Seminole County

Oklahoma · OK

#43 in Oklahoma
67.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Seminole County, Oklahoma

Seminole ranks solidly above national median

With a score of 67.6, Seminole County ranks in the 70th percentile nationally, significantly outperforming the national median of 50.0. It reflects above-average livability by nationwide standards.

Right at Oklahoma's midpoint

Seminole County's score of 67.6 mirrors Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, making it a representative example of typical county livability across the state.

Affordability is outstanding

Seminole County boasts the most affordable housing among these eight counties with the lowest median home value at $91,200 and low rent at $730/month. Its cost score of 87.8 and tax score of 85.2 make it exceptionally budget-friendly.

Income and health lag

Seminole County's income score of 13.5 is the lowest in this group, with a median household income of just $46,191—nearly $20,000 below county peers. Health outcomes at 49.5 also trail the broader region.

Perfect for cost-conscious seniors

Seminole County is ideal for retirees and low-income households seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden and rural peace of mind. The trade-off: limited income potential and moderate health outcomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.2Cost87.8SafetyComing SoonHealth49.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.5Risk42.9WaterComing Soon
🏛85.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠87.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼13.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
49.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
42.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Seminole County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Seminole County

via TaxByCounty

Seminole taxes below U.S. average

Seminole County's 0.605% effective tax rate sits below the national median of 0.73%, placing it in the bottom 30% nationwide. At $552 in median annual property taxes, residents pay less than one-fifth the national median of $2,690.

Among Oklahoma's more affordable counties

Seminole County ranks 27th in effective tax rate among Oklahoma's 77 counties, at 0.605% versus the state average of 0.652%. The median property tax of $552 runs $407 below Oklahoma's state median of $959.

Similar to Pottawatomie, Okfuskee

Seminole's 0.605% rate aligns with surrounding central Oklahoma counties like Pottawatomie (around 0.60%) and Okfuskee (similar range). This cluster makes Seminole fairly typical for the region.

Median homes assessed at $91,200

Seminole County has the lowest median home value among these eight counties at $91,200, which translates to $552 in median annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $886 annually; those without pay $419.

Verify your home's assessed value

Even at lower tax rates, Seminole County homeowners should review their assessments against current market values. If local home sales suggest your property is overassessed, request a formal appeal to reduce your annual tax burden.

Cost of Living in Seminole County

via CostByCounty

Seminole's housing crunch exceeds national stress

Seminole County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio signals genuine housing pressure, where renters devote nearly one-fifth of their paychecks to rent alone. At $730/month against a median income of only $46,191, Seminole households struggle with affordability significantly more than the national average.

Among Oklahoma's least affordable counties

Seminole County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the worst in Oklahoma, exceeding the state average of 17.0% by 2.0 percentage points. This places Seminole in the affordability danger zone, where housing consumes a disproportionate share of modest household incomes.

Worse off than Sequoyah and Texas County

Seminole County's rents ($730/month) sit between Sequoyah's $796 and Tillman's $704, but the county's lowest incomes ($46,191) create the region's tightest squeeze. Renters here strain harder to pay rent than almost any neighbor.

Renters squeezed, owners get relief

Renters pay $730/month (19.0% of income) while homeowners pay just $498/month (12.8% of income) on median household earnings of $46,191. This gap reveals a county where ownership offers real relief—but only for those who can access down payments on homes valued at $91,200.

Reconsider if you rent in Seminole

Seminole County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio means housing consumes nearly 1 of every 5 dollars earned—among Oklahoma's tightest burdens. If you're renting here and earning near the median, compare your costs to Roger Mills ($708 rent, 13.6% ratio) or Tillman County to see if relocation could reclaim income for other needs.

Income & Jobs in Seminole County

via IncomeByCounty

Seminole County lags far behind national income

At $46,191, Seminole County's median household income trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $28,500—a 38% gap. This places the county among lower-income areas nationally, reflecting limited economic opportunities and wage stagnation.

Below-average earnings for Oklahoma

Seminole County's $46,191 median household income sits $12,082 below Oklahoma's state average of $58,273. The county ranks in the lower quartile of Oklahoma counties, signaling economic challenges that require targeted development.

Struggling alongside similar rural counties

Seminole County earns below Sequoyah ($49,795) and Tillman ($47,445), and significantly less than Stephens ($60,236) and Texas ($59,275). These disparities reflect limited job diversity and reliance on declining industries across rural southeastern Oklahoma.

Housing costs strain household budgets

At 19.0%, Seminole County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the 15% affordability threshold, indicating housing pressures on lower-income households. The median home value of $91,200 appears affordable in isolation, but represents a larger financial burden for families earning below $50,000.

Start small, build steady wealth habits

Even with tight budgets, Seminole County residents can build wealth by automating small contributions—$25–50 per paycheck—into savings and low-cost index funds. Pair this with free financial literacy resources to maximize every dollar and improve long-term economic security.

Health in Seminole County

via HealthByCounty

Seminole County faces significant health gap

At 69.0 years, Seminole County's life expectancy falls 4.5 years short of the U.S. average of 73.5 years, marking one of Oklahoma's steepest health challenges. With 25.6% of residents reporting poor or fair health—well above the national average of 21%—the county struggles with chronic disease burden and health equity issues.

Among Oklahoma's hardest-hit counties

Seminole County's 69.0-year life expectancy lags the Oklahoma average of 72.7 years by 3.7 years, placing it near the bottom of the state's health rankings. This persistent gap reflects broader challenges in healthcare access, chronic disease management, and economic factors affecting rural Oklahoma communities.

Struggles compared to nearby counties

Seminole County's 69.0-year life expectancy is significantly lower than Stephens County (73.8 years) and markedly worse than Rogers County (75.9 years). The 25.6% poor/fair health rate here exceeds most neighboring counties, suggesting concentrated health challenges requiring targeted intervention.

High uninsurance, limited primary care access

With 17.9% of residents uninsured—above Oklahoma's 15.3% average—many Seminole County residents lack consistent healthcare access. The county offers only 34 primary care providers per 100,000, though it does maintain 314 mental health providers per 100,000, indicating some mental health infrastructure amid broader healthcare gaps.

Getting covered starts here

If you're among Seminole County's 17.9% uninsured, coverage is within reach. Visit Healthcare.gov, call 1-800-318-2596, or contact the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to explore Medicaid, ACA plans, or community health center services that can improve your family's health outcomes.

Disaster Risk in Seminole County

via RiskByCounty

Seminole County slightly exceeds national baseline

Seminole County's composite risk score of 57.12 sits just above Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, placing it squarely in the relatively low risk category. The county's exposure mirrors the typical natural disaster patterns found across central Oklahoma.

Mid-range risk among Oklahoma counties

Seminole County ranks near the middle of Oklahoma's 77 counties in natural disaster risk, with its score nearly matching the state average. The county faces moderate exposure compared to both the state's highest-risk counties (like Tulsa) and its safest communities.

Comparable risk to surrounding areas

Seminole County's 57.12 score aligns with other central Oklahoma counties, though it edges below nearby Stephens County (65.94). The county's risk profile reflects the regional diversity of central Oklahoma's hazard landscape.

Wildfires and tornadoes dominate the threat

Wildfire risk (91.13) and tornado risk (78.69) are Seminole County's primary hazards, with wildfire exposure particularly acute across the region's grasslands and forests. Earthquake risk (51.59) and hurricane risk (33.88) present secondary but measurable threats.

Invest in multi-hazard protection

Seminole County homeowners should maintain comprehensive coverage including wind, hail, and fire protection given the wildfire and tornado exposure. Consider installing storm shutters and maintaining defensible space around your home to reduce wildfire vulnerability.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.