Dewey
Oklahoma

What stands out

Three things set Dewey County apart from the other 3,142 counties: population growth is among the fastest shrinking in America (-2.7% a year), unemployment is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2.0%), and home internet speed is in the bottom 8% of American counties (84 Mbps). Within Oklahoma it ranks 1st of 77 counties for population growth, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Dewey County, Oklahoma. 4,504 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 2.7% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -102).

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 $61,310 a year, higher than 52% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $69,326. Unemployment runs 2.0%, lower than 96% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Oklahoma takes 4.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,544 a year.

Home

The median home costs $134K, cheaper than 90% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $805 a month. Property tax is 0.53% of home value, roughly $624 a year on that median home, lower than 84% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 61% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 16 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 72.3 years, shorter than 85% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 4.4 per 10,000 people. 13.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.23 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 80% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 81 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 67% 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 60°F, highs near 73 and lows near 47, warmer than 68% of American counties. About 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 12 out of 100, safer than 88% of American counties; the county has had 35 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 84 Mbps down, slower than 92% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.