1st Advantage MortgageIn Carter County, Oklahoma, the typical household earns $60,723 a year and the typical rent is $980. 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 Carter County
- What it costs to live in Carter County
- How much Carter County households make
- Jobs and commutes in Carter County
- The communities that make up Carter County
- Counties near Carter County
- Carter County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Carter County borrowers
- Budget math at the Carter County median
- Four steps for Carter County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Carter County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Carter County
Carter County is home to about 48,555 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 17th most populous of 77 county-level areas in Oklahoma. It covers 822 square miles of land, or about 59 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 10 places in the county (9 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Ardmore, with about 24,877 residents, or 51% of the county.
What it costs to live in Carter County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $980 in Carter County versus $1,014 statewide. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 22% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,500, about 2.8 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 67%. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Carter County | Oklahoma | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $980/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $168,500 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 67% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 12.1% | 8.2% | n/a |
How much Carter County households make
Carter County households have a median income of $60,723 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 35th of 77 in Oklahoma.
| Households earning | Carter County | +/- vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.4% | +3.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.1% | -0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | -1.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.0% | -1.2 pts |
Some 29% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 16.2% of Carter County residents in poverty, against 15.3% across Oklahoma. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.473 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 Carter County median.
Jobs and commutes in Carter County
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. Compared with Oklahoma, the county leans toward retail trade (14% against 12%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.8% in Carter County. Long commutes are the exception here: 10% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 4.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Carter County | Difference from Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.0% | -2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.5% | +2.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.7% | +2.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.6% | +1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.5% | +1.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.6% | -2.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
The communities that make up Carter County
10 Census places fall mainly inside Carter County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 36,853 residents, leaving about 24% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Dickson has the highest median household income on the list ($81,250) and Healdton the lowest ($51,286), counting places with at least 500 residents. None of the 10 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ardmore | city | 24,877 | $53,900 | $1,006 | 10 mi |
| Lone Grove | city | 5,125 | $74,265 | $875 | 5 mi |
| Healdton | city | 2,495 | $51,286 | $891 | 11 mi |
| Wilson | city | 1,725 | $60,625 | $869 | 10 mi |
| Dickson | town | 1,231 | $81,250 | $1,099 | 17 mi |
| Springer | town | 854 | $58,625 | $946 | 10 mi |
| Gene Autry | town | 224 | $63,125 | $650 | 15 mi |
| Tatums | town | 164 | $43,750 | $825 | 19 mi |
| Ratliff City | town | 95 | $29,375 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Fox | CDP | 63 | $63,194 | $860 | 14 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Counties near Carter County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (20 to 36 miles). 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Carter County; Love County is highest at $66,580 and Jefferson County lowest at $48,668.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carter County | - | $60,723 | $980/mo | 67% |
| Murray County, OK | 20 mi | $66,322 | $881/mo | 72% |
| Love County, OK | 20 mi | $66,580 | $939/mo | 73% |
| Garvin County, OK | 32 mi | $58,556 | $825/mo | 68% |
| Jefferson County, OK | 33 mi | $48,668 | $647/mo | 71% |
| Marshall County, OK | 33 mi | $57,245 | $824/mo | 78% |
| Stephens County, OK | 36 mi | $61,620 | $895/mo | 74% |
Carter County residents: age, schooling, coverage
20% of Carter County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 14% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Carter County | Oklahoma | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.3 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.9% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.0% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.3% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.0% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.2% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.8% |
| 60+ min | 6.1% |
What the numbers mean for Carter County borrowers
What the Carter County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Carter County. For the 14% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 12% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Budget math at the Carter County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Carter County's medians:
- Start: $5,060 gross per month ($60,723 / 12)
- Less median rent of $980, which is 19% of it
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,196 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Four steps for Carter County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Carter County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Carter County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Oklahoma borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Who licenses lenders for Carter County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Carter County borrowers answers to the Oklahoma State Banking Department. Consumer lending in Oklahoma is also overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Oklahoma guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Oklahoma guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carter County a high-income county?
Its $60,723 median ranks 35th of 77 Oklahoma counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Carter County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $980 against $1,014 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Carter County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 10 Census places: Ardmore, Lone Grove, Healdton, Wilson, Dickson.
Are Carter County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Carter County check a lender's license?
With the Oklahoma State Banking Department. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.