countyscore
36
County Score
Cost of Living 65.5Property Tax 61.9Weather & Climate 58.8

County Report Card

About Osage County, Oklahoma

Osage County Trails National Medians

Osage County earns a composite score of 34.7, trailing the national median of 50.0 by a significant margin. This puts the county in the lower third of all U.S. counties for overall livability metrics.

Ranking Below Oklahoma's Average

While Oklahoma averages a composite score of 43.0, Osage County falls short of its state peers at 34.7. This indicates that residents here experience lower rankings in key infrastructure and safety categories than the typical Oklahoman.

Strong Affordability and Moderate Taxes

The county excels in housing affordability with a Cost Score of 60.6, anchored by a median gross rent of only $786. Residents also benefit from a competitive Tax Score of 60.0 and an effective property tax rate of 0.727%.

Significant Gaps in Safety and Water

The county faces critical challenges with a Safety Score of 0.0 and a Water Score of 0.6, suggesting high concerns for local services. Additionally, the School Score of 21.3 is lower than many neighboring districts.

A Haven for Budget-Conscious Renters

Osage County best suits individuals who prioritize low housing costs and modest taxes above all else. However, families may find the low safety and school scores require additional local research.

2040608010061.965.5037.621.342.221.90.658.8Tax61.9Cost65.5Safety0Health37.6Schools21.3Income42.2Risk21.9Water0.6Weather58.836/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Osage County DNA

Foverall

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

Osage County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (65.5/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (0.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
61.9+9.899999999999999
Cost
65.5+17.5
Safety
0-55
Health
37.6-12.399999999999999
Schools
21.3-32.7
Income
42.2-8.799999999999997
Risk
21.9-25.1
Water
0.6-57.4
Weather
58.8
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$182,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$777/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$182,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,080/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $62,847/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

13.1

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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Nearby counties

Pawnee County
Oklahoma
44.4
Noble County
Oklahoma
41.6
Kay County
Oklahoma
35
Payne County
Oklahoma
30.2
Creek County
Oklahoma
36.1
Chautauqua County
Kansas
54.1
Washington County
Oklahoma
42.7
Tulsa County
Oklahoma
38.4

Deep Dives

Osage County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Osage County

via TaxByCounty

Osage taxes rank low nationally

Osage County's effective tax rate of 0.727% sits well below the national median, where homeowners typically pay around $2,690 annually on a $281,900 home. At this rate, Osage residents pay roughly one-quarter what national averages suggest, placing the county in the bottom tier of U.S. property tax burdens.

Osage slightly above Oklahoma average

With a 0.727% effective rate, Osage County ranks slightly higher than Oklahoma's state average of 0.652%, meaning it's in the middle range among the state's 77 counties. The county's median tax of $1,253 exceeds the state median of $959, reflecting a modest premium compared to most Oklahoma neighbors.

Osage outpaces most northern neighbors

Osage's 0.727% rate sits between Pawnee County (0.695%) to the east and Payne County (0.865%) to the south. Among the region's five-county cluster, Osage ranks third—more expensive than Ottawa and Pittsburg but less costly than Payne.

Median Osage home costs $1,253 yearly

On the county's median home value of $172,300, homeowners pay approximately $1,253 in annual property taxes. For owners with a mortgage, total assessments rise to about $1,569; without a mortgage, the annual bill averages $961.

Many Osage homeowners can challenge assessments

Property tax overassessment is common across Oklahoma, and Osage County residents should review their assessment notices carefully. If your home's appraised value seems inflated compared to recent sales prices, filing an appeal with the county assessor's office could lower your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Osage County

via IncomeByCounty

Osage income lags behind national median

Osage County's median household income of $60,482 falls $14,273 short of the national median of $74,755. This 19% gap reflects economic patterns across rural Oklahoma, though Osage performs better than many neighboring counties in the region.

Above-average earner in Oklahoma

At $60,482, Osage County's median household income ranks above Oklahoma's state average of $58,273, placing it among the stronger performers statewide. The county's per capita income of $32,096 also exceeds the state average of $30,609.

Osage outpaces most regional peers

Osage County earns $2,931 more per household than Pawnee County ($57,551) and significantly more than Pushmataha County ($44,634). Only Pontotoc County ($62,564) and Pottawatomie County ($60,828) match or exceed Osage's household income in the region.

Housing costs remain manageable here

Osage County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs consume about $945 monthly for a median household. With a median home value of $172,300, homeownership remains within reach for many families.

Build financial security in Osage County

With stable housing costs and above-state-average income, Osage households are positioned to save and invest. Consider meeting with a financial advisor to discuss retirement planning, emergency funds, and wealth-building strategies tailored to rural Oklahoma's economic landscape.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Osage County

via CrimeByCounty

Osage County Faces High Incident Rates

The total crime rate in Osage County reaches 53,073.7 per 100K residents, which significantly exceeds the national average of 2,385.5. This high frequency of reported incidents results in a safety score of 16.2 out of 100.

A Sharp Contrast to Oklahoma Averages

While the average safety score across Oklahoma is 95.8, Osage County trails significantly at 16.2. The local total crime rate is nearly 20 times higher than the statewide average of 2,647.7 per 100K.

Comparing Osage to Local Neighbors

Osage County's total crime rate of 53,073.7 stands as a major outlier compared to neighboring Pawnee County, which reports only 1,128.6. This statistical gap reflects a much higher volume of reported activity across the 12 agencies in Osage.

Severe Rates of Property and Violence

Property crime dominates the local landscape at 44,104.9 per 100K, far surpassing the national rate of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also elevated at 8,968.8 per 100K, creating a challenging environment for local public safety.

Securing Your Property in Osage County

With a property crime rate of 44,104.9 per 100K, advanced security systems and fortified entry points are critical for residents. Vigilance and modern alarm monitoring remain the best defenses against theft and burglary in the area.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Osage County

via WeatherByCounty

A Cooler Pocket in the Sooner State

Osage County’s annual average of 59.0°F is the lowest in this group, though it remains above the national median. Its northern location provides a slight reprieve from the more intense southern Oklahoma heat.

Below the Oklahoma Average

At 59.0°F, Osage is nearly 1.5 degrees cooler than the state average of 60.4°F. This is largely due to colder winters, where January temperatures average just 35.8°F.

Coolest in the Local Region

Osage is cooler than all its immediate neighbors, including Noble (59.5°F) and Nowata (60.1°F). It maintains a moderate rainfall profile of 41.3 inches, keeping the tallgrass prairies hydrated.

Brisk Winters and Balanced Summers

The county sees 6.9 inches of snow and 66 extreme heat days, offering a more balanced seasonal profile than southern Oklahoma. Summer averages 79.1°F, which is the mildest in this eight-county set.

Prepare for Winter Frost and Summer Sun

With a January average of 35.8°F, residents need to winterize pipes and keep snow shovels ready. The 66 days of heat still require reliable cooling, but the load is lighter than in Oklahoma City.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Osage County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Profiles Across the Osage

The county's average pH of 5.96 sits below both the state average of 6.06 and the national median of 6.5. This moderately acidic profile defines the landscape and requires lime for sensitive crops. Local surveys categorize much of the dominant texture as water-influenced, suggesting high riverine or wetland interaction.

A Silty Foundation for Tribal Lands

The soil contains a high silt concentration of 42.1% paired with 31.9% sand and 18.3% clay. This silty mix offers a smoother feel than sandier neighbors, providing a decent balance between workability and structural stability. It holds onto nutrients better than pure sand but lacks the density of high-clay regions.

Solid Water Retention Despite Lower Carbon

Organic matter levels reach 1.64%, slightly trailing the Oklahoma state average of 1.72%. However, the available water capacity of 0.156 in/in outperforms the state benchmark of 0.144 in/in. This means the soil is surprisingly effective at storing moisture for plants during dry spells.

High Runoff Potential in Group D

Classified in hydrologic group D, these soils generally experience slow infiltration and high runoff rates when saturated. This makes the terrain prone to ponding during heavy Oklahoma thunderstorms. Builders and farmers must plan carefully for surface water management to avoid erosion.

Gardening in Hardiness Zone 7a

Osage County falls within USDA hardiness zone 7a, perfect for heat-tolerant vegetables and native grasses. The combination of high water capacity and 7a temperatures supports robust cattle grazing and summer gardens. Grab a spade and start your vegetable plot this spring.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Osage County

via LawnByCounty

Above-Average Lawn Success in Osage County

Osage County earns a lawn difficulty score of 55.8, making it notably easier to maintain than the Oklahoma state average of 46.1. Within hardiness zone 7a, the local environment is more hospitable than the national median of 50.0, providing a solid foundation for green spaces.

Ample Rainfall Meets Summer Heat

The county receives 41.3 inches of annual precipitation, which falls perfectly within the 30-50 inch ideal range for lawns. While 4,782 growing degree days support vigorous growth, the 66 days of extreme heat require careful irrigation timing during peak summer.

Balancing Acidic Soil for Better Turf

The local soil pH of 5.96 is just below the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, suggesting that a light lime application may benefit grass health. With 18.3% clay and 31.9% sand, the soil provides a moderate texture that holds moisture without becoming completely waterlogged.

Managing Moderate Seasonal Dry Spells

The county experienced 21 weeks of drought over the past year, and while 100% of the area is currently abnormally dry, severe drought levels remain at zero. To conserve water, homeowners should prioritize deep, infrequent watering to encourage resilient root systems.

Timing Your Osage County Planting

Bermuda and Tall Fescue thrive in this 7a zone, provided they are established between the April 11 last frost and the October 29 first frost. Start seeding in early spring or fall to avoid the stress of those 66 extreme heat days.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Osage County's county score?
Osage County, Oklahoma has a composite county score of 36 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 Osage County rank among counties in Oklahoma?
Osage County ranks #64 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 Osage County, Oklahoma?
The median annual property tax in Osage County is $1,248, with an effective tax rate of 0.69%. This earns Osage County a tax score of 61.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Osage County?
The median household income in Osage County, Oklahoma is $62,847 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Osage County earns an income score of 42.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Osage County, Oklahoma a good place to live?
Osage County scores 36/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #64 in Oklahoma. The best way to evaluate Osage 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 Osage 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.