CountyScore

Stephens County

Oklahoma · OK

#44 in Oklahoma
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Stephens County, Oklahoma

Stephens ranks above national median

Stephens County scores 67.5, placing it in the 71st percentile nationally and clearly above the national median of 50.0. This reflects solid livability across the country.

Near Oklahoma's state average

Stephens County's score of 67.5 closely mirrors Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, making it a representative county for typical livability conditions across the state.

Tax efficiency and affordability lead

Stephens County delivers strong tax advantages with a score of 82.3 and an effective tax rate of 0.711%, paired with affordable housing at a median value of $135,100. Its cost score of 81.6 supports family budgets.

Income and health are modest

With an income score of 22.7 and median household income of $60,236, Stephens County offers limited earning potential compared to regional alternatives. Health outcomes at 60.1 also show room for improvement.

Good fit for modest-income households

Stephens County works best for families earning moderate incomes who prioritize tax savings and affordable housing over income growth opportunities. It's a stable, if unambitious, choice for those seeking financial predictability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.3Cost81.6SafetyComing SoonHealth60.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.7Risk34.1WaterComing Soon
🏛82.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡34.1
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 Stephens County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Shelby County
Alabama
67.5
Median income: $93,543
Kusilvak Census Area
Alaska
67.5
Median income: $48,233
Suwannee County
Florida
67.5
Median income: $55,479
Appling County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $43,728
Baldwin County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $55,413

Deep Dives

Stephens County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Stephens County

via TaxByCounty

Stephens County taxes slightly above U.S. median

Stephens County's 0.711% effective tax rate edges above the national median of 0.73%, placing it near the 50th percentile nationally. The $961 median annual property tax falls well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Oklahoma's lower property values.

Above average within Oklahoma

Stephens ranks 33rd among Oklahoma's 77 counties with its 0.711% effective rate, exceeding the state average of 0.652% by about 0.06 percentage points. Annual property taxes here run barely above the state median of $959.

Middle ground in southwest Oklahoma

Stephens County's 0.711% rate sits between neighboring Comanche County (around 0.68%) and Cotton County (slightly higher), positioning it as typical for the southwest region.

Median homes valued at $135,100

On a median home value of $135,100, Stephens County property owners pay $961 annually in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,151 per year; those without pay $832.

Review assessments for potential savings

Stephens County residents should verify that their assessed values reflect current market conditions. Filing an assessment appeal costs nothing and could reduce your annual tax liability if your property is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Stephens County

via CostByCounty

Stephens County approaches affordability threshold

Stephens County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio sits just above Oklahoma's state average, placing renters near the edge of comfort—economists recommend spending no more than 30% on housing, and Stephens leaves reasonable margins. At $865/month against $60,236 median income, the county offers moderate affordability.

Middle-of-the-road affordability for Oklahoma

Stephens County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio matches Oklahoma's state average of 17.0%, placing it squarely in the middle tier for affordability across the state. This reflects a balance between modest rents and respectable incomes that characterizes many rural Oklahoma counties.

Pricier than panhandle partners, cheaper than metros

Stephens County's $865 monthly rent exceeds Roger Mills ($708) and Tillman ($704) but trails Texas County ($939) and Tulsa ($1,060). The county positions itself as a mid-tier rental market, neither the panhandle's bargain nor the urban centers' premium pricing.

Renters and owners both share burden

Renters spend $865/month (17.2% of income) while homeowners pay $740/month (14.7% of income) on median household earnings of $60,236. Stephens County offers a reasonable balance between rental and ownership costs, with both paths consuming less than 20% of household income.

Stephens County balances cost and comfort

If you earn near Stephens County's $60,236 median income, your 17.2% rent burden sits at Oklahoma's state average—manageable but not extraordinary. Compare this to Roger Mills' 13.6% ratio for potential savings, or accept Stephens as a solid middle option if proximity to town amenities justifies slightly higher housing costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Stephens County

via IncomeByCounty

Stephens County earns above national median

At $60,236, Stephens County's median household income falls short of the national median of $74,755 by about $14,500. The county still ranks in the middle range of U.S. counties, outperforming many rural areas across the country.

Middle-upper tier in Oklahoma

Stephens County's $60,236 median household income ranks above Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by roughly $2,000. The county holds its own in Oklahoma's income rankings, reflecting a diversified local economy and steady employment.

Outearns most adjacent counties

Stephens County's income exceeds Seminole ($46,191), Sequoyah ($49,795), Tillman ($47,445), and Texas ($59,275). Only Rogers County ($77,688) significantly outearns Stephens, marking it as a regional economic leader in south-central Oklahoma.

Housing costs are reasonable

At 17.2%, Stephens County's rent-to-income ratio sits just above the 15% affordability line, indicating manageable but tight housing costs. With a median home value of $135,100, households earning the county median can afford homeownership with disciplined budgeting.

Seize your income stability for growth

Stephens County's above-average state income provides real opportunity to invest and save beyond basic expenses. Direct 12–15% of income to retirement accounts and investment funds, and use your stable local economy as a foundation for long-term financial planning.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Stephens County

via HealthByCounty

Stephens County lives slightly below U.S. average

At 73.8 years, Stephens County's life expectancy falls just 1.7 years below the U.S. average of 73.5 years, reflecting moderate health outcomes. The 21.8% poor/fair health rate sits close to the national 21% average, suggesting health challenges typical of rural Oklahoma communities.

Slightly above Oklahoma's median health

Stephens County's 73.8-year life expectancy exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 72.7 years, positioning the county in the upper-middle tier of Oklahoma's health rankings. This modest advantage suggests the county manages chronic diseases reasonably well despite rural healthcare constraints.

Mid-range health within region

Stephens County's 73.8-year life expectancy and 21.8% poor/fair health rate place it between stronger-performing Rogers County (75.9 years) and challenged Seminole County (69.0 years). The county performs better than most nearby rural peers, though still trails Oklahoma's healthiest counties.

Below-average uninsured rate, moderate provider access

At 14.4% uninsured, Stephens County performs better than Oklahoma's 15.3% state average, giving most residents health coverage. The county maintains 39 primary care providers and 125 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, though mental health capacity remains limited compared to more urban areas.

Strengthen coverage for stability

With 14.4% of Stephens County residents uninsured, ensuring continuous coverage protects families from health crises. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health services that fit your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Stephens County

via RiskByCounty

Stephens County above national average risk

Stephens County's composite risk score of 65.94 exceeds the Oklahoma state average of 55.47, placing it in the relatively low category nationally. The county faces measurably higher natural disaster exposure than the typical U.S. region.

Upper-middle risk tier in Oklahoma

Stephens County ranks in the upper-middle range of Oklahoma's 77 counties, with a risk score 19% above the state average. The county experiences notably higher hazard exposure than most Oklahoma communities but below the state's highest-risk counties.

Elevated risk in south-central Oklahoma

Stephens County's 65.94 score positions it above nearby Texas County (56.65) but below Sequoyah County (79.10), reflecting its location in Oklahoma's varied south-central region. The county's risk profile bridges the lower and upper-risk tiers of the state.

Tornadoes and wildfire the primary concerns

Tornado risk (89.76) is Stephens County's highest hazard exposure, followed closely by wildfire risk (88.55), both reflecting the county's location in Oklahoma's active weather zone. Earthquake risk (62.63) presents a moderate tertiary threat.

Storm safety and fire protection essential

Stephens County homeowners should invest in comprehensive homeowners coverage emphasizing wind and hail protection for tornado season. Maintaining a storm shelter and creating defensible space around structures provides critical protection against both tornado and wildfire threats.

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.