Ottawa County's composite score of 65.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 31%, positioning it in the upper-middle tier nationally. This places Ottawa ahead of most U.S. counties on overall livability factors.
2 / 5
Slightly below Oklahoma average
Ottawa's score of 65.5 trails the Oklahoma state average of 68.4, ranking it in the lower-middle cohort within Oklahoma's 77 counties. The county is solid but not among the state's top performers.
3 / 5
Lowest taxes and great affordability
Ottawa shines with Oklahoma's lowest effective tax rate at 0.619% (tax score: 84.8) and an exceptional cost score of 84.2. Median home values of $114,300 and rent at just $764/month make this one of the most affordable counties in the state.
4 / 5
Income and health need attention
The income score of 15.2 reflects a median household income of $48,656—among the state's lowest—while a health score of 51.9 signals moderate health challenges. These dimensions suggest limited economic opportunity and possible healthcare access gaps.
5 / 5
Ideal for budget-first families
Ottawa County works best for families and individuals whose primary goal is minimizing living costs and taxes, even if income opportunities are limited. It appeals to those with modest means or retirees seeking maximum purchasing power in a low-cost setting.
Ottawa County's composite score of 65.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 31%, positioning it in the upper-middle tier nationally. This places Ottawa ahead of most U.S. counties on overall livability factors.
Slightly below Oklahoma average
Ottawa's score of 65.5 trails the Oklahoma state average of 68.4, ranking it in the lower-middle cohort within Oklahoma's 77 counties. The county is solid but not among the state's top performers.
Lowest taxes and great affordability
Ottawa shines with Oklahoma's lowest effective tax rate at 0.619% (tax score: 84.8) and an exceptional cost score of 84.2. Median home values of $114,300 and rent at just $764/month make this one of the most affordable counties in the state.
Income and health need attention
The income score of 15.2 reflects a median household income of $48,656—among the state's lowest—while a health score of 51.9 signals moderate health challenges. These dimensions suggest limited economic opportunity and possible healthcare access gaps.
Ideal for budget-first families
Ottawa County works best for families and individuals whose primary goal is minimizing living costs and taxes, even if income opportunities are limited. It appeals to those with modest means or retirees seeking maximum purchasing power in a low-cost setting.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛84.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Ottawa County's effective rate of 0.619% is among the lowest in America, less than one-quarter of what the typical U.S. homeowner pays on a $281,900 home. This places Ottawa in the bottom 5% of U.S. counties for property tax burden.
Ottawa ranks among Oklahoma's cheapest
At 0.619%, Ottawa County sits below Oklahoma's 0.652% state average, placing it in the lowest quartile statewide. The county's median tax of $708 ranks among the state's most affordable, undercutting the state median of $959 by nearly 25%.
Ottawa offers lowest taxes in northern cluster
Ottawa's 0.619% rate is the cheapest among its five-county region, beating Osage (0.727%), Pawnee (0.695%), and Payne (0.865%). Only Pittsburg County (0.517%) rivals Ottawa for affordability in northeastern Oklahoma.
Median Ottawa home costs just $708 yearly
On Ottawa County's median home value of $114,300, property owners pay roughly $708 in annual taxes—among the lowest in the state. With a mortgage, the figure rises to $890; without one, annual costs average $539.
Ottawa residents should verify assessments too
Even in low-tax counties, assessment errors occur and can inflate your bill unnecessarily. Review your county assessor's valuation against comparable sales in your area; if it's significantly higher, file an appeal to potentially reduce your tax liability.
Ottawa County residents spend 18.8% of income on rent, crossing into the "cost-burdened" territory that housing experts flag as unsustainable. With a median household income of $48,656—35% below the national average—renters here face real affordability pressure despite modest rent prices.
Below-average affordability in Oklahoma
Ottawa County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% exceeds Oklahoma's 17.0% state average, placing it in the less-affordable half of the state's counties. The squeeze reflects lower household incomes relative to rental costs across the county.
Modest rents with income challenges
Ottawa County's $764 rent rivals Osage County's ($786) for affordability but does so on a household income $11,826 lower, making the ratio worse. Compared to higher-earning Pontotoc County ($62,564 median income), Ottawa renters face steeper percentage-based burdens.
Homeownership offers better value here
Renters in Ottawa spend $764 monthly while homeowners pay just $690, making mortgage costs 10% cheaper than rents—unusual among these counties. The median home value of $114,300 is the lowest in this group, offering an entry point for buyers with limited capital.
Ottawa suits homebuyers on tight budgets
If owning matters more than renting, Ottawa County's low home values and affordable mortgage costs ($690/month) outpace rental affordability significantly. Verify your income aligns with the $48,656 median and explore mortgage pre-qualification to understand your real buying power.
Ottawa income significantly below national average
Ottawa County's median household income of $48,656 trails the national median of $74,755 by $26,099—a 35% gap that ranks among Oklahoma's lower-earning counties. This reflects broader economic challenges facing rural northeastern Oklahoma communities.
Among Oklahoma's lower-income counties
Ottawa County's median household income falls $9,617 below Oklahoma's state average of $58,273, ranking it near the bottom of state counties. Per capita income of $24,911 is also notably below the state average of $30,609.
Ottawa struggles compared to neighboring counties
Ottawa County earns $8,895 less per household than neighboring Pawnee County ($57,551) and $14,172 less than Osage County ($60,482). Only Pushmataha County ($44,634) earns significantly less in the broader region.
Housing costs strain household budgets
Ottawa County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% indicates housing consumes roughly $764 monthly for a median household, approaching affordability concerns. With median home values at $114,300, many residents face tough choices between homeownership and other financial priorities.
Strategic planning matters for Ottawa households
Lower incomes require disciplined financial management to build wealth and security. Explore local financial literacy resources, credit-building programs, and employer retirement plans to maximize your household's long-term financial resilience.
At 69.8 years, Ottawa County residents live about 6.6 years shorter than the U.S. average, one of the steepest life expectancy deficits in rural Oklahoma. More than one in four residents report poor or fair health, suggesting substantial chronic disease burden and health challenges.
Lowest life expectancy in state
Ottawa County ranks among the lowest in Oklahoma for life expectancy, trailing the state average of 72.7 years by nearly 3 years. Its 25.5% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds state peers, indicating urgent population health concerns.
Struggling compared to region
Ottawa County's 69.8-year life expectancy lags neighboring Osage (75.8 years) and Payne (75.9 years) by 6+ years, marking a clear regional disparity. The 16.1% uninsured rate also edges above the state average, leaving more residents vulnerable to medical debt.
Providers present but access remains hard
Ottawa County has 46 primary care providers per 100,000—solid on paper—but 25.5% of residents still report poor health, suggesting barriers beyond supply. With 548 mental health providers per 100,000, the county actually leads the region in psychiatric care, yet population health outcomes lag, pointing to affordability or transportation challenges.
Coverage can reduce health costs
One in six Ottawa County residents lack health insurance, leaving them at risk for catastrophic medical bills and delayed care. Visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, ACA plans, or tribal health benefits—coverage is within reach.
Ottawa County faces elevated national disaster risk
Ottawa County's composite risk score of 76.05 indicates relatively low rating but substantially higher exposure than the national average. This score reflects the county's particular vulnerability to tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes across multiple hazard types.
Well above Oklahoma's average risk profile
At 76.05, Ottawa's composite score exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 55.47 by more than 20 points, ranking it among the state's higher-risk counties. The county faces more persistent natural disaster threats than most of its peers.
Second-highest risk in the northeast region
Ottawa's score of 76.05 falls just behind Osage County (78.09) and significantly above Pawnee County (48.09) in the immediate area. The county shares similar tornado and earthquake risks with its neighbors but has notably higher flood exposure at 78.24.
Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes pose threats
Ottawa faces a substantial tornado risk of 73.60, flood risk of 78.24, and moderate earthquake risk of 61.23—a trio of serious hazards. The combination of water and wind threats means dual preparation is essential across different seasons.
Bundle flood and wind insurance carefully
Ottawa County residents should ensure their homeowners policies explicitly cover both wind/hail damage (73.60 tornado risk) and flooding (78.24 flood risk). Consider a separate flood policy if standard insurance excludes it, and review coverage annually given the county's multi-hazard exposure.