Lincoln County

Oklahoma · OK

#36 in Oklahoma
69
County Score

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, Oklahoma

Lincoln outpaces the nation

Lincoln County's composite score of 69.0 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. This county is demonstrably more livable than the typical U.S. county across the measured dimensions.

Slightly above Oklahoma's midline

Lincoln ranks slightly above Oklahoma's state average composite score of 68.4. Among all Oklahoma counties, it performs competitively, indicating solid livability for the state's standards.

Tax and cost are major wins

Lincoln excels in tax burden and affordability, scoring 87.2 on taxes (an effective rate of just 0.535%) and 84.2 on cost of living. Median home values of $152,000 and rents of $760/month make this county particularly attractive to budget-conscious households.

Income and risk need attention

Income represents the county's weakest dimension at 22.2, with a median household income of $59,425 trailing state potential. Risk management scores 28.7, suggesting economic vulnerability that residents should consider carefully.

Best for fiscally conservative retirees

Lincoln County suits individuals and couples prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over robust employment prospects. It's an ideal refuge for retirees or remote workers seeking cost stability and community stability on a modest fixed income.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.2Cost84.2SafetyComing SoonHealth59.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.2Risk28.7WaterComing Soon
🏛87.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠84.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼22.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
59.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
28.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lincoln County

via TaxByCounty

Lincoln County's tax burden vs. nation

At 0.535%, Lincoln County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.87%, placing it in the lower third of U.S. counties. The typical Lincoln County homeowner pays $813 annually in property taxes—less than a third of the national median of $2,690—thanks to both a lower rate and lower home values.

Among Oklahoma's 77 counties

Lincoln County ranks in the middle for property taxes within Oklahoma, with an effective rate of 0.535% slightly below the state average of 0.652%. At $813 in median annual taxes, Lincoln falls below Oklahoma's state median of $959, offering homeowners a moderate tax environment.

How Lincoln stacks up regionally

Lincoln County's 0.535% rate is more affordable than nearby Love County (0.636%) and Mayes County (0.671%), but higher than McCurtain County's exceptional 0.401%. Among its peers, Lincoln offers middle-ground property tax relief for a median-valued home.

What a typical home costs in taxes

On Lincoln County's median home value of $152,000, you'll pay about $813 annually in property taxes—or roughly $68 per month. With a mortgage, insurance and escrow typically add another $289, bringing total annual property costs to $1,102.

You might be paying too much

Many Oklahoma homeowners are overassessed relative to market values; Lincoln County property owners should verify their assessments match recent sales in their area. If your assessed value seems high, a tax appeal could reduce your annual bill—a process worth exploring every few years as property values shift.

Cost of Living in Lincoln County

via CostByCounty

Lincoln renters spend less than most Americans

At 15.3%, Lincoln County's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the national average of 30%, meaning renters here dedicate a smaller share of their earnings to housing. The median household income of $59,425 is also within reach of most working families, though it trails the national median by $15,330.

More affordable than most Oklahoma counties

Lincoln County ranks favorably within Oklahoma, where the state average rent-to-income ratio is 17.0%—Lincoln's 15.3% beats that mark. Renters here pay $760 monthly, $54 less than the state median of $814.

Among the cheaper options in the region

Lincoln's $760 rent is competitive with nearby Major County ($619) but lower than Love County ($903) and significantly cheaper than McClain County ($964). The median home value of $152,000 positions Lincoln as an affordable ownership option compared to its higher-value neighbors.

Balanced costs across tenure types

Renters spend $760 monthly while homeowners pay $700 for mortgage and taxes, creating roughly equal housing burden at 15.3% for renters and 14.1% for owners. With median income at $59,425, housing costs remain manageable for both renter and owner households.

Consider Lincoln for rural affordability

If you're relocating from a higher-cost metro area, Lincoln County offers stable housing costs without sacrifice—rents and home values stay reasonable while income stretches further. Compare it to nearby Major County for rent or McClain County if you're house-hunting near the Oklahoma City region.

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lincoln trails the national norm

Lincoln County's median household income of $59,425 falls nearly $15,000 below the U.S. median of $74,755. This 20% income gap reflects broader rural economic patterns across Oklahoma's smaller counties.

Slightly above Oklahoma's middle

Lincoln ranks in the upper half of Oklahoma counties with a median income $1,152 above the state average of $58,273. The county's per capita income of $31,303 edges past the state's $30,609, showing relatively balanced earning power.

Stronger than nearby rural peers

Lincoln's $59,425 median outpaces Marshall County ($56,495) and McCurtain County ($50,175), though it trails Logan County's robust $82,735. Among comparable regional counties, Lincoln holds solid middle ground.

Rent remains manageable here

At 15.3%, Lincoln's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters keep spending in check. With a median home value of $152,000 relative to household income, homeownership remains accessible.

Build financial stability now

Lincoln residents have breathing room to save and invest given the affordable housing landscape. Consider directing surplus income toward retirement accounts, emergency funds, or wealth-building opportunities that compound over time.

Health in Lincoln County

via HealthByCounty

Lincoln County lives slightly longer than America

At 74.2 years, Lincoln County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 73.5 years, a modest but meaningful edge. Yet 21.5% of residents report poor or fair health, slightly above the national rate of 19%, suggesting daily health challenges persist despite longevity gains.

A healthier county in Oklahoma

Lincoln County ranks above Oklahoma's state average with a 74.2-year life expectancy versus the state's 72.7 years. This 1.5-year advantage positions the county among Oklahoma's stronger health performers, though uninsured rates remain nearly identical at 15.5% versus 15.3% statewide.

Lincoln outpaces most regional peers

Lincoln County's 74.2-year life expectancy edges competitors like Major County (74.1 years) and Marshall County (73.3 years), though Logan County significantly leads the region at 77.9 years. Primary care access is robust here at 24 per 100,000, double Love County's sparse 4-provider rate.

Finding doctors isn't the daily bottleneck

With 24 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Lincoln County has reasonable day-to-day access to routine care. The real barrier for many is insurance: 15.5% of residents remain uninsured, meaning routine checkups and preventive visits often go delayed or avoided.

Coverage options exist for Lincoln residents

If you're among the 15.5% uninsured, now's the time to explore marketplace plans or Medicaid eligibility at healthcare.gov or through Oklahoma's Medicaid program. Even basic coverage dramatically improves your odds of catching health problems early and affording treatment.

Disaster Risk in Lincoln County

via RiskByCounty

Lincoln County's risk ranks above average

With a composite risk score of 71.31, Lincoln County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical U.S. county. This "Relatively Low" rating reflects exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly wildfire and tornado activity that exceed national norms.

Well above Oklahoma's average risk

Lincoln County's 71.31 score significantly exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, placing it among the higher-risk counties in the state. The county's wildfire and tornado risks are the primary drivers of this above-average exposure.

Riskier than most nearby counties

Lincoln County faces substantially higher risks than neighboring Major County (34.19) and Love County (21.12), but comparable exposure to Logan County (74.68). The difference is most dramatic in wildfire risk, where Lincoln County scores 92.81 versus Major County's 66.09.

Wildfire and tornado dominate here

Wildfire risk scores 92.81—among the highest in the state—followed by tornado risk at 88.64, creating a potent two-part threat. Flood and earthquake risks remain moderate, with scores of 50.45 and 50.13 respectively.

Strengthen insurance for fire and wind

Homeowners should prioritize comprehensive coverage for wildfire damage and ensure wind/tornado protection is included in their policies. Consider reviewing whether your current coverage limits reflect the cost to rebuild, especially given the county's elevated fire risk.

ByCounty Network

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