CountyScore

Latimer County

Oklahoma · OK

#21 in Oklahoma
71
County Score

County Report Card

About Latimer County, Oklahoma

Latimer County outperforms nationally

Latimer County's composite score of 71.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 42%, placing it in the upper range of U.S. livability. This reflects exceptional tax efficiency and housing affordability paired with reasonable stability metrics.

Above Oklahoma's average performance

Latimer County scores 71.0 versus the Oklahoma state average of 68.4, ranking it among the state's top-performing counties. This solid position reflects strong execution on core livability measures.

Lowest taxes and very affordable housing

Latimer County delivers the best tax score in this group at 87.8 with just a 0.515% effective rate and exceptional housing affordability at $720/month rent and $103,300 median home values. The risk score of 65.4 demonstrates solid economic resilience.

Minimal income potential and health concerns

Latimer County's median household income of $41,048 produces the lowest income score of 10.2, severely limiting opportunities for wage-based income. Health outcomes at 54.6 are also the lowest in this group, signaling public health challenges.

For tax-first, fixed-income households

Latimer County is ideal for retirees and those with stable outside income seeking the absolute lowest tax burden and housing costs. It's the premium choice for people who don't need local employment opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.8Cost87.4SafetyComing SoonHealth54.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome10.2Risk65.4WaterComing Soon
🏛87.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼10.2
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
⚡65.4
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 Latimer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Blount County
Alabama
71
Median income: $61,096
Clarke County
Alabama
71
Median income: $49,167
Dale County
Alabama
71
Median income: $53,955
Boone County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $54,195
Hempstead County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $47,654

Deep Dives

Latimer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Latimer County

via TaxByCounty

Latimer County offers very low national tax rates

Latimer County's effective tax rate of 0.515% ranks exceptionally low against the national median of 0.88%, placing it in the very bottom of American counties for tax burden. The median property tax of $532 annually is just 20% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting Latimer's position as one of the nation's most tax-friendly regions.

Latimer County has lowest effective rate in Oklahoma

Latimer County's 0.515% effective rate is the lowest among these eight counties and ranks among Oklahoma's most favorable, sitting well below the state average of 0.652%. At $532 in median annual taxes versus the state median of $959, Latimer residents enjoy exceptional tax relief.

Most favorable taxes in eastern Oklahoma region

Latimer County's 0.515% rate beats Johnston County (0.555%), Kiowa County (0.573%), and all other nearby counties in the region. For eastern Oklahoma homeowners, Latimer offers the lowest effective property tax rate in the area.

Median annual tax on Latimer County home

The typical Latimer County homeowner with a $103,300 house pays about $532 per year in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $730 annually including escrow, while those without mortgages pay $421.

Appeal your assessment if you think it's high

Many Latimer 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 Latimer County

via CostByCounty

Latimer County faces Oklahoma's worst affordability

Latimer County's 21.1% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this entire comparison and far above Oklahoma's 17.0% state average, signaling a severe housing affordability crisis. With the lowest median household income of $41,048 paired with $720/month rent, Latimer residents experience the region's most strained housing-income relationship.

Latimer ranks as Oklahoma's affordability bottom

Latimer County's 21.1% rent-to-income ratio is the worst among Oklahoma's peer counties and exceeds the state average by 4.1 percentage points, reflecting acute affordability stress. At $720/month rent and $41,048 median income, Latimer demands a larger share of household earnings for shelter than any peer county.

Latimer's income-to-cost crisis vs. peers

Latimer County's $720 rent is moderate, but combined with the second-lowest median income at $41,048, it produces the highest rent-to-income ratio of any county in this group. Even owner costs of $535/month strain budgets, and the $103,300 median home value offers no affordability relief for purchase-ready families.

Latimer's housing consumes critical income

Latimer County renters earning $41,048 annually spend $720/month on rent, allocating 21.1% of gross income to housing—nearly double the recommended 10–12% benchmark. Homeowners paying $535/month still dedicate 15.6% of earnings to mortgages, leaving minimal income for essentials, savings, and emergency expenses.

Latimer County: only for supported relocations

Latimer County's housing crisis makes it viable only for retirees with pensions, workers with significant non-wage income, or those receiving housing assistance. If you're relocating for work, seriously consider Jefferson, Jackson, or Johnston County, where housing consumes 12–17% of income instead of Latimer's unsustainable 21%.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Latimer County

via IncomeByCounty

Latimer County faces profound income challenges

Latimer County's median household income of $41,048 is 45% below the U.S. median of $74,755, representing one of the lowest income levels in rural America. This gap reflects deeply rooted economic challenges and limited employment opportunities.

Latimer County ranks lowest among Oklahoma counties

Latimer County's median household income of $41,048 is $17,225 below the Oklahoma state average of $58,273, placing it among the lowest-earning counties statewide. The per capita income of $24,934 trails the state average of $30,609 by nearly 19%.

Latimer County faces the region's most severe income crisis

Latimer County households earn only $1,015 more than Kiowa County ($42,063) but $7,863 less than Jefferson County ($48,750) and $9,863 less than Johnston County ($50,911). The county struggles with the lowest or near-lowest median income in all surrounding areas.

Housing costs create severe financial strain

Latimer County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% is the highest among all comparison counties, indicating housing costs consume more than one-fifth of already-limited household income. The median home value of $103,300 strains budgets further, leaving minimal resources for basic needs.

Access support services and build financial groundwork

Latimer County residents should prioritize connecting with financial assistance programs, nonprofit counseling services, and community resources to establish financial stability. Starting with small emergency savings and exploring low-cost banking options can create a foundation for future wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Latimer County

via HealthByCounty

Latimer County's life expectancy near national average

At 73.2 years, Latimer County's life expectancy matches the U.S. average of 71.4 years, giving residents a slight longevity advantage. However, 27.4% report poor or fair health—the highest rate in this dataset and well above the national 27.2% figure.

Life expectancy strong, but health perceptions lag

Latimer County's 73.2-year life expectancy exceeds Oklahoma's 72.7-year average, a positive sign for longevity. Yet the 27.4% poor/fair health rate—the worst in this region—suggests residents face significant daily health challenges despite their longer expected lifespans.

Mixed health picture amid regional peers

Latimer County matches Jackson County's life expectancy (73.0 years) but has substantially higher poor/fair health reporting (27.4% vs. 22.0%), indicating a more stressed population. Primary care access is limited at 21 per 100,000, though mental health providers are abundant at 714 per 100,000.

Mental health strength contrasts with primary care scarcity

Latimer County's 714 mental health providers per 100,000 is exceptional and suggests strong behavioral health support, critical given the high poor/fair health reports. Yet only 21 primary care providers per 100,000 create gaps in routine medical care, and the 14.4% uninsured rate leaves some residents without preventive coverage.

Get covered and access preventive care

With the highest poor/fair health rate in the region, Latimer County residents should prioritize health coverage and preventive care. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find plans that support routine visits and catch health problems early.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Latimer County

via RiskByCounty

Latimer County has very low risk

Latimer County's composite risk score of 34.64 ranks as very low—well below the national average and substantially under Oklahoma's state average of 55.47. This low-risk profile reflects moderate to low exposure across most natural hazard categories.

Among Oklahoma's safer counties

At 34.64, Latimer County ranks among the lower-risk counties statewide, with a score less than two-thirds the state average of 55.47. The county holds a favorable position in Oklahoma's natural disaster risk landscape.

Lower risk than most surrounding areas

Latimer County's score of 34.64 is comparable to Kiowa County (35.78) and substantially lower than Le Flore County (82.70) to the southeast. The county benefits from relatively lower hazard exposure within its region.

Wildfire dominates hazard exposure

Wildfire risk reaches an exceptional 92.62—one of Oklahoma's highest—making it the county's defining hazard, while tornado (52.39) and flood risks (40.59) are moderate. The wildfire score stands out sharply against the county's otherwise low overall risk profile.

Prioritize wildfire coverage

Latimer County residents, particularly those in or near forested areas, should verify their homeowners policies include wildfire damage protection or explore separate wildfire insurance. Standard tornado and wind coverage should also be confirmed to address secondary hazards.

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.