Kay
Oklahoma

What stands out

If you had to describe Kay County in numbers, start here: the median home price is in the bottom 5% of American counties ($115K), winter sunshine is in the top 12% of American counties (1.0 on the USDA scale), and the average commute is in the bottom 13% of American counties (17 minutes). Within Oklahoma it ranks 15th of 77 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Kay County, Oklahoma. 43,859 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -28).

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 $53,746 a year, lower than 70% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $49,720. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 53% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 17 minutes each way.

Oklahoma takes 4.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,204 a year.

Home

The median home costs $115K, cheaper than 95% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $763 a month. Property tax is 0.68% of home value, roughly $763 a year on that median home, lower than 67% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than 77% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 28 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 72.3 years, shorter than 85% of American counties. There are 43 active physicians in the county, about 9.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 13.1% 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 64% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 51 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 53% 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 72 and lows near 48, warmer than 67% of American counties. About 43 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 36 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 150 Mbps down, slower than 71% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.