countyscore
37.9
County Score
Property Tax 66.2Weather & Climate 62Cost of Living 58.5

County Report Card

About Mayes County, Oklahoma

Mayes County sits below national averages

Mayes County earns a composite score of 37.8, placing it significantly below the national median of 50.0. It faces headwinds in several categories including safety and income growth.

Below-average ranking in Oklahoma

With a 37.8 composite score, Mayes County falls short of the Oklahoma state average of 43.0. It ranks as one of the more challenging counties in the state for overall livability.

Affordable housing and manageable tax rates

The county’s strongest features are its Tax Score of 66.5 and Cost Score of 58.4. Median rent is a manageable $846, helping residents keep more of their monthly earnings.

Safety and environmental risk concerns

A Safety Score of 10.4 and a Risk Score of 22.4 represent significant local challenges. These factors, combined with a Health Score of 19.4, suggest a need for broader community investment.

Suited for those prioritizing immediate affordability

Mayes County is a fit for people focused on finding low-cost housing and a reasonable tax burden. It appeals to those who are comfortable navigating a community with limited public safety resources.

2040608010066.258.510.419.437.534.622.439.262Tax66.2Cost58.5Safety10.4Health19.4Schools37.5Income34.6Risk22.4Water39.2Weather6237.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average6 below average

Mayes County DNA

Foverall

How Mayes County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Mayes County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (66.2/100) but notably weak in Safety (10.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
66.2+14.200000000000003
Cost
58.5+10.5
Safety
10.4-44.6
Health
19.4-30.6
Schools
37.5-16.5
Income
34.6-16.4
Risk
22.4-24.6
Water
39.2-18.799999999999997
Weather
62
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$188,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$858/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$188,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $60,305/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

22.8

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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38

Nearby counties

Rogers County
Oklahoma
32.7
Cherokee County
Oklahoma
42.6
Delaware County
Oklahoma
38.4
Wagoner County
Oklahoma
41.3
Craig County
Oklahoma
41.9
Adair County
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44.9
Tulsa County
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38.4
Muskogee County
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30.9

Deep Dives

Mayes County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Mayes County

via TaxByCounty

Mayes County taxes vs. nation

Mayes County's effective rate of 0.671% exceeds the national median of 0.87%, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties for tax burden. Residents pay $1,153 annually in property taxes—43% more than the national median when adjusted for home values.

Above Oklahoma's average rate

Mayes County's 0.671% effective rate exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 0.652%, ranking it among the higher-tax counties in the state. At $1,153 in median annual taxes, residents pay about 20% more than Oklahoma's state median of $959.

Pricier than most neighbors

Mayes County's 0.671% rate significantly exceeds Marshall County (0.590%), Love County (0.636%), and Major County (0.615%), making it one of the region's more expensive options. Only Logan County (0.763%) and McClain County (0.799%) rank higher in the broader area.

What homes cost in taxes

On Mayes County's median home value of $171,900, annual property taxes total approximately $1,153—roughly $96 per month. Including mortgage and insurance, total annual property costs reach about $1,370.

Appeal if you're overassessed

Given Mayes County's higher-than-average rates, it's worth verifying your assessed value against comparable recent sales in your area. If your home appears overvalued, filing a tax appeal could yield substantial annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mayes County

via IncomeByCounty

Mayes lags behind national average

Mayes County's median household income of $57,279 trails the U.S. median by $17,476, a 23% shortfall typical of rural Oklahoma. This income gap reflects the region's economic challenges.

Slightly below Oklahoma median

Mayes ranks just below the state average with household income $994 lower than Oklahoma's $58,273. Per capita income of $30,528 nearly matches the state norm of $30,609, showing aligned earning distributions.

Near the bottom of the region

Mayes's $57,279 median positions it among the lower earners, with only Marshall ($56,495) and McCurtain ($50,175) falling lower. It significantly trails Major ($69,229), Logan ($82,735), and McClain ($84,778).

Highest rent burden in region

Mayes carries the region's highest rent-to-income ratio at 17.7%, indicating tight rental housing affordability. With median home values at $171,900, homeownership requires substantial savings and careful financial management.

Build sustainable financial habits

Mayes residents should establish disciplined budgeting practices to manage higher housing costs relative to income. Explore first-time homebuyer programs, employer retirement matching, and gradual debt reduction to build long-term wealth stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Mayes County

via CrimeByCounty

Mayes County Safety Context

Mayes County earns a safety score of 95.7. Its total crime rate of 2736.2 per 100k is higher than the national average of 2385.5.

Aligned with Oklahoma Crime Trends

The county's safety score is nearly identical to the Oklahoma average of 95.8. Ten reporting agencies manage a crime rate slightly higher than the state average of 2647.7.

Safer than Neighboring McCurtain County

Mayes County has a lower crime rate than McCurtain County's 3199.7. However, it sees more activity than nearby Marshall County's 2233.1.

Property Crime Above National Average

Property crime is the local driver at 2420.9 per 100k, surpassing the national average of 2015.7. Violent crime remains below the national benchmark at 315.3.

Investment in Home Security

Home security systems are a wise investment to protect against the county's property crime rates. Simple improvements to entry point lighting can significantly increase household safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Mayes County

via WeatherByCounty

A Lush and Temperate Environment

Mayes County averages 59.4°F annually, staying warmer than the national median but cooler than southern Oklahoma. It receives a robust 45.1 inches of precipitation each year.

Cooler and Wetter than Average

The county's 59.4°F average temperature is slightly below the Oklahoma average of 60.4°F. However, its 45.1 inches of rain is significantly higher than the 37.2-inch state average.

Outpacing Neighbors in Rainfall

Mayes County is wetter than Logan and McClain, receiving nearly 10 more inches of rain annually. It also experiences fewer extreme heat days than counties to its south and west.

Mild Heat and Moderate Winters

Summer averages stay at 79.0°F with 59 days of extreme heat, which is low for Oklahoma. Winter brings an average temperature of 39.2°F and 6.5 inches of snowfall.

Manage Moisture and Moderate Snow

With 45.1 inches of rain, proper home drainage and gutter maintenance are critical priorities. Residents should also prepare for 6.5 inches of snow during the winter months.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Mayes County

via SoilByCounty

Strong Acidity in Mayes County

Mayes County has an average soil pH of 5.19, making it significantly more acidic than the state average of 6.06 and the national median of 6.5. While specific taxonomic data is limited, this level of acidity is common in areas with high organic decomposition. Many common garden plants may require lime treatments to thrive here.

A Silt-Heavy Foundation

The soil is dominated by 42.9% silt, with a relatively low sand content of 20.9%. The 19.3% clay provides enough structure to hold nutrients, but the high silt fraction can make the soil feel floury when dry and slippery when wet. This composition is excellent for retaining moisture but can be prone to erosion.

Exceptional Organic Wealth

At 6.08%, the organic matter in Mayes County is over three times the state average of 1.72%. This high fertility is complemented by an available water capacity of 0.146 in/in. These numbers suggest a soil that is naturally rich and capable of supporting intense plant growth.

Silty Soil Moisture Dynamics

While specific drainage classes are not listed, the high silt content usually implies moderate drainage with high water retention. These soils can stay moist for long periods, which is beneficial during droughts but may delay spring planting. Careful management is needed to prevent the fine silt particles from washing away.

Acid-Loving Plants in Zone 7a

The acidic, high-organic soil of Mayes County is a dream for blueberries, azaleas, and hydrangeas in zone 7a. Native hardwoods like oaks also appreciate these conditions. With such naturally high fertility, your home garden has a massive head start on productivity.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Mayes County

via LawnByCounty

Mayes County’s Acidic Soil Challenges

Mayes County holds a lawn difficulty score of 45.6, which is right in line with the Oklahoma state average. Operating in Zone 7a, you benefit from lower-than-average heat, but you must tackle significant soil acidity issues. Your lawn's success depends on chemical balancing rather than just water and sun.

Cooler Summers and Heavy Rainfall

Mayes County receives a generous 45.1 inches of rain annually, which is significantly higher than the state average. You also benefit from only 59 extreme heat days, the lowest in this regional group, which protects cool-season grasses from burning out. With 4825 growing degree days, your lawn has a slightly more moderate growth pace than southern counties.

Lime is Essential for Mayes Soil

The soil pH in Mayes County is a very acidic 5.19, well below the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for most turf. This acidity can lock out nutrients, meaning even the best fertilizer won't work without regular applications of lime. While the soil texture is mostly water-associated, you'll need to focus on drainage to handle the county's high annual rainfall.

Severe Drought Requires Vigilance

The county is currently in a difficult position, with 100% of the area classified in severe drought (D2+). Despite a total of only 17 weeks in drought over the last year, the current intensity is high and requires strict water conservation. Prioritize your watering for high-traffic areas and consider letting peripheral turf go dormant to save resources.

Plan Around the Spring Thaw

The frost-free window begins on April 7th and ends on November 2nd, providing a solid season for establishment. Because of the lower heat days, you might find success with Kentucky Bluegrass blends or Fescue in shaded areas, though Bermuda remains the hardiest choice. Always test your soil pH before planting to ensure your lime applications are effective.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mayes County's county score?
Mayes County, Oklahoma has a composite county score of 37.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Mayes County rank among counties in Oklahoma?
Mayes County ranks #59 among all counties in Oklahoma on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Mayes County, Oklahoma?
The median annual property tax in Mayes County is $1,222, with an effective tax rate of 0.65%. This earns Mayes County a tax score of 66.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Mayes County?
The median household income in Mayes County, Oklahoma is $60,305 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Mayes County earns an income score of 34.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Mayes County, Oklahoma a good place to live?
Mayes County scores 37.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #59 in Oklahoma. The best way to evaluate Mayes County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Mayes County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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