CountyScore

Johnston County

Oklahoma · OK

#14 in Oklahoma
72.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Johnston County, Oklahoma

Johnston County well above average

Johnston County's composite score of 72.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 44%, positioning it among the more livable counties nationwide. This reflects strong tax efficiency and housing affordability combined with solid fiscal resilience.

Top tier in Oklahoma standings

Johnston County's score of 72.1 outpaces the Oklahoma average of 68.4, ranking it among the state's highest-performing counties. This solid performance places it ahead of most Oklahoma communities in overall livability.

Tax efficiency and affordable housing

Johnston County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.555% (tax score: 86.7) and strong housing affordability with $732/month rent and $110,700 median home values. The county also earns a robust risk score of 74.6, indicating solid economic stability.

Modest incomes and health gaps

Johnston County's median household income of $50,911 translates to an income score of just 16.6, indicating limited local wage opportunities. Health outcomes at 54.7 also suggest space to strengthen community health systems.

For cost-conscious stability seekers

Johnston County appeals to people valuing tax breaks and affordable housing over high local incomes, including retirees and those with portable income. It's a fiscally sound choice for budget-first living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.7Cost87.5SafetyComing SoonHealth54.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.6Risk74.6WaterComing Soon
🏛86.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡74.6
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 Johnston County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Geneva County
Alabama
72.1
Median income: $50,951
Winston County
Alabama
72.1
Median income: $48,032
Stone County
Arkansas
72.1
Median income: $38,531
Montezuma County
Colorado
72.1
Median income: $63,005
Rio Grande County
Colorado
72.1
Median income: $62,166

Deep Dives

Johnston County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Johnston County

via TaxByCounty

Johnston County offers below-average national tax rates

Johnston County's effective tax rate of 0.555% ranks well below the national median of 0.88%, placing it in the lowest quarter of American counties. The median property tax of $614 annually is just 23% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting smaller home values throughout the region.

Johnston County has Oklahoma's lowest tax rates

Johnston County's 0.555% effective rate is the lowest among major Oklahoma counties, sitting notably below the state average of 0.652%. At $614 in median annual taxes versus the state median of $959, Johnston residents enjoy the most tax-friendly environment in Oklahoma.

Lowest taxes among south-central Oklahoma counties

Johnston County's 0.555% rate beats Latimer County (0.515%) and is substantially lower than Kiowa County (0.573%) and Le Flore County (0.653%). Throughout the south-central region, Johnston offers taxpayers the advantage of the lowest effective tax rates.

Median annual tax on Johnston County home

The typical Johnston County homeowner with a $110,700 house pays about $614 per year in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $856 annually including escrow, while those without mortgages pay $497.

Appeal your assessment if you think it's high

Many Johnston 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 Johnston County

via CostByCounty

Johnston County slightly above national norms

Johnston County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio edges above Oklahoma's state average of 17.0% and sits close to national affordability benchmarks. With a median household income of $50,911 below the national median of $74,755, residents pay $732/month in rent, a moderate burden for the region.

Johnston ranks just above state average

Johnston County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio is marginally higher than Oklahoma's 17.0% state average, positioning it in the middle tier of county affordability. Median rent of $732/month is $82 above the state average, reflecting slightly tighter housing-income ratios than the state as a whole.

Johnston's costs between affordable and moderate

Johnston County's $732 rent falls between Jefferson County's rock-bottom $588 and Jackson County's $865, placing it as a middle option in the region. Owner costs of $517/month and a $110,700 median home value offer balanced options for both renters and buyers.

Johnston housing: rent vs. ownership trade-offs

Renters in Johnston County allocate 17.3% of their $50,911 income to $732/month rent, while homeowners spend $517/month—roughly 12.2% of income. Together, housing options consume 12–17% of household budgets, leaving families flexibility for savings and other needs.

Johnston County balances cost and opportunity

Johnston County offers moderate rent at $732/month and manageable ownership costs, appealing to families earning around $51,000 annually. If you want better affordability than national averages without sacrificing Oklahoma's overall low cost of living, Johnston delivers a solid middle ground.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Johnston County

via IncomeByCounty

Johnston County earnings fall below U.S. average

Johnston County's median household income of $50,911 is 32% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting economic conditions typical of rural Oklahoma counties. The gap indicates fewer high-wage employment opportunities compared to national trends.

Johnston County ranks in lower third of Oklahoma

With a median household income of $50,911, Johnston County trails the Oklahoma state average of $58,273 by nearly $7,400. The county's per capita income of $25,352 falls significantly below the state average of $30,609, indicating lower individual earnings.

Johnston County slightly outearns its poorest neighbors

Johnston County households earn $10,586 more than Jefferson County ($48,750) but $9,706 less than Jackson County ($61,497). Only Kiowa and Latimer counties report lower median incomes, making Johnston a mid-range earner in the south-central Oklahoma region.

Housing costs consume significant household income

Johnston County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.3% indicates housing costs are manageable but notably higher than several neighboring counties. The median home value of $110,700 is affordable for median earners, though limited discretionary income constrains broader financial security.

Build financial resilience through small steps

Johnston County residents can prioritize emergency savings and low-cost retirement contributions despite modest median incomes. Even small regular investments and employer benefits accumulate over time, creating financial protection and long-term wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Johnston County

via HealthByCounty

Johnston County's health outcomes lag nationally

At 71.3 years, Johnston County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 71.4 years by a slight margin. However, 26.1% of residents report poor or fair health—well above the national figure of 27.2%—indicating persistent health challenges.

Among Oklahoma's counties with lower health ranks

Johnston County's 71.3-year life expectancy falls below the state average of 72.7 years, placing it in the lower half of Oklahoma's county health rankings. The 26.1% poor/fair health rate is among the highest statewide.

Nearby counties show stronger health profiles

Jackson County's residents live roughly 1.7 years longer than Johnston County residents, and Kay County also outperforms Johnston on life expectancy. Johnston County does have exceptional mental health provider capacity (891 per 100,000), but primary care access remains limited at 29 per 100,000.

Strong mental health access contrasts with primary care gaps

Johnston County offers rare strength in mental health infrastructure with 891 providers per 100,000—the highest in this region—suggesting strong behavioral health support. Yet only 29 primary care providers per 100,000 limits access to routine medical care, and a 13.9% uninsured rate means many miss preventive services.

Take advantage of coverage programs available

Johnston County residents with low incomes may qualify for Medicaid, particularly given Oklahoma's eligibility criteria. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit your local clinic to apply—coverage bridges gaps to the primary care this county needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Johnston County

via RiskByCounty

Johnston County enjoys very low risk

Johnston County's composite risk score of 25.38 ranks as very low—significantly below the national average and well under Oklahoma's state average of 55.47. This low-risk profile reflects moderate exposure across multiple natural hazard categories.

Well below Oklahoma's average risk

At 25.38, Johnston County ranks among the safer counties statewide, with a score less than half the state average of 55.47. The county benefits from a relatively favorable natural disaster risk position within Oklahoma.

Similar risk to neighboring counties

Johnston County's score of 25.38 is comparable to nearby Jefferson County (20.90) and substantially lower than Jackson County (86.04) to the north. The county sits in one of Oklahoma's lower-risk zones regionally.

Wildfire and tornado concerns

Wildfire risk stands at 82.16—the county's highest exposure—while tornado risk (59.13) and flood risk (19.05) are moderate. Despite wildfire's elevated score, the county's overall composite risk remains low compared to statewide patterns.

Basic homeowners coverage recommended

Standard homeowners insurance covering wind damage provides adequate protection for most Johnston County properties. Residents in high-wildfire-risk areas should verify their policy includes wildfire coverage or explore supplemental 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.