CountyScore

Pottawatomie County

Oklahoma · OK

#56 in Oklahoma
66
County Score

County Report Card

About Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma

Pottawatomie exceeds national median

Pottawatomie County's composite score of 66.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 32%, positioning it in the upper-middle range nationally. This demonstrates better livability than most American counties.

Slightly below Oklahoma average

Pottawatomie's score of 66.0 trails the Oklahoma state average of 68.4, ranking it in the lower-middle tier among the state's 77 counties. The county performs adequately but doesn't lead within Oklahoma.

Income and tax efficiency strong

Pottawatomie offers a solid income score of 23.1 backed by median household income of $60,828, along with a tax score of 84.0 and effective rate of 0.651%. The risk score of 17.7 shows reasonable resilience in the face of economic challenges.

Health outcomes and resilience concern

A health score of 57.9 indicates moderate healthcare quality, while the risk score of 17.7 is the lowest among this cohort, suggesting vulnerability to external shocks. These dimensions point to both health and economic fragility that could impact quality of life.

Good for income-focused families

Pottawatomie County suits working families and professionals seeking moderate incomes and tax efficiency without premium healthcare or exceptional resilience. It appeals to those who prioritize stable employment and reasonable housing costs in a modest, stable community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84Cost81.4SafetyComing SoonHealth57.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.1Risk17.7WaterComing Soon
🏛84
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡17.7
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 Pottawatomie County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Craighead County
Arkansas
66
Median income: $57,615
Putnam County
Georgia
66
Median income: $64,163
Hendricks County
Indiana
66
Median income: $99,988
Boyd County
Kentucky
66
Median income: $60,659
Daviess County
Kentucky
66
Median income: $65,323

Deep Dives

Pottawatomie County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pottawatomie County

via TaxByCounty

Pottawatomie taxes rank far below national

Pottawatomie County's 0.651% effective tax rate is roughly one-quarter the national property tax burden, where homeowners typically pay $2,690 on a $281,900 property. This positions Pottawatomie well below the national median, making it a highly tax-friendly county overall.

Pottawatomie nearly matches state average

At 0.651%, Pottawatomie County sits virtually at Oklahoma's 0.652% state average, placing it dead center among the state's 77 counties. The county's median tax of $1,013 runs 5% above the state median of $959, reflecting near-perfect alignment with statewide norms.

Pottawatomie represents regional balance

Pottawatomie's 0.651% rate sits comfortably in the middle of the five-county cluster, below Osage (0.727%) and Pawnee (0.695%) but above Ottawa (0.619%) and Pittsburg (0.517%). This positioning reflects the county's status as a central Oklahoma anchor in a moderately taxed region.

Median Pottawatomie home costs $1,013 yearly

On Pottawatomie County's median home value of $155,700, property owners pay approximately $1,013 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill reaches $1,330; without one, annual costs average $737.

Pottawatomie residents should check their assessments

Overassessed properties remain surprisingly common across Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie homeowners should verify their valuations against recent comparable sales. If your county appraisal significantly exceeds nearby market values, contact the assessor's office about filing an appeal to potentially lower your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pottawatomie County

via CostByCounty

Pottawatomie County rents are very affordable

Pottawatomie County renters spend 17.1% of household income on rent, just above the affordability benchmark but reasonable given the county's strong median income of $60,828. This rate sits only 2.3 percentage points above the national average, making it one of the more affordable options in this county group.

Slightly above Oklahoma's affordability baseline

Pottawatomie County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio sits marginally above Oklahoma's 17.0% state average, placing it essentially at the state norm. The county achieves this through moderate rent costs ($869) paired with solid household incomes ($60,828).

Competitive rents, good income support

Pottawatomie's $869 median rent ranks mid-range among these eight counties, while its $60,828 median income ranks second-highest, balancing costs and earning power effectively. Compared to Payne County's $922 rent on $48,937 income, Pottawatomie residents enjoy significantly lower affordability stress.

Strong affordability across both tenure types

Renters spend $869 monthly (17.1% of income) while homeowners invest $746, creating solid affordability margins for both groups. The median home value of $155,700 remains accessible for buyers earning near the county median, supporting the affordability story.

Pottawatomie offers strong balanced housing costs

If you're considering Pottawatomie County, the combination of moderate rents, reasonable home values, and above-average household income creates favorable conditions for both renters and buyers. Verify your household income aligns with or exceeds the $60,828 county median to ensure you'll enjoy similar affordability advantages.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pottawatomie County

via IncomeByCounty

Pottawatomie near regional income leaders

Pottawatomie County's median household income of $60,828 trails the national median of $74,755 by $13,927—an 19% gap—but stands among this region's highest earners. The county's central location supports both rural and suburban economies.

Above Oklahoma's state average income

Pottawatomie County's median household income of $60,828 exceeds Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by $2,555, placing it in the upper half of state counties. Per capita income of $29,013 is near the state average of $30,609.

Second-highest earner in its peer group

Pottawatomie County ($60,828) ranks just behind Pontotoc ($62,564) and Osage ($60,482) in household income, significantly outpacing Ottawa ($48,656) and Pushmataha ($44,634). Shawnee's presence as a regional center drives economic stability.

Healthy housing affordability margins

Pottawatomie County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% indicates housing costs take roughly $867 monthly from a median household budget, remaining safely affordable. Median home values of $155,700 offer reasonable pathways to homeownership.

Capitalize on Pottawatomie's economic strengths

Above-average incomes and solid affordability create space for Pottawatomie households to save and invest strategically. Explore employer retirement plans, educational savings accounts, and investment opportunities through local financial institutions to secure long-term prosperity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pottawatomie County

via HealthByCounty

Pottawatomie County lags U.S. average

At 71.7 years, Pottawatomie County trails the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years by 4.7 years, typical of rural Oklahoma counties facing economic stress. One in five residents reports poor or fair health, aligning with rural national averages and suggesting manageable but persistent chronic disease burden.

Slightly below state average

Pottawatomie County's 71.7-year life expectancy runs just below Oklahoma's 72.7-year average, ranking in the state's middle tier. Its 22.6% poor/fair health rate sits near state median, reflecting typical rural challenges in disease prevention and management.

Peer to similar rural counties

Pottawatomie County's life expectancy matches Pontotoc (71.7 years) precisely and closely trails Pawnee (71.4 years), forming a cluster of mid-tier rural performers. At 14.1% uninsured, Pottawatomie performs slightly better than state average, helping more residents access care.

Moderate access across primary and mental health

With 30 primary care providers per 100,000, Pottawatomie County offers basic preventive care access, though specialists remain limited for complex conditions. Mental health support at 359 per 100,000 provides reasonable behavioral health services, supporting residents managing depression, anxiety, and other conditions.

Insurance empowers preventive action

One in seven Pottawatomie County residents goes without health insurance, risking late diagnoses and emergency-only care. Head to HealthCare.gov to compare plans in minutes—insurance makes preventive checkups, screenings, and early treatment possible.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pottawatomie County

via RiskByCounty

Pottawatomie faces elevated national disaster risk

Pottawatomie County's composite risk score of 82.32 places it in the relatively moderate category, well above the national average. The county ranks among the nation's higher-risk areas, driven by exceptionally high tornado exposure and elevated wildfire risk.

Among Oklahoma's highest-risk counties

At 82.32, Pottawatomie's composite score significantly exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, ranking it among the state's most hazard-prone counties. Only a few Oklahoma counties face greater overall natural disaster exposure.

Clear regional risk leader in central Oklahoma

Pottawatomie's score of 82.32 nearly matches Payne County (83.94) as the region's highest-risk county, substantially exceeding Pontotoc (62.91), Pawnee (48.09), and Pushmataha (32.79). It anchors the high-risk zone in central Oklahoma.

Tornadoes pose the greatest threat here

Pottawatomie's tornado risk of 96.56 is among the highest in the nation, making it the county's dominant hazard concern. Wildfire risk at 92.24 and earthquake risk at 68.42 add significant secondary threats that require preparation.

Tornado preparation is critical in Pottawatomie

Pottawatomie County residents face extraordinary tornado risk (96.56) and should prioritize identifying or building safe shelter and maintaining comprehensive wind/hail coverage in their insurance. Add wildfire and earthquake coverage to policies, and ensure flood protection is adequate for this multi-hazard environment.

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.