1st Advantage MortgageThe median Cleveland County household earns $77,068, and 13% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Cleveland County by the numbers
- Paychecks and income spread in Cleveland County
- Jobs and commutes in Cleveland County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Cleveland County
- The counties around Cleveland County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Cleveland County
- People and households in Cleveland County
- Local borrowing considerations for Cleveland County
- Room for a loan payment in Cleveland County
- Checklist for Cleveland County applicants
- Oklahoma rules that apply in Cleveland County
- More guides for Cleveland County
- Frequently asked questions
Cleveland County by the numbers
With an estimated 300,047 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Cleveland County ranks 3rd of 77 in Oklahoma for population. Land area is 539 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 557 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Oklahoma City, OK metropolitan area. Of the 6 Census places inside Cleveland County, Norman leads by population with about 129,672; 6 of the 6 are incorporated.
Paychecks and income spread in Cleveland County
The median household income in Cleveland County is $77,068; statewide it is $65,039, so Cleveland County runs 18% above Oklahoma as a whole. Only 5 Oklahoma counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Cleveland County | Gap to Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.7% | -5.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.1% | -1.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.0% | +5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.2% | +1.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 37% of Cleveland County households make $100,000 or more, and 21% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 12.9%, 2 points lower than the state's 15.3%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.439 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jobs and commutes in Cleveland County
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. Education and health care stands out: 26% of workers here, versus 23% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 75% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.3% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Cleveland County | Difference from Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.5% | +2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.4% | +0.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.5% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.5% | +0.5 pts |
| Public administration | 8.1% | +1.8 pts |
| Construction | 6.7% | -0.6 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Cleveland County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Rent, home values and ownership in Cleveland County
A typical Cleveland County rental runs $1,167 a month including utilities, which is 15% above Oklahoma. By the Census definition, 48% of Cleveland County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $235,700, or 3.1 years of median income. The ownership rate is 64%.
| Measure | Cleveland County | Oklahoma | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,167/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $235,700 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 64% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.5% | 8.2% | n/a |
The counties around Cleveland County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Cleveland County's, from 15 to 41 miles away. McClain County leads the group on income ($84,552), Seminole County trails ($48,062), and Cleveland County out-earns 5 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland County | - | $77,068 | $1,167/mo | 64% |
| McClain County, OK | 15 mi | $84,552 | $954/mo | 79% |
| Pottawatomie County, OK | 21 mi | $61,398 | $894/mo | 70% |
| Oklahoma County, OK | 25 mi | $66,679 | $1,116/mo | 58% |
| Grady County, OK | 34 mi | $75,419 | $883/mo | 75% |
| Garvin County, OK | 34 mi | $58,556 | $825/mo | 68% |
| Seminole County, OK | 41 mi | $48,062 | $752/mo | 71% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Cleveland County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Cleveland County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 206,946 residents, leaving about 31% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Noble has the highest median household income on the list ($81,739) and Lexington the lowest ($46,932), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $960 in Lexington to $1,340 in Moore. Linked names have their own city guide; this page covers every other Cleveland County community.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norman | city | 129,672 | $67,704 | $1,090 | 3 mi |
| Moore | city | 63,420 | $80,420 | $1,340 | 12 mi |
| Noble | city | 7,493 | $81,739 | $1,038 | 6 mi |
| Slaughterville | town | 4,251 | $72,944 | $1,014 | 8 mi |
| Lexington | city | 1,972 | $46,932 | $960 | 13 mi |
| Etowah | town | 138 | $55,313 | n/a | 10 mi |
People and households in Cleveland County
36% of Cleveland County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Cleveland County | Oklahoma | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.4 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 36.2% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.6% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.7% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.3% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.4% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 40.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.9% |
Local borrowing considerations for Cleveland County
What the Cleveland County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Tight rental budgets. With 48% of Cleveland County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Cleveland County borrower sees (free reports).
Room for a loan payment in Cleveland County
Here is the Cleveland County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Cleveland County: $6,422
- 18% goes to median rent ($1,167)
- Under a 40% cap, $2,569 total minus rent leaves $1,402
Two-income households and single earners in Cleveland County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Checklist for Cleveland County applicants
A short checklist for Cleveland County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Oklahoma borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Oklahoma rules that apply in Cleveland County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Cleveland County resident can confirm its license with the Oklahoma State Banking Department. The Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit handles consumer-credit questions as well. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Oklahoma guide.
More guides for Cleveland County
More local guides:
Frequently asked questions
Is Cleveland County a high-income county?
Its $77,068 median ranks 6th of 77 Oklahoma counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Cleveland County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,167 against $1,014 statewide, and 48% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Cleveland County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Norman, Moore, Noble, Slaughterville, Lexington.
Is the fit check different in Cleveland County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Cleveland County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Oklahoma it is the Oklahoma State Banking Department.