1st Advantage MortgageAbout 74% of Atoka County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $54,785. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Atoka County
- Atoka County housing compared with Oklahoma
- How much Atoka County households make
- How Atoka County residents earn a living
- Towns and communities in Atoka County
- Counties near Atoka County
- Budget math at the Atoka County median
- People and households in Atoka County
- Borrowing situations common in Atoka County
- Checklist for Atoka County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Atoka County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Atoka County
Roughly 14,379 residents live in Atoka County, Oklahoma, 46th by population among the state's 77 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 975 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 15 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Atoka County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 7 Census places inside Atoka County, Atoka leads by population with about 2,894; 4 of the 7 are incorporated.
Atoka County housing compared with Oklahoma
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $708 in Atoka County versus $1,014 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 37% of renter households here. Home values center on $157,600, or 2.9 years of median income. 74% of Atoka County households own their home and 26% rent. Median construction year: 1984.
| Housing | Atoka County | Oklahoma statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $708/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $157,600 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 24% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 12% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Atoka County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
How much Atoka County households make
Atoka County households have a median income of $54,785 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 50th of 77 in Oklahoma.
| Household income | Atoka County | vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.9% | +4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.6% | +3.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.4% | -5.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -2.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 22% of Atoka County households make $100,000 or more, and 31% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 17.3%, 2 points higher than the state's 15.3%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.451 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Atoka County median.
How Atoka County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; arts, lodging and food service is next with 12%. Compared with Oklahoma, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (7% against 4%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 77% drive to work alone and 20% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Atoka County workers | vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.7% | -1.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.5% | +2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | -0.8 pts |
| Construction | 10.9% | +3.5 pts |
| Public administration | 8.7% | +2.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.8% | +1.7 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Towns and communities in Atoka County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 31% of Atoka County residents live in one of the 7. This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atoka | city | 2,894 | $44,087 | $680 | 5 mi |
| Tushka | town | 559 | $31,250 | $669 | 9 mi |
| Stringtown | town | 409 | $60,682 | $783 | 5 mi |
| Lane | CDP | 348 | $51,250 | $772 | 7 mi |
| Caney | town | 139 | $39,375 | $800 | 15 mi |
| Wardville | CDP | 51 | $83,494 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Bentley | CDP | 18 | $51,250 | n/a | 12 mi |
Counties near Atoka County
Distances run center to center, from Coal County at 19 miles out to Pittsburg County at 40. Bryan County leads the group on income ($57,225), Choctaw County trails ($44,081), and Atoka County out-earns 4 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atoka County | - | $54,785 | $708/mo | 74% |
| Coal County, OK | 19 mi | $50,423 | $722/mo | 69% |
| Bryan County, OK | 32 mi | $57,225 | $960/mo | 64% |
| Johnston County, OK | 36 mi | $52,688 | $762/mo | 72% |
| Pushmataha County, OK | 36 mi | $47,940 | $667/mo | 75% |
| Choctaw County, OK | 37 mi | $44,081 | $690/mo | 66% |
| Pittsburg County, OK | 40 mi | $55,310 | $860/mo | 71% |
Budget math at the Atoka County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Atoka County's medians:
- $54,785 a year is $4,565 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $708 uses 16%
- At 35%, room after rent is $890 a month
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,346 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
People and households in Atoka County
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 19.2%, against 12.9% for Oklahoma.
| Atoka County | Oklahoma | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.9% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.0% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 19.2% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.5% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.3% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.3% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.9% |
| 60+ min | 12.9% |
Borrowing situations common in Atoka County
What the Atoka County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Health costs. With 19% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Commuter costs. 20% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 18% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
Checklist for Atoka County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Oklahoma license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Who licenses lenders for Atoka County residents
Consumer lenders serving Atoka County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Oklahoma that is the Oklahoma State Banking Department. The Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit handles consumer-credit questions as well. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Oklahoma state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Oklahoma guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Atoka County a high-income county?
Its $54,785 median ranks 50th of 77 Oklahoma counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Atoka County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $708 against $1,014 statewide, and 37% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Atoka County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Atoka, Tushka, Stringtown, Lane, Caney and 2 more.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Atoka County or elsewhere in Oklahoma, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Atoka County?
Start with the Oklahoma State Banking Department, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.