CountyScore

Nowata County

Oklahoma · OK

#31 in Oklahoma
69.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Nowata County, Oklahoma

Nowata exceeds national benchmark

Nowata County's composite score of 69.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 39%, positioning it firmly in the above-average range of U.S. counties. The county offers solid livability fundamentals compared to most American communities.

Slightly above Oklahoma average

Nowata scores 69.6, modestly exceeding Oklahoma's state average of 68.4 and ranking in the upper-middle tier of state counties. The county performs competitively within its regional context.

Affordability and health combine well

Nowata shines with excellent cost affordability—the lowest median home value at $121,900 (score: 84.0) and very low rent at $776/month—alongside a health score of 58.2. These strengths make it highly attractive to budget-conscious households seeking an affordable yet healthy community.

Income opportunities lag behind

The county's income score of 17.8 reflects a median household income of $52,679, limiting appeal for higher-earning professionals. While tax efficiency at 0.706% (score: 82.4) is respectable, the modest income potential constrains economic advancement for career-focused residents.

Perfect for budget-first lifestyle

Nowata County works best for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and reasonable health services. The combination of the state's cheapest housing and strong affordability makes it ideal for those seeking maximum purchasing power and financial simplicity in rural Oklahoma.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.4Cost84SafetyComing SoonHealth58.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.8Risk59.2WaterComing Soon
🏛82.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡59.2
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 Nowata County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Ketchikan Gateway Borough
Alaska
69.6
Median income: $89,155
Lawrence County
Arkansas
69.6
Median income: $44,164
Logan County
Colorado
69.6
Median income: $55,074
Jasper County
Georgia
69.6
Median income: $59,574
Pickens County
Georgia
69.6
Median income: $75,293

Deep Dives

Nowata County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Nowata County

via TaxByCounty

Nowata taxes remain well below national

Nowata County's effective tax rate of 0.706% is modest compared to national burdens, with residents paying just $860 annually on a median home value. This is roughly one-third the national median property tax of $2,690.

Nowata slightly above Oklahoma average

At 0.706%, Nowata's effective rate edges above Oklahoma's state average of 0.652%, though the median tax of $860 falls slightly below the state median of $959. The county occupies the upper-middle tier of Oklahoma's property tax landscape.

Nowata taxes moderate in the region

Nowata's 0.706% rate ranks between McIntosh (0.587%) and Noble County (0.803%) among peers, with a median tax of $860 placing it in the mid-range regionally. Only Muskogee (0.700%) comes close in effective rate.

What Nowata homeowners pay annually

With a median home value of $121,900 and an effective rate of 0.706%, Nowata residents pay approximately $860 in annual property tax. Mortgaged homeowners budget $1,122, while those without a mortgage pay around $584.

Challenge Nowata overassessments

If your Nowata property feels overvalued, requesting a reassessment from the county assessor is free and often successful. Many homeowners discover their taxes drop significantly after appealing an inflated assessed value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Nowata County

via CostByCounty

Nowata renters approach affordability

Nowata County residents spend 17.7% of household income on rent, tracking closely to Oklahoma's 17.0% state average and maintaining reasonable affordability for a rural county. The median household income of $52,679 lags the national average of $74,755, yet rent costs remain measured at $776 per month.

Near-average affordability statewide

Nowata's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio sits just 0.7 percentage points above Oklahoma's state average, placing the county firmly in the middle tier of housing affordability across the state. This balanced positioning suggests Nowata residents face typical rural Oklahoma housing cost pressures.

Moderate costs, moderate income

Nowata County's 17.7% rent-to-income ratio outperforms challenged neighbors like McIntosh (19.8%), Muskogee (19.0%), and Oklahoma County (19.7%), though trails the exceptional Noble County (13.0%). Rent at $776 monthly aligns with statewide averages, making Nowata a middle-ground option regionally.

Housing takes one-sixth of income

The typical Nowata renter earns $52,679 annually but pays $776 monthly, dedicating about 17.7% of gross income to housing—a manageable proportion. Homeowners with median monthly costs of $688 on homes valued at $121,900 enjoy slightly better economics, among the lowest home values in the county group.

Nowata offers moderate housing appeal

If relocating to Nowata County, expect moderate housing costs ($776 rent, $122,000 median home value) paired with incomes around $52,700—neither exceptional nor challenging. Nowata makes sense for movers seeking rural Oklahoma affordability without the income advantages of Noble County or the constraints of Muskogee and McIntosh.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Nowata County

via IncomeByCounty

Nowata lags nation by 30%

Nowata County's median household income of $52,679 runs roughly $22,000 below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county faces income challenges common to rural Oklahoma communities.

Below state average but competitive

At $52,679, Nowata trails Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by about 10%, placing it slightly below the statewide midpoint. The county's income profile is near typical for rural Oklahoma.

Mid-range earner among peers

Nowata County ($52,679) sits between McIntosh ($46,203) and Okmulgee ($53,123), holding a mid-range position. Its per capita income of $30,575 nearly matches the state average of $30,609.

Housing costs fair and manageable

At 17.7%, Nowata's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below 20%, signaling solid housing affordability. The median home value of $121,900 is one of the region's most affordable.

Low cost of living aids savings

Nowata's relatively low housing costs and affordable real estate create breathing room for household savings and investment. Prioritize building an emergency fund and exploring tax-deferred retirement accounts to maximize long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Nowata County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy close to national average

Nowata County residents live to 72.0 years, about 4.4 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. One in five residents (22.7%) report poor or fair health, above the national rate of 18%, indicating health challenges despite middling life expectancy.

Slightly below state average life expectancy

At 72.0 years, Nowata County's life expectancy matches the state average of 72.7 years almost exactly, placing it in the middle. The 22.7% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state trend, suggesting underlying health struggles not fully captured by life expectancy alone.

Health similar to some, below others

Nowata County's 72.0-year life expectancy matches Murray County but falls short of Noble County's 74.2 years and exceeds McIntosh's 70.8 years. Its 22.7% poor/fair health rate is among the highest in the region.

Primary care shortage despite stable coverage

Nowata County has just 11 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, a significant shortage similar to McIntosh County's challenge. The 13.9% uninsured rate is below state average, though 254 mental health providers per 100K shows strength in behavioral health.

Secure health coverage for your future

With 13.9% of Nowata County uninsured, health coverage is accessible through the Health Insurance Marketplace or Oklahoma Medicaid. Check your eligibility at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find affordable coverage today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Nowata County

via RiskByCounty

Nowata ranks among the safest U.S. counties

At 40.78, Nowata County's composite risk sits well below national averages, earning a "Very Low" rating. The county offers one of Oklahoma's most disaster-resilient profiles.

Nowata is Oklahoma's low-risk standout

Nowata's 40.78 score sits substantially below Oklahoma's 55.47 average, placing it among the state's safest counties. Few Oklahoma counties match its overall resilience to natural disasters.

Nowata rivals Murray for regional safety

Nowata (40.78) closely tracks Murray (32.54) as one of Oklahoma's safest counties, substantially outperforming McIntosh (65.78) and Muskogee (82.03). It anchors the low-risk profile of northeast Oklahoma.

Wildfire remains the clear primary hazard

Despite overall low risk, wildfire exposure reaches 54.45—the county's dominant threat. Tornado risk (64.06) ranks second but remains moderate compared to state benchmarks.

Basic homeowners insurance typically sufficient

Nowata residents can generally rely on standard homeowners insurance, though adding wildfire coverage provides extra security given the 54.45 wildfire score. Focus on vegetation management around structures as a primary defense.

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.