CountyScore

Pontotoc County

Oklahoma · OK

#50 in Oklahoma
67
County Score

County Report Card

About Pontotoc County, Oklahoma

Pontotoc ranks solidly nationally

Pontotoc County's composite score of 67.0 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 34%, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. This demonstrates better overall livability than most U.S. counties.

Just below Oklahoma's midline

Pontotoc's score of 67.0 trails the Oklahoma average of 68.4 by just 1.4 points, ranking it near the middle of the state's 77 counties. The county is a solid performer within Oklahoma's overall landscape.

Income and resilience lead

Pontotoc boasts the highest income score (24.2) in this cohort, with a median household income of $62,564, offering stronger earning potential. The tax score of 84.7 and risk score of 37.1 also indicate good stability and financial resilience.

Health and affordability lag slightly

A health score of 56.7 and cost score of 79.7 indicate room for improvement in healthcare outcomes and housing affordability. Median rent of $880/month and home values of $170,500 are higher relative to incomes in this cohort.

For working families seeking balance

Pontotoc County suits working families and young professionals who earn decent incomes and can afford moderate housing costs while valuing tax efficiency. It appeals to those seeking a balance between income potential, affordability, and community stability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.7Cost79.7SafetyComing SoonHealth56.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.2Risk37.1WaterComing Soon
🏛84.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡37.1
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 Pontotoc County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Plumas County
California
67
Median income: $64,946
Kootenai County
Idaho
67
Median income: $77,034
Schuyler County
Illinois
67
Median income: $66,059
Johnson County
Indiana
67
Median income: $87,227
Kearny County
Kansas
67
Median income: $74,135

Deep Dives

Pontotoc County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pontotoc County

via TaxByCounty

Pontotoc's taxes remain far below national

Pontotoc County's 0.626% effective tax rate is roughly one-quarter the national property tax burden, where homeowners typically pay $2,690 annually. This positions Pontotoc well below the national median, making it an exceptionally affordable county for property owners.

Pontotoc slightly below Oklahoma average

At 0.626%, Pontotoc County ranks just below Oklahoma's 0.652% state average, placing it in the lower-middle tier among the state's 77 counties. The county's median tax of $1,067 sits 11% above the state median of $959, reflecting a near-statewide alignment.

Pontotoc rates competitively in the cluster

Pontotoc's 0.626% rate places it squarely in the middle-lower range of the five-county region, below Osage (0.727%) and Pawnee (0.695%) but above Ottawa (0.619%) and Pittsburg (0.517%). This moderate positioning reflects balanced county finances across south-central Oklahoma.

Median Pontotoc home costs $1,067 yearly

On Pontotoc County's median home value of $170,500, property owners pay approximately $1,067 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill reaches $1,314; without one, annual costs average $714.

Pontotoc homeowners should verify valuations

Property overassessment is common statewide, and Pontotoc residents should review their assessment notices carefully against recent neighborhood sales. If your county appraised value exceeds comparable properties nearby, filing an appeal with the assessor could reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pontotoc County

via CostByCounty

Pontotoc County nearly matches national affordability

Pontotoc County renters spend 16.9% of household income on rent, just above the 15% affordability benchmark and competitive with national norms. With a median household income of $62,564—16% below the U.S. median—the county achieves solid housing affordability for renters.

Nearly matches Oklahoma's state average

Pontotoc County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio sits just 0.1 percentage points below Oklahoma's 17.0% state average, placing it squarely at the state norm for affordability. The county achieves this balance through slightly above-average rent ($880) paired with above-average household income ($62,564).

Higher income, moderate rent burden

Pontotoc County's $62,564 median household income is among the highest in this group, allowing residents to absorb rent costs of $880 more comfortably than lower-income peers. Compared to Osage County ($60,482 income), Pontotoc has $2,082 more annual household income to work with.

Balanced housing costs across tenures

Renters spend $880 monthly (16.9% of income) while homeowners pay $842, with both tenure types consuming roughly similar income shares. The median home value of $170,500 remains accessible for buyers earning near the county median.

Pontotoc balances income and housing costs

If relocating to Oklahoma, Pontotoc County offers near-average state affordability with slightly above-average incomes—a stable combination for renters and buyers alike. Compare your household income to the $62,564 median to assess whether you'll enjoy above-average or below-average housing affordability in the county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pontotoc County

via IncomeByCounty

Pontotoc leads region in household income

Pontotoc County's median household income of $62,564 trails the national median of $74,755 by $12,191—a 16% gap—but ranks as the highest-earning county in this regional group. Per capita income of $32,176 also leads the region.

Above-average performer in Oklahoma

Pontotoc County's median household income of $62,564 exceeds Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by $4,291, placing it among the state's stronger-earning counties. This positions Pontotoc in the upper half of Oklahoma's 77 counties.

Pontotoc leads its peer group

Pontotoc County ($62,564) outearns all but Osage County ($60,482) in this region, significantly exceeding Ottawa ($48,656) and Pushmataha ($44,634). Ada's economy drives steady household income and employment stability.

Strong affordability profile for the region

Pontotoc County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% means housing costs consume roughly $880 monthly for a median household, well within healthy affordability limits. Median home values of $170,500 support accessible homeownership.

Pontotoc households are positioned to thrive

With above-average incomes and manageable housing costs, Pontotoc families have room to invest in retirement, education, and wealth-building. Work with local financial advisors to maximize employer benefits, diversify investments, and build generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pontotoc County

via HealthByCounty

Pontotoc County below U.S. averages

Pontotoc County residents live 71.7 years on average, roughly 4.7 years shorter than the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years. About one in five report poor or fair health, slightly above national averages, reflecting both rural barriers and treatable chronic conditions.

Mid-tier ranking, room for growth

Pontotoc County's 71.7-year life expectancy runs 1 year below Oklahoma's 72.7-year average, placing it in the state's middle tier. At 21.7% poor/fair health, the county tracks close to state median, indicating typical rural health challenges.

Mid-range compared to peers

Pontotoc County's 71.7 years aligns with Pottawatomie (71.7 years) and Pawnee (71.4 years), forming a cluster of counties below state leaders Osage and Payne. The 16.2% uninsured rate ranks slightly above state average, affecting healthcare access for one in six residents.

Provider strength in primary care

Pontotoc County leads most rural peers with 71 primary care providers per 100,000, offering residents strong routine and preventive care access. Mental health support is also robust at 620 per 100,000, suggesting good behavioral health infrastructure despite moderate life expectancy.

Get covered to maximize care

With 16.2% of Pontotoc County residents uninsured, coverage gaps undermine the benefit of strong provider networks. Visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find affordable plans—insurance ensures you can use the county's primary care resources when you need them.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pontotoc County

via RiskByCounty

Pontotoc County faces moderate national disaster risk

Pontotoc County's composite risk score of 62.91 places it in the relatively low category and only slightly above the national average. However, the county's wildfire and tornado risks deserve particular attention despite the overall moderate profile.

Slightly above Oklahoma's average risk

At 62.91, Pontotoc's score marginally exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, positioning it roughly in the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county faces relatively balanced threats across multiple hazard types.

Mid-tier risk among surrounding counties

Pontotoc's score of 62.91 sits between higher-risk Payne County (83.94) and lower-risk Pushmataha County (32.79), with similar risk to Pawnee County (48.09). The county represents a moderate-risk zone in central Oklahoma.

Wildfire and tornado are leading threats

Pontotoc faces a significant wildfire risk of 90.17 and tornado risk of 88.45, making these dual hazards the county's primary concerns. Flood risk at 45.58 represents a lower but still meaningful threat, particularly for riverside properties.

Cover wind, wildfire, and flood exposures

Pontotoc County residents should ensure insurance policies provide robust coverage for wind/hail (88.45 tornado risk) and wildfire (90.17), plus separate flood coverage if needed. Regular property maintenance and vegetation management around structures significantly reduce wildfire exposure.

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.