1st Advantage MortgageThe median Harmon County household earns $43,333, and 23% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Oklahoma license first.
On this page
- Harmon County, OK: the basics
- Income in Harmon County compared with Oklahoma
- Jobs and commutes in Harmon County
- Harmon County housing compared with Oklahoma
- Places inside Harmon County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Budget math at the Harmon County median
- Reading the Harmon County data as a borrower
- People and households in Harmon County
- Checking a lender's license in Oklahoma
- Four steps for Harmon County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Harmon County, OK: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Harmon County's population at 2,406; only 75 of Oklahoma's 77 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 537 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 4 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Hollis, with about 1,664 residents, or 69% of the county. Because Harmon County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Income in Harmon County compared with Oklahoma
Half of Harmon County households take in less than $43,333 a year and half take in more, 33% below the Oklahoma median of $65,039.
| Household income | Harmon County | vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 39.9% | +13.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.1% | -1.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 11.7% | -11.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.2% | -1.0 pts |
About 40% of households earn under $35,000, while 18% clear $100,000. 22.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 15.3%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.520 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $43,333 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Jobs and commutes in Harmon County
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 21%. Compared with Oklahoma, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (28% against 4%). The survey's unemployment rate for Harmon County averages 7.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.0%). 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home.
| Sector | Harmon County | Compared with Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 27.8% | +24.2 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.8% | -2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.9% | -3.9 pts |
| Public administration | 5.9% | -0.4 pts |
| Other services | 5.8% | +0.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.2% | -4.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Harmon County housing compared with Oklahoma
Renters in Harmon County pay a median of $694 a month, 32% below the Oklahoma figure of $1,014. 35% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 10% spend half or more. With a median value of $79,700, a typical Harmon County house costs 1.8 times what the median household earns in a year. 70% of Harmon County households own their home and 30% rent. Median construction year: 1964.
| Measure | Harmon County | Oklahoma | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $694/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $79,700 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.5% | 8.2% | n/a |
Places inside Harmon County
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 72% of Harmon County residents live in one of the 2. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollis | city | 1,664 | $38,672 | $736 | 6 mi |
| Gould | town | 62 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 37 miles). Hardeman County leads the group on income ($63,333), Beckham County trails ($53,328), and Harmon County out-earns 0 of the six. The list crosses into Texas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harmon County | - | $43,333 | $694/mo | 70% |
| Greer County, OK | 21 mi | $59,406 | $681/mo | 78% |
| Childress County, TX | 26 mi | $58,654 | $913/mo | 71% |
| Jackson County, OK | 27 mi | $62,799 | $842/mo | 59% |
| Collingsworth County, TX | 29 mi | $61,280 | $714/mo | 74% |
| Hardeman County, TX | 32 mi | $63,333 | $684/mo | 74% |
| Beckham County, OK | 37 mi | $53,328 | $904/mo | 68% |
Budget math at the Harmon County median
Here is the Harmon County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,611 before taxes
- Less median rent of $694, which is 19% of it
- At 40%, room after rent is $750 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Reading the Harmon County data as a borrower
Based on the Harmon County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 19% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Free help first. 23% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
People and households in Harmon County
13% of Harmon County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 19% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Harmon County | Oklahoma | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.3 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.4% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 19.8% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.7% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.8% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.8% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 22.7% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.2% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 60.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.3% |
| 60+ min | 3.4% |
Checking a lender's license in Oklahoma
Before sharing details with a lender, a Harmon County resident can confirm its license with the Oklahoma State Banking Department. Oklahoma also has the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit for consumer credit. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Oklahoma guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Harmon County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Oklahoma borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Oklahoma guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Harmon County household make?
About $43,333 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 33% below the Oklahoma median.
What do renters pay in Harmon County?
$694 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
I live in a small Harmon County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Hollis, Gould.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Harmon County or elsewhere in Oklahoma, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Harmon County residents?
The Oklahoma State Banking Department licenses consumer lenders in Oklahoma; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.