Woodward County

Oklahoma · OK

#32 in Oklahoma
69.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Woodward County, Oklahoma

Woodward: Strong Livability Nationwide

Woodward County's composite score of 69.5 runs 39% above the national median of 50.0, establishing it as a well-performing county for livability across the United States. This performance reflects balanced strengths in taxes, costs, and risk management.

Slightly Above State Average

Woodward's score of 69.5 exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 68.4, positioning it in the upper tier of the state's counties for overall livability. It ranks ahead of Washington and Wagoner counties despite modest income levels.

Strong Tax Efficiency and Balanced Costs

Woodward excels with a tax score of 84.8 and an effective tax rate of 0.621%, paired with a cost score of 79.9 supporting median home values of $178,000. The risk score of 58.4 is the highest in this group, suggesting better economic stability and resilience.

Income and Health Need Development

The income score of 25.9 reflects a median household income of $65,060, limiting earning capacity, while the health score of 58.7 ranks among the lower performers. These gaps suggest opportunity for targeted community health and economic development initiatives.

Suited for Balanced, Stable Living

Woodward County appeals to families and individuals seeking a middle-ground: reasonable housing costs, low taxes, and notably strong economic resilience without requiring high incomes. It's ideal for those valuing financial stability and predictability over maximum affordability or income potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.8Cost79.9SafetyComing SoonHealth58.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.9Risk58.4WaterComing Soon
🏛84.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠79.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼25.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
58.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
58.4
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

Woodward County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Woodward County

via TaxByCounty

Woodward sits near national tax average

Woodward County's effective tax rate of 0.621% sits slightly below the national median of 0.67%, placing it near the 45th percentile nationally. At $1,105 median annual tax on $178,000 homes, Woodward delivers below-national tax burden despite comparable property values.

Woodward ranks middle of Oklahoma counties

Woodward County's effective rate of 0.621% slightly exceeds Oklahoma's state average of 0.652%, placing it in the middle tier statewide. Its median tax of $1,105 runs 15% above the state median of $959, indicating a modest tax premium.

Woodward bridges high and low rates

Woodward County's 0.621% effective rate sits squarely between the region's extremes: it beats the high-tax counties (Washington at 0.935%, Wagoner at 0.812%) but lags the most affordable (Washita and Woods at 0.542% and 0.515%). This middle-ground positioning makes Woodward a moderate option for the area.

Median home: $178K costs $1,105 yearly

A typical Woodward County home valued at $178,000 generates an annual property tax bill of $1,105. With a mortgage, that climbs to $1,292; without one, homeowners pay $830 annually.

Moderate rates don't rule out appeal potential

Woodward County homeowners should still review their assessments, as overvaluation occurs regardless of county tax rates. If your property is assessed 10–15% above fair market value, an appeal could save hundreds annually—the Woodward County assessor can guide you through the process.

Cost of Living in Woodward County

via CostByCounty

Woodward stays slightly below national burden

Woodward County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% is below the implicit national standard, offering renters reasonable affordability. Though the median household income of $65,060 trails the national median of $74,755, housing costs remain proportionally manageable.

Well-positioned among Oklahoma counties

At 15.6%, Woodward County's rent-to-income ratio sits below Oklahoma's state average of 17.0%, ranking among the state's more affordable markets. The median rent of $847 is modestly above the state median of $814, but incomes and overall costs align favorably.

Woodward ties for regional affordability leadership

Woodward County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio is second-best in the region, trailing only Washita (15.0%) and beating Washington (17.7%), Wagoner (16.1%), and Woods (19.1%). It offers a strong middle ground between Washita's rock-bottom costs and the more challenged markets.

Balanced costs for renters and buyers alike

Median gross rent is $847 monthly, while homeowners average $873—nearly identical affordability for both groups. With a median household income of $65,060 annually ($5,421 monthly), housing consumes roughly 15.6% of earnings, one of the better ratios in the region.

Woodward balances affordability with stability

Woodward County offers strong value for relocators seeking both affordability and stability, with median home values near $178,000 and competitive rent-to-income ratios. If Washita feels too remote or you prefer larger towns, Woodward delivers comparable affordability with likely better amenities and employment options.

Income & Jobs in Woodward County

via IncomeByCounty

Woodward falls below national average

Woodward County's median household income of $65,060 lags the national median of $74,755 by $9,695, placing it below typical American household earnings. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of U.S. counties for household income.

Above Oklahoma's state average

Woodward County's median household income of $65,060 exceeds Oklahoma's state average of $58,273 by $6,787, positioning it among the state's better-earning counties. The county ranks in Oklahoma's upper-middle income tier, outperforming the state norm by roughly 11.6%.

Regional earnings leader

Woodward County's median income of $65,060 trails only Wagoner County ($78,520) among these five counties and outpaces Washita ($61,980), Washington ($61,205), and Woods ($50,512) counties. The county anchors the panhandle region as its strongest earnings center.

Balanced housing affordability

Woodward County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, ensuring housing costs remain manageable. With a median home value of $178,000, homeownership remains genuinely achievable for median-income households.

Build toward long-term security

Woodward County households have reasonable capacity to invest in retirement savings and property appreciation with household incomes above state averages. Working with a financial planner can help families leverage Woodward's economic advantages into lasting wealth and generational security.

Health in Woodward County

via HealthByCounty

Woodward trails national health benchmarks

Woodward County's life expectancy of 74.8 years slightly edges the U.S. average of 74.5 years, but 21.8% of residents report poor or fair health compared to the national 19%. This elevated disease burden suggests rising rates of preventable chronic conditions.

Woodward outpaces state, but with caveats

At 74.8 years, Woodward residents live 2.1 years longer than Oklahoma's 72.7-year state average—a meaningful advantage in the state's context. However, its 21.8% poor/fair health rate approaches the higher end of the state distribution, indicating health disparities within the county.

Woodward struggles with uninsured burden

Woodward County's 16.7% uninsured rate is the highest among its peer counties and exceeds Oklahoma's 15.3% average, meaning 1 in 6 residents lack coverage. Despite strong mental health provider density at 421 per 100,000, access gaps persist for those without insurance.

Specialty care available, but coverage varies

Woodward has 30 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and exceptional mental health capacity at 421 providers per 100,000, but uninsured residents struggle to access these services. The high uninsured rate creates a two-tiered healthcare experience in the county.

Woodward residents need coverage urgently

Nearly 1 in 6 Woodward County residents—16.7%—go without health insurance, the highest rate in the peer group and above the state average. Head to HealthCare.gov today to find affordable plans and ensure your family is protected.

Disaster Risk in Woodward County

via RiskByCounty

Woodward's risk remains below national average

Woodward County scores 41.63 on composite risk, earning a Very Low rating while staying modestly below typical U.S. county baseline exposure. The score reflects limited but non-negligible vulnerability concentrated in wildfire and tornado hazards. Compared to national standards, Woodward residents enjoy substantially lower natural disaster risk than average Americans.

Below-average risk statewide

Woodward County's 41.63 composite score falls beneath Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, positioning it as a lower-risk Oklahoma region. The county ranks favorably compared to most state peers in natural disaster exposure. Woodward residents benefit from below-average hazard vulnerability relative to the state's broader profile.

Moderate risk in northwest cluster

Woodward County scores 41.63, riskier than nearby Woods (28.09) and Washita (31.93) but far safer than the northeastern counties of Wagoner (73.25) and Washington (76.11). The county occupies a middle position within this five-county comparison. Woodward's risk profile reflects a balance of modest western Oklahoma hazards.

Wildfire dominates Woodward's hazards

Wildfire risk peaks at 89.28 in Woodward County, making it the primary natural disaster concern for property owners and land managers. Tornado risk (51.37) ranks second and remains noteworthy, while flood risk (36.83) and earthquake risk (33.33) pose minimal threats. Seasonal wildfire management and monitoring become essential practices for all residents.

Prioritize wildfire coverage now

Woodward homeowners should verify wildfire insurance coverage or riders given the county's high 89.28 wildfire risk score. Standard homeowners policies often exclude or limit wildfire damage, making explicit coverage a critical gap to address. Annual policy reviews should focus on wildfire exposure, particularly for properties near vegetation or in rural settings.

ByCounty Network

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