CountyScore

Garvin County

Oklahoma · OK

#38 in Oklahoma
68
County Score

County Report Card

About Garvin County, Oklahoma

Well above the national livability baseline

Garvin County scores 68.0 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly outperforming the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper half of all U.S. counties, indicating solid livability across multiple dimensions.

Right at the Oklahoma average

Garvin County's 68.0 score matches nearly exactly with Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, putting it squarely in the middle of the state's county rankings. The county holds its own among its neighbors without standing out as a standout performer or laggard.

Tax-friendly with affordable housing

Garvin County excels in affordability, with a tax score of 86.4 and cost score of 83.6—both well above state and national standards. An effective tax rate of just 0.566% combined with a median home value of $132,600 makes it attractive to budget-conscious households.

Income levels and natural hazard risk lag

The county's income score of 20.7 reflects a median household income of $57,127, below the state opportunity level. Risk score of 38.3 indicates exposure to natural hazards that residents should factor into long-term planning.

Smart choice for retirees and savers

Garvin County suits families and individuals prioritizing low costs and minimal tax burden over high earning potential. If you value affordability and stability in a mid-sized Oklahoma community, this county delivers solid livability without breaking the bank.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax86.4Cost83.6SafetyComing SoonHealth54.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.7Risk38.3WaterComing Soon
🏛86.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡38.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Garvin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Northwest Arctic Borough
Alaska
68
Median income: $81,298
Pitkin County
Colorado
68
Median income: $100,318
Jackson County
Florida
68
Median income: $47,327
Calhoun County
Georgia
68
Median income: $55,714
Early County
Georgia
68
Median income: $53,750

Deep Dives

Garvin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Garvin County

via TaxByCounty

Garvin's taxes rank low nationally

At 0.566%, Garvin County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median, meaning homeowners here pay substantially less than their counterparts across the country. The median property tax of $750 is less than a third of the national median of $2,690, placing Garvin in the lowest quartile for property tax burden nationwide.

Among Oklahoma's most affordable counties

Garvin County ranks favorably within Oklahoma, with an effective rate of 0.566% compared to the state average of 0.652%. The median tax bill of $750 is notably lower than Oklahoma's state median of $959, making Garvin one of the state's lighter-taxed counties.

Competitive with surrounding Panhandle counties

Garvin's 0.566% rate compares favorably to Grady County (0.703%), Grant County (0.604%), and Greer County (0.570%). Among this regional cluster, Garvin offers some of the most affordable property tax rates, though median home values vary significantly across these neighbors.

A $750 annual bill on typical homes

The median Garvin County home valued at $132,600 carries an estimated annual property tax of $750—or $1,042 if you have an outstanding mortgage. This means homeowners spend roughly $63 per month in taxes on a median-value property.

Check if your assessment is accurate

Many Oklahoma homeowners pay more than they should due to inflated property assessments. If your home's assessed value seems high, filing an appeal with the county assessor's office could significantly reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Garvin County

via CostByCounty

Garvin renters spend slightly more than America

Garvin County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% edges above the national average of 17.0%, meaning renters here dedicate a slightly larger share of their paychecks to housing. The median household income of $57,127 falls well short of the national median of $74,755, putting downward pressure on affordability across the county.

Ranked mid-pack in Oklahoma affordability

Garvin County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio places it slightly above Oklahoma's state average of 17.0%, indicating moderate housing pressure relative to peers. The median rent of $828 exceeds the state average of $814, but income levels here are lower than state benchmarks.

Similar costs to surrounding counties

Garvin County's median rent of $828 sits between neighboring Grant County ($856) and Greer County ($624), reflecting regional consistency in rental markets. Incomes vary more dramatically across neighbors—Garvin's $57,127 trails Grady County's $75,730 but exceeds Hughes County's $47,923.

Rent and ownership costs split income

Renters in Garvin County pay $828 monthly on median incomes of $57,127 (17.4% of income), while homeowners dedicate $650 monthly to ownership costs (13.7% of income). Median home values of $132,600 make ownership more accessible than renting relative to local incomes, a pattern that reverses national trends.

Consider Garvin for balanced homeownership

If you're relocating from higher-cost metros, Garvin County offers modest rents and affordable home values, though income growth opportunities may be limited. Compare the 17.4% rent burden here against Grant County's 16.6% or Greer County's lower 12.4% if maximum affordability is your priority.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Garvin County

via IncomeByCounty

Garvin trails the national median

At $57,127, Garvin County's median household income sits 23.6% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This places the county in the lower-income tier nationally, though comparable to many rural Oklahoma communities facing similar economic headwinds.

Slightly below Oklahoma average

Garvin County earns $57,127 compared to Oklahoma's state average of $58,273, ranking it near the middle of the state's 77 counties. The $1,146 gap is modest, suggesting Garvin's economy aligns closely with statewide trends.

Mid-range within its region

Garvin's $57,127 median income sits between nearby Grant County ($61,824) to the north and Greer County ($60,183) to the southwest. The county earns more than struggling Harmon ($54,286) and Haskell ($49,930) counties, reflecting a modest regional position.

Rents are manageable at 17.4%

Garvin County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% is comfortably below the national affordability threshold of 30%, suggesting housing costs remain reasonable relative to earnings. With a median home value of $132,600, homeownership remains accessible for many households earning at or near the median.

Build financial security now

With median income at $57,127 and housing costs well-managed at 17.4% of income, Garvin County households have room to invest and save. Consider directing 10-15% of household earnings toward retirement accounts, emergency funds, and long-term wealth building to strengthen financial resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Garvin County

via HealthByCounty

Garvin lags behind national health outcomes

At 70.5 years, Garvin County's life expectancy falls 6.3 years short of the U.S. average of 76.8 years. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (22.9%) report poor or fair health, compared to the national rate of 17.2%.

Below Oklahoma's health average

Garvin County residents live 2.2 years less than the state average of 72.7 years. The county's poor/fair health rate exceeds Oklahoma's average, placing it in the lower half of state counties.

Garvin faces steeper health challenges

Garvin County's 70.5-year life expectancy trails nearby Grady County (74.1 years) and Grant County (73.5 years). Its poor/fair health rate of 22.9% is notably higher than Grady's 18.6%, signaling more significant health burdens in Garvin.

Healthcare access remains limited

Garvin County has 35 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below the state average—and 16.3% of residents lack health insurance, topping Oklahoma's 15.3% uninsured rate. Mental health providers are relatively available at 182 per 100K, but gaps in primary care slow early disease prevention.

Explore coverage options today

With 16.3% uninsured, many Garvin County residents qualify for Medicaid or marketplace plans at reduced cost. Contact local health departments or visit Healthcare.gov to find plans and subsidies that fit your family's budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Garvin County

via RiskByCounty

Garvin ranks below the national average

With a composite risk score of 61.70, Garvin County sits in the relatively low risk category—notably safer than the typical U.S. county. However, this score masks significant variation in hazard types, with wildfire and tornado risks both exceeding 85, indicating real threats worth monitoring.

Middle of the pack for Oklahoma

Garvin's score of 61.70 sits above the state average of 55.47, putting it in the upper half of Oklahoma counties. This positioning reflects the state's overall exposure to tornadoes and wildfires, which pose outsized risks across most of Oklahoma.

Riskier than nearby Grant County

Garvin faces significantly higher hazard exposure than its western neighbor Grant County (27.77 score), primarily due to elevated wildfire and tornado risks. Compared to Grady County to the west (75.73), Garvin remains the safer option, though both counties face substantial weather-related threats.

Wildfire and tornado exposure here

Garvin's wildfire risk of 87.21 and tornado risk of 85.08 represent the county's primary natural disaster threats. Flood risk (54.90) and earthquake risk (57.57) pose secondary but manageable concerns for residents and property owners.

Secure coverage for wind and fire

Given Garvin's high tornado and wildfire exposure, homeowners should verify their wind and fire coverage is comprehensive and current. Review your policy limits annually, maintain defensible space around structures, and ensure you're enrolled in early warning systems for severe weather.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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