1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Hughes County is $660 a month against a median household income of $51,581, about 15% of income (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Hughes County, and confirm each one's Oklahoma license.
On this page
- Who lives in Hughes County
- How Hughes County ranks in Oklahoma
- Homes and rents, Hughes County
- Paychecks and income spread in Hughes County
- Where Hughes County works
- Hughes County and the counties next door
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Hughes County
- Reading the Hughes County data as a borrower
- People and households in Hughes County
- Room for a loan payment in Hughes County
- Steps before you apply in Hughes County
- Oklahoma lender licensing
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Hughes County
Hughes County is home to about 13,389 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 50th most populous of 77 county-level areas in Oklahoma. Land area is 804 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 17 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Holdenville (5,902 people) heads the county's list of 12 Census places, 12 incorporated and 0 census-designated.
How Hughes County ranks in Oklahoma
Where Hughes County lands at the extremes of Oklahoma's county rankings:
- On the share of workers who work from home, Hughes County sits near the top of Oklahoma at 13.0%, 2nd highest of 77. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
- Hughes County ranks 3rd lowest of 77 Oklahoma counties for median gross rent: $660/mo, against $1,014/mo statewide. Cheaper housing gives many renters more slack in a budget.
- Hughes County ranks 6th highest of 77 Oklahoma counties for the housing vacancy rate: 30%, against 12% statewide. High vacancy often reflects seasonal or second homes.
Homes and rents, Hughes County
Hughes County rent at the median: $660 a month, utilities in ($1,014 in Oklahoma). Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 39% in Hughes County, 46% statewide. Median value $102,000; median income $51,581; ratio 2.0. 74% of Hughes County households own their home and 26% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1971.
| Measure | Hughes County | Oklahoma | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 30% | 12% | +18.2 pts |
| Owners | 74% | 66% | +8.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 46% | -7.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 15.7% | 8.2% | +7.5 pts |
| Median home value | $102,000 | $199,800 | 49% lower |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 24% | +4.7 pts |
| Median gross rent | $660/mo | $1,014/mo | 35% lower |
Hughes County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side).
Paychecks and income spread in Hughes County
At $51,581, the typical Hughes County household income is 21% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 60th among Oklahoma's 77 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Hughes County | Gap to Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.4% | +10.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.6% | +2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.8% | -7.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.2% | -5.0 pts |
36% under $35,000 and 18% at $100,000 or more: that is the Hughes County income split. The poverty rate is 20.2%, 5 points higher than the state's 15.3%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Hughes County median.
Where Hughes County works
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; public administration is next with 13%. Compared with Oklahoma, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (12% against 4%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.9% in Hughes County. About 76% drive to work alone and 16% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 129 Hughes County households, 3.2%, have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Hughes County share | +/- vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.9% | -1.4 pts |
| Public administration | 13.2% | +7.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.8% | +8.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.3% | +0.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | +1.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.9% | -3.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Hughes County and the counties next door
Seminole County is closest, 21 miles from center to center; the sixth, McIntosh County, is 39 miles off. Income ranges from $46,281 in McIntosh County to $63,017 in Pontotoc County; 2 of these neighbors top Hughes County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hughes County | - | $51,581 | $660/mo | 74% |
| Seminole County, OK | 21 mi | $48,062 | $752/mo | 71% |
| Okfuskee County, OK | 29 mi | $48,363 | $716/mo | 69% |
| Pittsburg County, OK | 30 mi | $55,310 | $860/mo | 71% |
| Coal County, OK | 33 mi | $50,423 | $722/mo | 69% |
| Pontotoc County, OK | 34 mi | $63,017 | $889/mo | 66% |
| McIntosh County, OK | 39 mi | $46,281 | $780/mo | 77% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Hughes County
The table lists the 12 largest of 12 Census places in Hughes County, by population. Together all 12 hold about 9,544 people, so roughly 29% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $27,058 in Wetumka to $46,250 in Holdenville. Holdenville and every other Hughes County community use this county guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holdenville | city | 5,902 | $46,250 | $665 | 9 mi |
| Wetumka | city | 1,234 | $27,058 | $570 | 13 mi |
| Allen | town | 883 | $41,696 | $1,041 | 15 mi |
| Dustin | town | 360 | $31,667 | $617 | 20 mi |
| Calvin | town | 353 | $56,250 | $595 | 6 mi |
| Stuart | town | 198 | $66,250 | $830 | 14 mi |
| Lamar | town | 160 | $46,250 | $800 | 8 mi |
| Spaulding | town | 125 | $40,625 | $696 | 11 mi |
| Horntown | town | 89 | $73,750 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Atwood | town | 84 | n/a | $708 | 8 mi |
| Gerty | town | 83 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
| Yeager | town | 73 | $55,875 | n/a | 9 mi |
Reading the Hughes County data as a borrower
Where the Hughes County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 14% of Hughes County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 16% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Help that costs nothing. About 2,706 Hughes County residents live in poverty; see free options before a loan.
People and households in Hughes County
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. About 14% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Hughes County | Compared with Oklahoma | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.0% | -12.3 pts | -6.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 20.2% | +4.9 pts | +7.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 15.4% | +4.8 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 13.0% | +3.7 pts | +4.4 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | -2.4 pts | -2.2 pts |
| Median age | 38.8 | +1.8 yrs | -2.7 yrs |
| No health insurance | 14.4% | +1.5 pts | +6.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 0.0 pts | +0.5 pts |
| Commute length | Hughes County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.5% |
| 60+ min | 7.1% |
Room for a loan payment in Hughes County
Hughes County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Hughes County: $4,298
- Less median rent of $660, which is 15% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $887 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Hughes County's.
Steps before you apply in Hughes County
A short checklist for Hughes County borrowers:
- Price the Hughes County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Oklahoma lender licensing
Before sharing details with a lender, a Hughes County resident can confirm its license with the Oklahoma State Banking Department. Oklahoma also has the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit for consumer credit. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Oklahoma state guide for the statewide picture.
Keep exploring
Next step up from Hughes County:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Hughes County?
$51,581 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $65,039 for Oklahoma. It ranks 60th of 77 in the state.
What do renters pay in Hughes County?
$660 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Hughes County?
By population: Holdenville, Wetumka, Allen, Dustin, Calvin. The county has 12 Census places in all.
Will a Hughes County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Oklahoma as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Hughes 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.