Pawnee County's composite score of 69.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 39%, ranking it in the top third nationally. This strong performance positions Pawnee as more livable than most American counties.
2 / 5
Oklahoma's top-ranked county
Pawnee leads all Oklahoma counties with a score of 69.4, surpassing the state average of 68.4. This makes Pawnee the state's most livable county by CountyScore metrics.
3 / 5
Balanced excellence in tax and cost
Pawnee excels across affordability with a tax score of 82.7, cost score of 83.4, and strong resilience with a risk score of 51.9—the highest of all counties in this cohort. The effective tax rate of 0.695% and median home value of $125,700 create a stable financial environment.
4 / 5
Income growth remains modest
The income score of 21.0 and median household income of $57,551 suggest limited high-wage job opportunities. While health outcomes are solid at 59.6, income growth remains the primary economic constraint.
5 / 5
Best overall for most Oklahomans
Pawnee County offers the best overall balance of affordability, stability, and livability for working families, retirees, and remote professionals. Its combination of low taxes, affordable housing, and resilience makes it Oklahoma's most well-rounded choice.
Pawnee County's composite score of 69.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 39%, ranking it in the top third nationally. This strong performance positions Pawnee as more livable than most American counties.
Oklahoma's top-ranked county
Pawnee leads all Oklahoma counties with a score of 69.4, surpassing the state average of 68.4. This makes Pawnee the state's most livable county by CountyScore metrics.
Balanced excellence in tax and cost
Pawnee excels across affordability with a tax score of 82.7, cost score of 83.4, and strong resilience with a risk score of 51.9—the highest of all counties in this cohort. The effective tax rate of 0.695% and median home value of $125,700 create a stable financial environment.
Income growth remains modest
The income score of 21.0 and median household income of $57,551 suggest limited high-wage job opportunities. While health outcomes are solid at 59.6, income growth remains the primary economic constraint.
Best overall for most Oklahomans
Pawnee County offers the best overall balance of affordability, stability, and livability for working families, retirees, and remote professionals. Its combination of low taxes, affordable housing, and resilience makes it Oklahoma's most well-rounded choice.
Score breakdown
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🏛82.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Pawnee County's 0.695% effective rate is roughly one-quarter the national property tax burden, where homeowners typically pay $2,690 on a $281,900 property. This positions Pawnee well below the national median, making it an exceptionally tax-friendly county.
Pawnee slightly exceeds Oklahoma average
At 0.695%, Pawnee edges above Oklahoma's 0.652% state average, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 77 counties. The county's median tax of $873 runs about 9% below the state median of $959.
Pawnee rates middle ground regionally
Pawnee's 0.695% rate positions it between Ottawa (0.619%) to the north and Osage (0.727%) to the west, making it a moderate option in the five-county region. Only Payne County (0.865%) to the south carries a notably higher burden.
Median Pawnee home costs $873 annually
On the county's median home value of $125,700, property owners pay approximately $873 per year in taxes. The figure climbs to $1,230 for homeowners with a mortgage, while owners holding their property free and clear average $590 annually.
Pawnee homeowners should check their assessments
Overassessed properties are surprisingly common, and Pawnee County residents can contest their valuations through the county assessor's appeal process. If your appraised value exceeds comparable home sales in your neighborhood, filing a challenge could reduce your annual tax bill significantly.
Pawnee County renters spend 18.2% of household income on rent, just above the affordability threshold and slightly worse than the national average. Despite a median income of $57,551 that's still 23% below the U.S. median, the county's higher rent prices ($872/month) create noticeable housing stress.
Above-state-average housing burden
Pawnee County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Oklahoma's 17.0% average, placing it among the state's less-affordable rental markets. The county's $872 median rent is the highest among these eight counties, contributing to the affordability gap.
Highest rents among peer counties
Pawnee's median rent of $872 runs $86 higher than Osage County and $108 more than Ottawa County, despite similar or lower household incomes. This cost premium, combined with modest incomes, pushes rent burdens beyond neighboring alternatives.
Renters stretched, owners comfortable
Renters spend $872 monthly—18.2% of income—while homeowners pay just $611, making homeownership notably more affordable in Pawnee County. The median home value of $125,700 creates opportunity for first-time buyers seeking relief from rental costs.
Pawnee renters should weigh homeownership
If you're renting in Pawnee, the affordability math suggests exploring homeownership; mortgage costs run 30% cheaper than rent here. Compare your household income to the $57,551 median and consult a lender about whether buying could improve your housing cost burden.
Pawnee income trails national average significantly
Pawnee County's median household income of $57,551 falls $17,204 short of the national median of $74,755—a 23% gap reflecting rural economic pressures. Despite this gap, Pawnee performs better than several neighboring Oklahoma counties.
Slightly below Oklahoma's state average
Pawnee County's median household income of $57,551 sits just $722 below Oklahoma's state average of $58,273, placing it near the middle of state earnings distribution. Per capita income of $28,961 is slightly below the state average of $30,609.
Middle-ground earner in regional context
Pawnee County ($57,551) earns more than Ottawa ($48,656) and Pushmataha ($44,634) counties but less than Osage ($60,482) and Pontotoc ($62,564). This positions Pawnee as a moderate-income county within its regional peer group.
Rental housing costs are reasonable here
Pawnee County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% means housing costs take roughly $875 monthly from a median household budget, remaining well within affordability standards. Median home values of $125,700 offer modest homeownership opportunities.
Invest in Pawnee County's financial future
With income near state averages and manageable housing costs, Pawnee households can dedicate resources to savings and investments. Consult local credit unions and financial institutions about tailored wealth-building and retirement planning options.
Pawnee County's 71.4-year life expectancy runs about 5 years short of the U.S. average, reflecting broader rural health challenges in Oklahoma. One in five residents reports poor or fair health, consistent with national averages for rural counties facing economic and healthcare access headwinds.
Below state average, mid-tier ranking
At 71.4 years, Pawnee County trails Oklahoma's 72.7-year average by 1.3 years but ranks better than several struggling southeastern counties. Its 20.3% poor/fair health rate sits below state median, suggesting relatively stable chronic disease management.
Mid-pack among rural peers
Pawnee County's life expectancy matches Pittsburg County (71.3 years) but falls well short of Osage and Payne counties, both near 76 years. At 14.2% uninsured, Pawnee performs slightly better than state average, providing more residents with insurance protection.
Moderate provider access, gaps remain
With 25 primary care providers per 100,000, Pawnee County offers reasonable primary care access compared to rural peers, but shortages still exist for specialists. Mental health support at 208 per 100,000 providers is mid-range, leaving room for improvement in mental illness prevention and treatment.
Secure coverage for preventive care
One in seven Pawnee County residents goes without health insurance, making preventive screenings and early treatment inaccessible. Head to HealthCare.gov or your county health office to compare plans—insurance can catch problems early and protect your family's health.
Pawnee County's composite risk score of 48.09 places it in the relatively low category and actually slightly below the national average. However, this masks significant wildfire exposure that requires local attention despite the county's overall favorable risk profile.
One of Oklahoma's safer counties overall
Pawnee's score of 48.09 falls well below Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, making it one of the state's lower-risk counties. The county benefits from reduced tornado and flood exposure compared to state peers.
Notably safer than adjacent Osage and Ottawa
Pawnee's score of 48.09 is substantially lower than neighboring Osage (78.09) and Ottawa (76.05) counties, positioning it as the safest in the immediate region. Despite lower overall risk, Pawnee shares significant wildfire concerns with its neighbors.
Wildfire and tornado are primary concerns
Pawnee's wildfire risk score of 86.80 stands out as notably high, while tornado risk of 70.01 represents a secondary but real threat. Flood risk is more moderate at 35.37, reflecting the county's geography and storm patterns.
Prioritize wildfire and wind protection
Homeowners in Pawnee should focus insurance and preparation efforts on wildfire (86.80) and tornado risk (70.01) given the county's profile. Ensure wind coverage is robust and consider defensible space improvements; standard homeowners policies should cover most needs given relatively lower flood risk.