Cotton
Oklahoma

What stands out

Against every county in America, Cotton County is unusual in three ways: the median home price is in the bottom 4% of American counties ($107K), the home price against local income is in the bottom 6% of American counties (1.4 years of income), and winter sunshine is in the top 10% of American counties (1.3 on the USDA scale). Within Oklahoma it ranks 12th of 77 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Cotton County, Oklahoma. 5,537 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +27).

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 $60,208 a year, lower than 51% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,637. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 64% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 26 minutes each way.

Oklahoma takes 4.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,495 a year.

Home

The median home costs $107K, cheaper than 96% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $750 a month. Property tax is 0.68% of home value, roughly $717 a year on that median home, lower than 68% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than 76% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 19 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 72.1 years, shorter than 87% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 3.6 per 10,000 people. 14.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.05 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 62% of American counties. 84% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 67 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 58% 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 77 and lows near 52, warmer than 81% of American counties. About 38 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 18 out of 100, safer than 82% of American counties; the county has had 37 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 173 Mbps down, slower than 62% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation.