1st Advantage MortgageJohnston County (10,278 residents) has a $52,688 median household income and $762 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Johnston County, and confirm each one's Oklahoma license.
On this page
- First look: Johnston County, OK
- Where Johnston County differs from the rest of Oklahoma
- Housing costs in Johnston County
- Employment and commuting in Johnston County
- Paychecks and income spread in Johnston County
- Johnston County, Marshall County and other neighbors
- Places inside Johnston County
- A Johnston County household budget, worked through
- Age, degrees and coverage in Johnston County
- Borrowing situations common in Johnston County
- A Johnston County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Johnston County
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Johnston County, OK
With an estimated 10,278 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Johnston County ranks 56th of 77 in Oklahoma for population. Density: about 16.0 residents per square mile across 643 square miles of land. No metropolitan area includes Johnston County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Tishomingo is the biggest of its 14 Census places, at roughly 3,083 people (30% of the county total).
Where Johnston County differs from the rest of Oklahoma
Ranked against the other 76 county-level areas in Oklahoma, these are the Johnston County figures furthest from the middle.
- Johnston County ranks 5th highest of 77 Oklahoma counties for the poverty rate: 22.9%, against 15.3% statewide. Nonprofit credit counseling is free or low cost and worth a call first.
- Johnston County ranks 14th highest of 77 Oklahoma counties for the share of mobile homes: 18.7%, against 8.2% statewide. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
Housing costs in Johnston County
Johnston County rent at the median: $762 a month, utilities in ($1,014 in Oklahoma). By the Census definition, 40% of Johnston County renters are cost-burdened. Median value $116,500; median income $52,688; ratio 2.2. Homeowners 72%, renters 28%. Half the housing stock was built before 1983.
| Housing | Johnston County | Oklahoma statewide | Johnston County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 46% | -6.5 pts |
| Owners | 72% | 66% | +6.4 pts |
| Median home value | $116,500 | $199,800 | 42% lower |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 24% | -3.7 pts |
| Median gross rent | $762/mo | $1,014/mo | 25% lower |
With 72% of Johnston County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Employment and commuting in Johnston County
Education and health care (27%), retail trade (12%) and manufacturing (11%) lead Johnston County's job mix. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 9% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.5% in Johnston County. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 14%; under 15 minutes: 35%. No car: 5.7% of Johnston County households.
| Top industries | Johnston County share | +/- vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.1% | +3.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.4% | +0.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.4% | +5.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -1.6 pts |
| Public administration | 6.8% | +0.5 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Johnston County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Paychecks and income spread in Johnston County
Half of Johnston County households take in less than $52,688 a year and half take in more, 19% below the Oklahoma median of $65,039. Only 56 Oklahoma counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Johnston County | Difference from Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.1% | +7.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.9% | -0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.8% | -3.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -4.0 pts |
34% under $35,000 and 23% at $100,000 or more: that is the Johnston County income split. Johnston County counts about 2,353 residents below the poverty line, 22.9% of the population. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.442 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Johnston County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Johnston County, Marshall County and other neighbors
Six nearby counties, 21 to 36 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Murray County leads the group on income ($66,322), Coal County trails ($50,423), and Johnston County out-earns 1 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnston County | - | $52,688 | $762/mo | 72% |
| Marshall County, OK | 21 mi | $57,245 | $824/mo | 78% |
| Murray County, OK | 27 mi | $66,322 | $881/mo | 72% |
| Coal County, OK | 28 mi | $50,423 | $722/mo | 69% |
| Pontotoc County, OK | 28 mi | $63,017 | $889/mo | 66% |
| Bryan County, OK | 33 mi | $57,225 | $960/mo | 64% |
| Atoka County, OK | 36 mi | $54,785 | $708/mo | 74% |
Places inside Johnston County
The table lists the 14 largest of 14 Census places in Johnston County, by population. Together all 14 hold about 6,295 people, so roughly 39% of residents live outside any named place. Tishomingo and every other Johnston County community use this county guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tishomingo | city | 3,083 | $40,052 | $657 | 5 mi |
| Mannsville | town | 913 | $50,577 | $938 | 16 mi |
| Ravia | town | 491 | $60,000 | $862 | 8 mi |
| Wapanucka | town | 432 | $35,417 | $688 | 14 mi |
| Coleman | CDP | 287 | $42,917 | $850 | 14 mi |
| Mill Creek | town | 278 | $38,438 | $794 | 12 mi |
| Milburn | town | 262 | $42,292 | $950 | 8 mi |
| Bee | CDP | 160 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Bromide | town | 133 | $32,031 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Pontotoc | CDP | 76 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Emet | CDP | 64 | $52,083 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Earl | CDP | 60 | $85,625 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Reagan | CDP | 46 | $43,333 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Connerville | CDP | 10 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
A Johnston County household budget, worked through
Johnston County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,391 before taxes
- Median rent: $762, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,126: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $762, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Age, degrees and coverage in Johnston County
Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. 14.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Johnston County | vs Oklahoma | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.5% | -7.9 pts | -1.7 pts |
| Poverty rate | 22.9% | +7.6 pts | +9.7 pts |
| Work from home | 5.8% | -3.6 pts | -2.9 pts |
| Median age | 39.3 | +2.3 yrs | -2.2 yrs |
| No health insurance | 14.7% | +1.8 pts | +6.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 12.2% | +1.6 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | -0.5 pts | +0.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | +0.1 pts | +0.2 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 34.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.7% |
| 60+ min | 7.3% |
Borrowing situations common in Johnston County
What the Johnston County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 15% of Johnston County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Manufactured housing (19%). Johnston County owners should get two written repair quotes before borrowing.
- Help that costs nothing. About 2,353 Johnston County residents live in poverty; see free options before a loan.
A Johnston County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Johnston County:
- Price the Johnston County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Johnston County-area credit union.
- Verify the Oklahoma license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Licensing and complaints for Johnston County
Consumer lenders serving Johnston County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Oklahoma that is the Oklahoma State Banking Department. Oklahoma also has the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit for consumer credit. If a Johnston County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. More on Oklahoma: Oklahoma personal loans.
Keep exploring
No city in Johnston County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Johnston County earn?
The median is $52,688; 23% earn $100,000 or more and 34% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Johnston County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $762 a month; 40% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Johnston County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Tishomingo, Mannsville, Ravia, Wapanucka, Coleman and 9 more.
Are Johnston 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.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Johnston County?
Look it up with the Oklahoma State Banking Department, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.