1st Advantage MortgageThe median Latimer County household earns $41,405, and 21% 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
- Latimer County, OK: the basics
- Rent, home values and ownership in Latimer County
- What Latimer County households earn
- Jobs and commutes in Latimer County
- Places inside Latimer County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Budget math at the Latimer County median
- People and households in Latimer County
- Local borrowing considerations for Latimer County
- Licensing and complaints for Latimer County
- Steps before you apply in Latimer County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Latimer County, OK: the basics
Latimer County is home to about 9,518 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 58th most populous of 77 county-level areas in Oklahoma. Land area is 722 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 13 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 4 Census places inside Latimer County, Wilburton leads by population with about 2,602; 2 of the 4 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Latimer County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Rent, home values and ownership in Latimer County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $646 in Latimer County versus $1,014 statewide. 51% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $107,900, about 2.6 times the median household income. 72% of Latimer County households own their home and 28% rent. The median year built is 1983.
| Measure | Latimer County | Oklahoma | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $646/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $107,900 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 20.7% | 8.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 12% | n/a |
Because most Latimer County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
What Latimer County households earn
Half of Latimer County households take in less than $41,405 a year and half take in more, 36% below the Oklahoma median of $65,039.
| Household income | Latimer County | vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 40.7% | +14.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.2% | -1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.5% | -8.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.6% | -4.7 pts |
Some 41% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 17% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 20.7% of Latimer County residents in poverty, against 15.3% across Oklahoma. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.447 here. None of these numbers decides a Latimer County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Latimer County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 11%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 9% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.7% in Latimer County. About 87% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 3.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Latimer County share | +/- vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.8% | +0.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | -1.2 pts |
| Public administration | 9.3% | +3.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.1% | +5.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +0.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.1% | +2.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Latimer County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Places inside Latimer County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Latimer County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 3,413 residents, leaving about 64% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilburton | city | 2,602 | $38,971 | $660 | 3 mi |
| Red Oak | town | 539 | $35,463 | $713 | 12 mi |
| Gowen | CDP | 171 | n/a | $582 | 11 mi |
| Panola | CDP | 101 | $41,856 | n/a | 5 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (26 to 52 miles). Income ranges from $46,281 in McIntosh County to $55,310 in Pittsburg County; all six of these neighbors top Latimer County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latimer County | - | $41,405 | $646/mo | 72% |
| Haskell County, OK | 26 mi | $49,806 | $770/mo | 78% |
| Pittsburg County, OK | 27 mi | $55,310 | $860/mo | 71% |
| Le Flore County, OK | 33 mi | $51,565 | $798/mo | 73% |
| Pushmataha County, OK | 35 mi | $47,940 | $667/mo | 75% |
| McIntosh County, OK | 41 mi | $46,281 | $780/mo | 77% |
| Muskogee County, OK | 52 mi | $53,619 | $849/mo | 67% |
Budget math at the Latimer County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Latimer County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,450 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $646 uses 19%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $596 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Latimer County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
People and households in Latimer County
11% of Latimer County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 15.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Latimer County | Oklahoma | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 10.6% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.2% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.5% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.7% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.9% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.7% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.7% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Latimer County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.7% |
| 60+ min | 7.2% |
Local borrowing considerations for Latimer County
Based on the Latimer County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 16% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 21% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- 21% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Tight rental budgets. With 51% of Latimer County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Licensing and complaints for Latimer County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Latimer County resident can confirm its license with the Oklahoma State Banking Department. Oklahoma also has the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit for consumer credit. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Oklahoma: Oklahoma personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Latimer County
A short checklist for Latimer County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Oklahoma license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
The Oklahoma guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Latimer County earn?
The median is $41,405; 17% earn $100,000 or more and 41% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Latimer County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $646 a month; 51% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Latimer County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 72% of Latimer County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Latimer County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Wilburton, Red Oak, Gowen, Panola.
Is the fit check different in Latimer County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.