Carter
Oklahoma

What stands out

If you had to describe Carter County in numbers, start here: the share working from home is in the bottom 11% of American counties (3%), the uninsured rate is in the top 11% of American counties (16.2%), and winter sunshine is in the top 11% of American counties (1.0 on the USDA scale). Within Oklahoma it ranks 13th of 77 counties for the share working from home, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Carter County, Oklahoma. 48,202 people live here with you. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +316).

Oklahoma has a graduated income tax reaching 4.5%, exempts Social Security, and has some of the lowest home prices and property taxes in the country. Most of the state is in the highest-risk tornado zone in the world, and the Oklahoma City area has also seen frequent earthquakes linked to oil and gas wastewater disposal. Native American tribal nations hold significant jurisdiction across the eastern half of the state.

Money

The typical household here brings in $56,390 a year, lower than 63% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,952. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 53% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

Oklahoma takes 4.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,323 a year.

Home

The median home costs $178K, cheaper than 73% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $899 a month. Property tax is 0.79% of home value, roughly $1,143 a year on that median home, lower than 56% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 71% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 72.4 years, shorter than 85% of American counties. There are 88 active physicians in the county, about 18.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 16.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.01 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 51% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 53 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 55% of eligible voters turned out. Under Oklahoma law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 64°F, highs near 74 and lows near 53, warmer than 79% of American counties. About 44 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 79 out of 100, riskier than 79% of American counties; the county has had 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 154 Mbps down, slower than 69% of American counties. There are 8 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.