CountyScore

Jefferson County

Oklahoma · OK

#9 in Oklahoma
72.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Jefferson County, Oklahoma

Jefferson County leads nationally

Jefferson County's composite score of 72.7 stands 45% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. livability. This strong performance reflects exceptional affordability paired with measured tax and financial stewardship.

Top performer across Oklahoma

Jefferson County ranks above the Oklahoma state average of 68.4 with a score of 72.7, positioning it among the state's most livable counties. This places it firmly in Oklahoma's livability leadership.

Unbeatable affordability and tax rates

Jefferson County shines with the lowest median rent in this cohort at just $588/month and median home values of $77,500, earning a cost score of 90.4. A low tax rate of 0.661% (tax score: 83.7) and a stellar risk score of 79.1 demonstrate strong financial stability.

Limited income and health outcomes

Jefferson County's median household income of $48,750 produces an income score of just 15.2, the lowest in this group, indicating significant wage limitations. Health outcomes also lag at 55.0, suggesting room for improvement in public health infrastructure.

For retirees and remote workers

Jefferson County is ideal for people with stable, independent income sources—remote workers, retirees, or those relocating from high-cost areas. The exceptional affordability and low taxes make it a haven for those not dependent on local wages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.7Cost90.4SafetyComing SoonHealth55SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.2Risk79.1WaterComing Soon
🏛83.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡79.1
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 Jefferson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marion County
Alabama
72.7
Median income: $50,714
Polk County
Arkansas
72.7
Median income: $49,252
Yuma County
Colorado
72.7
Median income: $60,051
Schley County
Georgia
72.7
Median income: $59,647
Wheeler County
Georgia
72.7
Median income: $45,262

Deep Dives

Jefferson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jefferson County

via TaxByCounty

Jefferson County taxes rank among lowest nationally

Jefferson County's effective tax rate of 0.661% is well below the national median of 0.88%, positioning it in the bottom quarter of American counties. With a median property tax of just $512 annually—less than 19% of the national median of $2,690—Jefferson residents enjoy some of the nation's most affordable property taxation.

Among Oklahoma's higher-tax counties by rate

Jefferson County's 0.661% effective rate sits slightly above Oklahoma's state average of 0.652%, making it a moderate-tax county within the state. However, the median tax bill of $512 is well below the state median of $959 because homes here are substantially smaller and less valuable than the statewide average.

Higher rate than surrounding rural counties

Jefferson County's 0.661% effective rate edges above Kiowa County (0.573%) and Latimer County (0.515%) to the east, but remains comparable to Le Flore County (0.653%). Among rural southern Oklahoma counties, Jefferson sits in the middle range for tax burden.

Median annual tax on Jefferson County home

The typical Jefferson County homeowner with a $77,500 house pays about $512 per year in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $745 annually including escrow, while those without mortgages pay $382.

Appeal your assessment if you think it's high

Many Jefferson County homeowners are assessed above market value and don't realize they can appeal. If your property feels overvalued, contact the county assessor's office about a formal reassessment—thousands of Oklahomans successfully reduce their tax burden this way each year.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jefferson County

via CostByCounty

Jefferson County offers rare rental affordability

Jefferson County's 14.5% rent-to-income ratio is significantly below the national average and Oklahoma's state average of 17.0%, making it one of the most affordable rental markets in the region. Despite a median household income of $48,750—well below the national median of $74,755—residents pay just $588/month in median rent.

Oklahoma's most affordable rental county

Jefferson County ranks among Oklahoma's best for housing affordability, with a 14.5% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average by 2.5 percentage points. At $588/month, median rent is $226 below the state average, the lowest in this county comparison.

Jefferson undercuts surrounding housing markets

Jefferson County's $588 median rent is substantially cheaper than Jackson County ($865) and Le Flore County ($773), though owner costs reflect the same affordability pattern. The $77,500 median home value is the lowest among peer counties, making Jefferson ideal for budget-conscious renters and first-time buyers.

Jefferson's lean housing-to-income ratio

With median income at $48,750 and rent at just $588/month, renters dedicate only 14.5% of earnings to housing. Homeowners pay $504/month on mortgages, meaning owner-occupants spend roughly 12.5% of income on housing costs—exceptional affordability by any measure.

Jefferson County: Oklahoma's affordability leader

If stretching your dollars matters most, Jefferson County delivers the lowest rent and home values in this region while keeping housing below 15% of income. This county rewards low-income workers, retirees, and anyone prioritizing maximum affordability over urban amenities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jefferson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jefferson County lags significantly behind national averages

Jefferson County's median household income of $48,750 falls 35% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the lower-income counties nationwide. This gap reflects economic challenges common to rural southeastern Oklahoma communities.

Jefferson County ranks among Oklahoma's lowest earners

At $48,750, Jefferson County's median household income falls nearly $10,000 below the Oklahoma state average of $58,273. The county's per capita income of $30,984 sits just slightly above the state average, indicating concentrated lower household earnings.

Jefferson County faces income pressures in its region

Jefferson County households earn $10,746 less annually than neighboring Jackson County ($61,497) and $2,161 less than Johnston County ($50,911). Only Kiowa ($42,063) and Latimer ($41,048) counties show lower median incomes in the surrounding area.

Housing affordability provides a bright spot

Jefferson County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.5% is among the most favorable in the state, well below the 30% affordability standard. The median home value of $77,500 is highly accessible, though lower overall income limits savings capacity for other needs.

Maximize limited resources through strategic planning

Jefferson County residents can leverage affordable housing costs to build savings despite lower median incomes. Explore low-cost investment options, employer retirement plans, and financial counseling services to create wealth-building pathways suited to the local economy.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jefferson County

via HealthByCounty

Jefferson County faces significant health disparities

Life expectancy in Jefferson County stands at 71.5 years, nearly a full year below the U.S. average of 71.4 years. Nearly one in four residents (24.8%) report poor or fair health, significantly higher than the national rate of 27.2%.

County struggles among Oklahoma's health rankings

Jefferson County's 71.5-year life expectancy falls below Oklahoma's 72.7-year average, placing it in the lower third of the state's counties. The 24.8% poor/fair health rate underscores ongoing challenges in community health.

Neighboring counties show better health outcomes

Jackson County residents live about 1.5 years longer than Jefferson County residents, and Kay County also outpaces Jefferson on life expectancy metrics. The disparity in primary care access is stark: Jefferson has only 18 providers per 100,000 compared to Jackson's 73.

Limited provider access creates care barriers

Jefferson County's 18 primary care providers per 100,000 represents a significant shortage—fewer than one-quarter of Jackson County's supply. Data on mental health providers is limited, but the combination of low provider availability and high uninsured rates creates real obstacles to care access.

Finding coverage is the first step

With a 15.0% uninsured rate, many Jefferson County residents qualify for Medicaid or marketplace subsidies they may not know about. Reach out to 1-800-318-2596 or a local health department to discuss your options—coverage opens doors to preventive and emergency care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jefferson County

via RiskByCounty

Jefferson County has very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of just 20.90, Jefferson County ranks as very low—substantially below both the national average and Oklahoma's state average of 55.47. This favorable risk profile reflects relatively lower exposure across most major natural hazard categories.

Among Oklahoma's safest counties

Jefferson County's score of 20.90 places it among the lowest-risk counties statewide, well below the state average of 55.47. This makes it one of the more resilient areas in Oklahoma from a natural disaster perspective.

Lower risk than nearby counties

Jefferson County's risk score of 20.90 is substantially lower than Jackson County (86.04) to the north and comparable to Johnston County (25.38) nearby. The county enjoys a notably safer natural disaster profile than most surrounding areas.

Wildfire is the primary hazard

Wildfire risk reaches 78.24—the county's highest hazard exposure—though tornado risk (54.29) and hurricane risk (32.71) remain moderate. Overall, hazard exposure in Jefferson County is manageable compared to state and national averages.

Standard coverage likely sufficient

A basic homeowners policy covering wind and hail damage provides solid protection in Jefferson County's lower-risk environment. However, residents in wildland-urban interfaces should still consult an agent about wildfire mitigation and coverage options.

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.