Mayes County

Oklahoma · OK

#55 in Oklahoma
66.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Mayes County, Oklahoma

Mayes scores above national median

Mayes County's composite score of 66.1 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 32%, placing it in the 66th percentile nationally. It demonstrates solid, mid-range livability performance.

Slightly below Oklahoma's benchmark

Mayes's score of 66.1 trails Oklahoma's state average of 68.4 by 2.3 points, representing a slightly lower-performing county within the state context.

Tax burden and cost very competitive

Mayes excels with a tax score of 83.4 (0.671% effective rate) and cost score of 82.0, offering median home values of $171,900 and rents of $846/month. These dimensions make the county highly attractive to budget-conscious residents.

Income and risk both limited

Income scores only 20.8 against a median household income of $57,279, indicating constrained employment opportunities. Risk management at 22.4 suggests economic vulnerability that may concern long-term planners.

Best for rural seekers on tight budgets

Mayes County attracts remote workers, retirees, and self-employed individuals prioritizing low living costs and modest tax burdens. It's an excellent choice for those seeking small-town character without economic ambition requirements.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.4Cost82SafetyComing SoonHealth57.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.8Risk22.4WaterComing Soon
🏛83.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠82
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼20.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
57.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
22.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Mayes County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Cost of Living in Mayes County

via CostByCounty

Mayes renters strain against housing costs

At 17.7%, Mayes County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national affordability threshold of 30% as a share of household earnings (though normalized differently), signaling housing stress. The median income of $57,279 falls well below the national median of $74,755, creating dual pressure on renters.

Among Oklahoma's most challenged renters

Mayes County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% ranks above Oklahoma's 17.0% state average, making it one of the state's more strained housing markets. Rent at $846 modestly exceeds the state median of $814, adding to renters' burden.

Higher rents, lower incomes than peers

Mayes County's rent of $846 rivals Major County ($619) and Love County ($903) while its median income of $57,279 ranks among the lowest in the region. This combination—higher-than-average rent and lower-than-average income—creates the tightest squeeze among nearby counties.

Renters bear significantly more burden

Renters spend 17.7% of income on housing ($846), nearly double the 12.8% homeowners dedicate to mortgage ($734). The $112 monthly gap represents real strain for households earning just $57,279 annually.

Mayes County favors homeownership strongly

If relocating to Mayes County, homeownership is strongly preferable to renting—the median home value of $171,900 offers substantial long-term value despite higher upfront costs. Renters facing tight budgets should compare to Major County, where rents run $227 cheaper monthly.

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.

Health in Mayes County

via HealthByCounty

Mayes County underperforms national health benchmarks

Mayes County's 72.2-year life expectancy falls 1.3 years below the U.S. average of 73.5 years, signaling sustained health challenges. With 24.1% reporting poor or fair health versus the national 19%, residents experience elevated rates of chronic disease and disability.

Below average for Oklahoma

Mayes County's 72.2-year life expectancy trails Oklahoma's 72.7-year state average, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. The 13.9% uninsured rate is actually below the state's 15.3%, yet health outcomes remain weaker—suggesting insurance alone isn't solving the county's health crisis.

Region's shortest life expectancy

Mayes County posts the region's lowest life expectancy at 72.2 years, falling behind all regional peers including Love (72.5), Marshall (73.3), and Lincoln (74.2). While primary care access at 36 per 100,000 is moderate, high mental health provider density (258 per 100,000) hints at significant behavioral health crises.

Insured but still struggling with health

Despite a relatively low 13.9% uninsured rate, Mayes County's 24.1% poor/fair health rate and 72.2-year life expectancy suggest other barriers—poverty, social isolation, substance abuse—are driving poor outcomes. Limited primary care at 36 per 100,000 may force residents toward emergency rooms instead of preventive care.

Verify and strengthen your coverage

Mayes County residents should ensure they're fully insured and connected to primary care—visit healthcare.gov or call your provider to verify coverage and schedule preventive visits. If you're uninsured, securing a plan now is essential to reversing the county's troubling health decline.

Disaster Risk in Mayes County

via RiskByCounty

Mayes County faces above-average risk

With a composite risk score of 77.58, Mayes County earns a "Relatively Low" rating but exceeds the national average across multiple hazard types. The county's multi-faceted exposure, particularly to flood and wildfire, distinguishes it from lower-risk areas.

Higher than Oklahoma's average risk

Mayes County's 77.58 score substantially exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. Flood risk (75.86) is particularly elevated relative to other Oklahoma counties.

Highest risk in its region

Mayes County (77.58) faces significantly more risk than all nearby counties, including Lincoln (71.31) and McCurtain (72.04). Only Logan County (74.68) approaches Mayes County's elevated exposure.

Flood and wildfire pose dual threat

Flood risk scores 75.86 and wildfire 85.62, making them Mayes County's dominant hazards—both well above state averages. Tornado risk (88.30) and earthquake risk (58.91) add significant secondary exposure.

Flood and fire insurance are essential

Homeowners should secure both comprehensive fire coverage and separate flood insurance, as standard policies exclude water damage. Consider elevated or flood-resistant construction measures if rebuilding, and maintain defensible space around structures to reduce wildfire risk.

ByCounty Network

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