Sequoyah County

Oklahoma · OK

#66 in Oklahoma
65.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Sequoyah County, Oklahoma

Sequoyah exceeds national livability baseline

Sequoyah County's score of 65.4 places it in the 63rd percentile nationally, above the national median of 50.0. It demonstrates solid, above-average livability on the national stage.

Slightly below Oklahoma average

At 65.4, Sequoyah County trails Oklahoma's state average of 68.4 by about 3 points, positioning it in the middle range of Oklahoma counties.

Excellent tax and housing values

Sequoyah County shines with a tax score of 86.3—among the lowest effective tax rates at 0.567%—and affordable housing with a median home value of $127,500. Its cost score of 84.0 reinforces exceptional value.

Income and risk concerns

The income score of 15.9 reflects a median household income of $49,795, leaving limited financial breathing room for families. A risk score of 20.9 also suggests underlying vulnerabilities in resilience.

Suits frugal, resilient families

Sequoyah County appeals to budget-conscious households willing to accept modest incomes for genuinely low costs and taxes. It works best for those with financial discipline and limited dependence on local earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.3Cost84SafetyComing SoonHealth51SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.9Risk20.9WaterComing Soon
🏛86.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠84
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼15.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
51
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
20.9
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

Sequoyah County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sequoyah County

via TaxByCounty

Sequoyah's tax rate moderately below U.S. average

At 0.567%, Sequoyah County's effective tax rate falls below the national median of 0.73%, placing it in the lower third of U.S. counties. The $723 median annual property tax is less than one-third the national median of $2,690.

Second-lowest rate in Oklahoma

Sequoyah ranks 2nd among Oklahoma's 77 counties for lowest effective tax rate at 0.567%, trailing only Roger Mills County at 0.479%. Residents pay $236 less annually than Oklahoma's state median of $959.

Lowest among eastern Oklahoma peers

Sequoyah's 0.567% rate substantially undercuts neighboring Muskogee County (around 0.75%) and Cherokee County (similar to Muskogee), making it a tax haven in the eastern region.

Median homes worth $127,500

On a median home value of $127,500, Sequoyah County property owners pay approximately $723 annually in taxes. With a mortgage, taxes run $976 per year; without one, $551.

Challenge inflated property assessments

Sequoyah County homeowners should compare their assessed values to recent arm's-length sales in similar neighborhoods. Overassessed properties are common even in low-tax counties, and appeals can result in substantial annual savings.

Cost of Living in Sequoyah County

via CostByCounty

Sequoyah County's housing burden runs deep

Sequoyah County's 19.2% rent-to-income ratio marks the highest strain among the surveyed counties, where renters devote nearly one-fifth of earnings to rent. Against a median household income of only $49,795, the $796 monthly rent represents a significant drag on household finances.

Among Oklahoma's toughest affordability tests

Sequoyah County ranks among the state's least affordable places to rent, with a 19.2% rent-to-income ratio that exceeds Oklahoma's 17.0% average by 2.2 percentage points. Only a handful of Oklahoma counties present steeper housing challenges for renters.

Rents higher, incomes lower than peers

Sequoyah's $796 rent ranks among the region's highest, while its $49,795 median income ranks among the lowest—a double squeeze. Only Texas County ($939) exceeds Sequoyah's rents, but Texas County also commands higher incomes, making Sequoyah's burden uniquely difficult.

Both renters and owners stretch budgets

Renters spend $796/month (19.2% of income) while homeowners pay $667/month (16.1% of income) on median household earnings of $49,795. This county offers no easy path to affordable housing—both renters and owners allocate substantial shares of modest paychecks to shelter.

Sequoyah renters should explore alternatives

If you're renting in Sequoyah County at the median income, your 19.2% housing burden ranks among Oklahoma's worst—nearly the maximum economists recommend for financial health. Compare these costs to more affordable counties like Roger Mills (13.6% ratio) or Tillman (17.8% ratio) to see if relocation could ease your financial strain.

Income & Jobs in Sequoyah County

via IncomeByCounty

Sequoyah County faces significant national income gap

At $49,795, Sequoyah County's median household income trails the national median of $74,755 by approximately $25,000—a 33% shortfall. The county ranks among lower-income rural areas across the U.S., reflecting broader economic challenges in southeastern Oklahoma.

Below Oklahoma's income average

Sequoyah County's $49,795 median household income lags Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by $8,478. The county ranks in the lower half of Oklahoma counties, suggesting limited wage growth and employment diversity.

Slightly ahead of the poorest counties

Sequoyah County outearns Seminole ($46,191) and Tillman ($47,445), but falls short of Stephens ($60,236) and Texas ($59,275). The pattern reflects economic clustering in southeastern and south-central Oklahoma, where wages remain depressed.

Housing costs place pressure on families

At 19.2%, Sequoyah County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the 15% affordability threshold, straining household budgets significantly. With a median home value of $127,500, many families earning the county median must allocate disproportionate income to housing.

Build wealth despite income constraints

Sequoyah County residents can strengthen their financial future by leveraging low-cost tools: employer 401(k) matches, high-yield savings accounts, and employer assistance programs. Every $10 per paycheck invested compounds over time—consistency matters more than amount when building wealth from a tighter budget.

Health in Sequoyah County

via HealthByCounty

Sequoyah County's life expectancy trails nation

At 70.3 years, Sequoyah County's life expectancy falls 3.2 years below the U.S. average of 73.5 years, reflecting persistent health challenges. The county's 26.6% poor/fair health rate—significantly above the national 21% average—underscores a population dealing with higher rates of chronic disease and health limitation.

Below-average health across Oklahoma

Sequoyah County's 70.3-year life expectancy ranks near the bottom of Oklahoma's 77 counties, 2.4 years below the state average of 72.7 years. The county's 26.6% poor/fair health rate—the highest among these eight profiled counties—signals deep-rooted health disparities in this rural area.

Lowest life expectancy in region

Sequoyah County's 70.3 years represents the worst outcome among nearby counties, substantially lower than Stephens County (73.8 years) and Rogers County (75.9 years). The 26.6% poor/fair health rate here is the highest in the region, highlighting concentrated health challenges requiring urgent attention.

Uninsured residents face care barriers

At 16.5% uninsured, Sequoyah County exceeds Oklahoma's 15.3% state average, leaving one in six residents without health coverage. The county provides 35 primary care providers and 313 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, but gaps in insurance coverage and transportation can limit many residents' ability to access available care.

Coverage transforms health outcomes

Sequoyah County's health challenges make insurance coverage essential. If you're uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov, call the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, or visit a local Federally Qualified Health Center to enroll in Medicaid or an ACA plan—your access to preventive care depends on it.

Disaster Risk in Sequoyah County

via RiskByCounty

Sequoyah County faces elevated national risk

Sequoyah County's composite risk score of 79.10 significantly exceeds the Oklahoma state average of 55.47, placing it among the nation's higher-risk counties. This eastern Oklahoma county experiences substantial exposure across multiple natural hazard categories.

Among Oklahoma's highest-risk counties

Sequoyah County ranks in the upper tier of Oklahoma's risk profile, with a score 43% above the state average. Only counties like Tulsa and Rogers carry comparable or higher composite risk exposure.

Elevated risk mirrors eastern Oklahoma pattern

Sequoyah County's 79.10 score closely matches Rogers County (80.06) in northeastern Oklahoma, reflecting the region's consistent vulnerability to multiple hazards. The eastern border counties consistently rank among the state's most at-risk communities.

Tornadoes and wildfires pose severe threats

Tornado risk (86.04) and wildfire risk (96.12) are Sequoyah County's primary hazards, with wildfire exposure among the highest statewide. Flood risk (73.60) and earthquake risk (67.05) add significant secondary exposure.

Comprehensive insurance and preparation critical

Sequoyah County residents must maintain full homeowners insurance with wind and hail coverage, plus separate flood insurance through the NFIP. A designated storm shelter and regular property maintenance for fire risk are essential protective measures.

ByCounty Network

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