1st Advantage MortgageIn Beckham County, Oklahoma, the typical household earns $53,328 a year and the typical rent is $904. 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
- Who lives in Beckham County
- Income in Beckham County compared with Oklahoma
- What it costs to live in Beckham County
- The Beckham County job picture
- Places inside Beckham County
- Beckham County next to its neighbors
- Debt-to-income at Beckham County's medians
- People and households in Beckham County
- Reading the Beckham County data as a borrower
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in Oklahoma
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Beckham County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Beckham County's population at 22,148; only 37 of Oklahoma's 77 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 902 square miles, that works out to roughly 24.6 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Beckham County is not part of any metropolitan area. Elk City is the biggest of its 6 Census places, at roughly 11,361 people (51% of the county total).
Income in Beckham County compared with Oklahoma
Half of Beckham County households take in less than $53,328 a year and half take in more, 18% below the Oklahoma median of $65,039. That places it 54th among Oklahoma's 77 county-level areas.
| Band | Beckham County | Compared with Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.5% | +6.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.1% | +0.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.8% | -3.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.6% | -3.6 pts |
Some 33% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 21.7% of Beckham County residents in poverty, against 15.3% across Oklahoma. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.456 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
What it costs to live in Beckham County
A typical Beckham County rental runs $904 a month including utilities, which is 11% below Oklahoma. 49% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. With a median value of $143,500, a typical Beckham County house costs 2.7 times what the median household earns in a year. 68% of Beckham County households own their home and 32% rent. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Beckham County | Oklahoma statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $904/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $143,500 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 68% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 24% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 19% | 12% | n/a |
The Beckham County job picture
Education and health care employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 14%. Compared with Oklahoma, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (14% against 4%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 7.9% in Beckham County. 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 4% work from home. 5.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Beckham County | Gap to Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.2% | -4.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.7% | +10.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | -1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.9% | -0.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.7% | +1.6 pts |
| Construction | 7.0% | -0.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Places inside Beckham County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 78% of Beckham County residents live in one of the 6. Elk City has the highest median household income on the list ($51,272) and Erick the lowest ($32,955), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $708 in Erick to $943 in Elk City. No Beckham County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk City | city | 11,361 | $51,272 | $943 | 17 mi |
| Sayre | city | 4,796 | $41,227 | $752 | 4 mi |
| Erick | city | 799 | $32,955 | $708 | 11 mi |
| Carter | town | 210 | $65,313 | $1,031 | 11 mi |
| Sweetwater | town | 108 | $55,208 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Texola | town | 22 | $96,429 | n/a | 17 mi |
Beckham County next to its neighbors
Six nearby counties, 25 to 39 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Beckham County; Roger Mills County is highest at $66,094 and Harmon County lowest at $43,333. Some neighbors are in Texas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Beckham County resident follows Oklahoma rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckham County | - | $53,328 | $904/mo | 68% |
| Greer County, OK | 25 mi | $59,406 | $681/mo | 78% |
| Roger Mills County, OK | 30 mi | $66,094 | $795/mo | 83% |
| Wheeler County, TX | 33 mi | $60,167 | $970/mo | 76% |
| Harmon County, OK | 37 mi | $43,333 | $694/mo | 70% |
| Collingsworth County, TX | 39 mi | $61,280 | $714/mo | 74% |
| Washita County, OK | 39 mi | $63,501 | $815/mo | 76% |
Debt-to-income at Beckham County's medians
How much room does a median Beckham County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,444 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $904 uses 20%
- Under a 36% cap, $1,600 total minus rent leaves $696
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,007 a month
Two-income households and single earners in Beckham County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
People and households in Beckham County
13% of Beckham County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 11% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Beckham County | Oklahoma | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.1 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.9% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.2% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.9% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.2% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.4% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.7% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.9% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Beckham County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 63.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.8% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Reading the Beckham County data as a borrower
Where the Beckham County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 11% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Mobile home upkeep. 14% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Free help first. 22% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Renters under pressure. When 49% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Beckham County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Banking Department is the place to verify any lender's Oklahoma license. Oklahoma also has the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit for consumer credit. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. 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
What is the median household income in Beckham County?
$53,328 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $65,039 for Oklahoma. It ranks 54th of 77 in the state.
How does Beckham County rent compare with Oklahoma?
$904 locally versus $1,014 for the state, 11% below.
Which towns does the Beckham County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Elk City, Sayre, Erick, Carter, Sweetwater.
Does living in Beckham County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Beckham County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Beckham County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Oklahoma it is the Oklahoma State Banking Department.