Harper County scores 70.6 on the CountyScore composite index, clearly exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the top 40% of all U.S. counties for overall livability.
2 / 5
Outperforms Oklahoma's state average
At 70.6, Harper County ranks above Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, placing it among the state's solid performers. The county holds a competitive position in the middle-upper tier of Oklahoma communities.
3 / 5
Strong health infrastructure and balanced costs
Harper County's health score of 61.3 is among the highest in this group, supported by solid cost (84.0) and tax (83.5) scores. The county offers reasonable housing at $99,300 median value with a balanced lifestyle.
4 / 5
Limited income growth and moderate hazard exposure
Income score of 22.0 and median household income of $59,191 reflect limited high-wage employment. Risk score of 54.3 indicates moderate exposure to natural hazards.
5 / 5
Sweet spot for health-conscious families
Harper County suits families prioritizing healthcare access and balanced living costs in a rural Oklahoma setting. If you want solid health services, reasonable affordability, and stable community life without extreme isolation or high costs, this county offers strong overall value.
Harper County scores 70.6 on the CountyScore composite index, clearly exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the top 40% of all U.S. counties for overall livability.
Outperforms Oklahoma's state average
At 70.6, Harper County ranks above Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, placing it among the state's solid performers. The county holds a competitive position in the middle-upper tier of Oklahoma communities.
Strong health infrastructure and balanced costs
Harper County's health score of 61.3 is among the highest in this group, supported by solid cost (84.0) and tax (83.5) scores. The county offers reasonable housing at $99,300 median value with a balanced lifestyle.
Limited income growth and moderate hazard exposure
Income score of 22.0 and median household income of $59,191 reflect limited high-wage employment. Risk score of 54.3 indicates moderate exposure to natural hazards.
Sweet spot for health-conscious families
Harper County suits families prioritizing healthcare access and balanced living costs in a rural Oklahoma setting. If you want solid health services, reasonable affordability, and stable community life without extreme isolation or high costs, this county offers strong overall value.
Score breakdown
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🏛83.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Harper County's effective tax rate of 0.668% remains substantially lower than national averages, with a median property tax of $663. This is less than a quarter of the national median tax of $2,690, ranking Harper among the nation's lowest-tax counties.
Slightly above Oklahoma's state average
Harper County's 0.668% rate edges above Oklahoma's 0.652% state average, though its median tax of $663 is below the state median of $959. The county maintains a modest tax burden relative to statewide comparisons.
Mid-range rate in this cluster
Harper's 0.668% rate ranks third among its peers, behind Grady (0.703%) and Harmon (0.698%), but above Garvin (0.566%), Grant (0.604%), and Greer (0.570%). The median home value of $99,300 keeps tax bills moderate.
Median tax bill reaches $663 annually
A median Harper County home valued at $99,300 carries an estimated annual property tax of $663—or $834 when mortgage taxes are included. That's approximately $55 per month in taxes for homeowners with typical properties.
Review your assessment for accuracy
Many Oklahoma homeowners discover their properties are overassessed after comparing assessments to recent sales prices. Harper County residents should verify their assessed value and consider filing an appeal if it appears inflated.
Harper County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% sits just below the national average of 17.0%, providing slight affordability advantages for renters. The median household income of $59,191 trails the national median of $74,755 by roughly $15,500, limiting overall economic capacity despite manageable rent burdens.
Slightly above Oklahoma average burden
Harper County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio runs slightly below Oklahoma's state average of 17.0%, though its median rent of $791 closely tracks the state average of $814. The county occupies the middle ground of Oklahoma's affordability spectrum.
Average costs across the region
Harper County's $791 median rent falls squarely between Greer County's $624 and Grant County's $856, while its $59,191 income represents the regional middle tier. The county offers a balanced, unremarkable affordability profile compared to its neighbors.
Renters pay slightly more than owners
Harper County renters allocate $791 monthly (16.0% of their $59,191 income) to housing, while homeowners spend $671 monthly (13.6%) on median-priced homes of $99,300. The modest ownership advantage suggests that buying, if feasible, improves long-term affordability.
Harper offers solid, unremarkable value
Harper County doesn't stand out as a bargain destination, but it provides reasonable rental and ownership options for those seeking stability over exceptional savings. Compare this county against lower-rent alternatives like Greer or Harmon if maximum affordability matters; consider it versus higher-income areas like Grady if wage growth is a priority.
Harper County's median household income of $59,191 sits 20.8% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This gap is typical for rural Oklahoma counties competing in a national economy increasingly driven by service and knowledge-based industries.
Near Oklahoma state average
At $59,191, Harper County slightly exceeds Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by just $918. The county performs at the state baseline, neither notably stronger nor weaker than typical Oklahoma economies.
Mid-range county performer
Harper County's $59,191 ranks between stronger performers like Grant ($61,824) and Greer ($60,183) and lower-earning counties like Garvin ($57,127) and Harmon ($54,286). The county represents a typical rural Oklahoma income profile.
Housing costs remain reasonable
Harper County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% is below the 30% affordability benchmark, and median home value of $99,300 is accessible to median-earning households. Housing remains a manageable expense relative to income.
Moderate income supports steady growth
With income at $59,191 and controlled housing costs at 16% of income, Harper County households have modest room to save and invest. Prioritize building a 6-month emergency fund, then gradually increase retirement contributions and explore real estate equity building.
Harper County boasts the highest life expectancy in this group at 78.2 years—1.4 years above the U.S. average of 76.8 years. Its 20.4% poor/fair health rate slightly exceeds the national benchmark, indicating room for improvement despite strong longevity.
Oklahoma's standout longevity leader
Harper County's 78.2-year life expectancy exceeds Oklahoma's state average by 5.5 years, positioning it as the healthiest county in this group. This remarkable outcome reflects both strong health behaviors and effective healthcare engagement.
Harper leads the region by far
Harper County's 78.2-year life expectancy towers above all peers, outpacing the next-best (Grady at 74.1 years) by over 4 years. This exceptional result makes Harper a regional model for health outcomes.
Strong outcomes despite insurance gaps
Data on primary care providers is unavailable for Harper County, limiting assessment of provider infrastructure. However, 18.4% of residents lack health insurance—the highest uninsured rate in this group—which may undermine the county's health gains.
Protect Harper's health legacy
Harper County's exceptional life expectancy depends on sustained healthcare access; yet 18.4% of residents are uninsured. Enroll in Oklahoma's marketplace or Medicaid to maintain preventive care and secure the insurance safety net that supports the county's outstanding health record.
Harper County's composite risk score of 45.67 places it in the relatively low category, sitting modestly below the national average. However, wildfire risk of 81.93 significantly exceeds national norms, requiring focused preparedness.
Harper safer than Oklahoma average
At 45.67, Harper's score sits below the state average of 55.47, making it one of Oklahoma's comparatively safer counties. The low tornado risk (30.57) and minimal flood exposure (6.81) distinguish it from the state's broader hazard profile.
Harper less risky than panhandle peers
Harper's 45.67 score sits between Grant County's safety (27.77) and Grady's higher exposure (75.73), positioning it as a moderate-risk option in northwestern Oklahoma. However, wildfire threat exceeds most neighboring counties.
Wildfire dominates the risk profile
Harper's wildfire risk of 81.93 stands as its overwhelmingly dominant hazard, while tornado (30.57), flood (6.81), and earthquake (16.51) remain minimal. Hurricane exposure (28.66) adds a distant but manageable secondary concern.
Wildfire coverage is essential here
Homeowners should ensure fire insurance coverage is comprehensive and verify property fire resilience given Harper's substantial wildfire exposure. Create and maintain defensible space, keep gutters clear, and establish emergency plans focused on evacuation readiness.