax burden; the assessor's office can adjust values if they exceed fair market value.
Garfield County: Strong income eases affordability
At 16.3%, Garfield County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below national affordability thresholds, buoyed by the county's strongest median income of $67,302. Renters here pay $915 monthly but manage this burden effectively thanks to above-average wages relative to other rural Oklahoma counties.
Below Oklahoma's average rent burden
Garfield County's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio beats Oklahoma's state average of 17.0%, reflecting strong local incomes that offset moderate rents. The county's economic strength translates to better affordability than much of rural Oklahoma.
Highest incomes, highest rents balanced
Garfield County's $915 median rent ranks third-highest among these eight counties, yet its 16.3% affordability ratio remains favorable because residents earn $67,302—the highest median income in this group. This economic strength allows residents to absorb higher housing costs without strain.
Balanced burden across both housing types
Garfield County renters dedicate 16.3% of their $67,302 income to median rent of $915, while homeowners commit 14.9% to monthly costs of $839. Both groups maintain reasonable housing-to-income ratios, suggesting Garfield County's economy supports sustainable affordability for renters and homeowners alike.
Garfield County: Prosperity meets affordability
Garfield County stands out as Oklahoma's economic anchor among these eight counties, offering the highest median income at $67,302 paired with moderate rent of $915 and median home value of $149,800. Job seekers relocating here enjoy the county's strongest wage opportunities alongside manageable housing costs—a rare combination in rural Oklahoma.
Garfield County's median household income of $67,302 comes within $7,400 of the national median of $74,755, a much smaller gap than most Oklahoma counties. This positions Garfield as one of the state's stronger-earning regions.
Among Oklahoma's highest-earning counties
Garfield County's median income of $67,302 exceeds Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by more than $9,000 per household. The county ranks in the top tier of Oklahoma counties for household earnings and per capita income of $33,818.
Clear leader in this regional peer group
Garfield County's $67,302 median income significantly outpaces all neighboring counties in this comparison, including Creek County ($61,849) and Cotton County ($60,313). Strong employment and diverse industries support these above-average earnings.
Healthy balance of income and housing
Garfield County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% keeps housing costs modest and well below affordability concerns. Median home values of $149,800 are easily accessible for households earning $67,302.
Diversify investments beyond homeownership
Garfield County's above-average income and manageable housing costs create ideal conditions for wealth diversification. Households should maximize retirement account contributions, build investment portfolios, and consider additional asset classes to compound long-term prosperity.
Garfield County's life expectancy of 72.8 years sits 3.2 years below the U.S. average of 76, while its 20.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 18% by a small margin. The county reflects Oklahoma's broader health pattern relative to the nation.
Slightly Above State Average
Garfield County's 72.8-year life expectancy exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 72.7 years by a slim margin, placing it among better-performing counties. Its 20.8% poor/fair health rate sits below state norms, indicating relatively stable population health.
Garfield Performs Solidly in Region
Garfield County's 72.8-year life expectancy matches the region's best performers, including Ellis and Custer counties, while its 20.8% poor/fair health rate sits in the middle tier. The county demonstrates consistent, above-average health outcomes for Oklahoma.
Balanced Healthcare Infrastructure
Garfield County provides 42 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and a strong 456 mental health providers per 100,000, offering comprehensive care. However, 15.7% of residents remain uninsured, meaning some cannot access these available services.
Secure Your Health Coverage
Despite strong provider resources, 1 in 6 Garfield County residents lacks health insurance. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health center services to unlock access to primary and mental healthcare.
Garfield County faces elevated national disaster risk
Garfield County's composite risk score of 82.09 and "Relatively Moderate" rating place it substantially above the national average for natural disaster exposure. Your county experiences significantly more combined hazard threat than most U.S. counties. This elevated position reflects serious vulnerabilities across multiple disaster types requiring comprehensive preparedness.
Among Oklahoma's highest-risk counties
Garfield County's 82.09 composite score ranks it among the most hazardous counties in Oklahoma, far exceeding the state average of 55.47. Only Delaware County (82.67) and Creek County (83.24) present comparable or slightly higher risk levels. Garfield County occupies Oklahoma's tier of most-vulnerable counties.
Tied with region's highest risks
Garfield County's 82.09 score ranks nearly even with Delaware County (82.67) and far exceeds Custer County (62.02) and Ellis County (24.78) in this region. The Garfield-Delaware-Creek triangle represents Oklahoma's highest-concentration hazard zone. Residents in this tri-county area face the state's most complex disaster preparedness requirements.
Tornadoes, earthquakes, and wildfires pose major threats
Tornado risk (92.18) dominates Garfield County's hazard profile, followed by earthquake risk (57.98) and flood risk (66.98). Wildfire risk (53.63) and hurricane risk (28.91) are secondary but measurable concerns. The tornado-flood combination, unusual in Oklahoma, makes Garfield's risk profile distinctive within the state.
Tornado, flood, and earthquake coverage essential
Garfield County homeowners should maintain standard coverage for tornado damage and secure separate policies for flood and earthquake damage—a three-layer protection strategy. Identifying a tornado shelter area in your home, maintaining emergency supplies, and ensuring family communication plans are critical safety steps. Meeting with a local insurance professional to verify comprehensive coverage is your most important preparedness action.