1st Advantage MortgageIn Craig County, Oklahoma, the typical household earns $51,922 a year and the typical rent is $810. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Craig County, OK: the basics
- How much Craig County households make
- Employment and commuting in Craig County
- Housing costs in Craig County
- Craig County and the counties next door
- The communities that make up Craig County
- People and households in Craig County
- Before borrowing in Craig County
- Budget math at the Craig County median
- Licensing and complaints for Craig County
- A Craig County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Craig County, OK: the basics
Craig County is home to about 14,302 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 47th most populous of 77 county-level areas in Oklahoma. Land area is 761 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 19 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Craig County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (4 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Vinita, with about 5,300 residents, or 37% of the county.
How much Craig County households make
Craig County households have a median income of $51,922 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 59th of 77 in Oklahoma.
| Yearly household income | Craig County | Gap to Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.6% | +7.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.5% | +4.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.7% | -7.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -4.0 pts |
About 34% of households earn under $35,000, while 19% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 19.0%, 4 points higher than the state's 15.3%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.438 here. A household earning below the $51,922 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Craig County
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 10%. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 28% locally and 23% for Oklahoma. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.1% in Craig County. 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home. Households without a car make up 5.5% of the total (5.6% statewide).
| Sector | Craig County | Compared with Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.9% | +4.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.6% | +0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.4% | -2.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.2% | +3.1 pts |
| Construction | 6.7% | -0.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.6% | +3.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Housing costs in Craig County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $810 in Craig County versus $1,014 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 38% of renter households here. Home values center on $150,500, or 2.9 years of median income. 74% of Craig County households own their home and 26% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1974.
| Craig County | Oklahoma | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $810/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $150,500 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 24% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Craig 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.
Craig County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (23 to 34 miles). Income ranges from $49,947 in Ottawa County to $60,305 in Mayes County; 5 of these neighbors top Craig County's median. Some neighbors are in Kansas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Craig County resident follows Oklahoma rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craig County | - | $51,922 | $810/mo | 74% |
| Ottawa County, OK | 23 mi | $49,947 | $788/mo | 68% |
| Nowata County, OK | 23 mi | $54,333 | $811/mo | 74% |
| Labette County, KS | 30 mi | $56,325 | $746/mo | 74% |
| Mayes County, OK | 32 mi | $60,305 | $858/mo | 74% |
| Delaware County, OK | 34 mi | $56,676 | $913/mo | 77% |
| Cherokee County, KS | 34 mi | $57,668 | $799/mo | 76% |
The communities that make up Craig County
5 Census places fall mainly inside Craig County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 6,635 residents, leaving about 54% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinita | city | 5,300 | $47,025 | $828 | 11 mi |
| Welch | town | 661 | $35,813 | $554 | 10 mi |
| White Oak | CDP | 242 | $51,675 | $688 | 11 mi |
| Bluejacket | town | 237 | $53,438 | $950 | 7 mi |
| Big Cabin | town | 195 | $45,208 | $1,011 | 16 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
People and households in Craig County
Degree holders: 15% of adults over 25. 14.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Craig County | Oklahoma | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.3% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.7% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.9% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.5% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.0% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.1% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Craig County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.1% |
| 60+ min | 7.7% |
Before borrowing in Craig County
Where the Craig County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 15% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 19% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
Budget math at the Craig County median
Here is the Craig County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $4,327 gross per month ($51,922 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $810, takes 19% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $1,558 total minus rent leaves $748
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Licensing and complaints for Craig County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Craig County resident can confirm its license with the Oklahoma State Banking Department. Consumer lending in Oklahoma is also overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Oklahoma guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Craig County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Craig County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Craig County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Craig County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Oklahoma borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Oklahoma guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Craig County earn?
The median is $51,922; 19% earn $100,000 or more and 34% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Craig County rent compare with Oklahoma?
$810 locally versus $1,014 for the state, 20% below.
Which towns does the Craig County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Vinita, Welch, White Oak, Bluejacket, Big Cabin.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Craig County or elsewhere in Oklahoma, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Craig County?
Start with the Oklahoma State Banking Department, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.