Median rent in Lincoln County is $794 a month against a median household income of $62,216, about 15% of income (ACS 2020-24). For a Lincoln County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the Oklahoma license.
On this page
- Lincoln County in brief
- Renting and owning in Lincoln County
- How much Lincoln County households make
- Lincoln County at the extremes
- Jobs and commutes in Lincoln County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Lincoln County
- Lincoln County next to its neighbors
- Age, degrees and coverage in Lincoln County
- Room for a loan payment in Lincoln County
- Local borrowing considerations for Lincoln County
- Checklist for Lincoln County applicants
- Lender oversight for Lincoln County
- Beyond Lincoln County
- Frequently asked questions
Lincoln County in brief
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Lincoln County's population at 34,219; only 29 of Oklahoma's 77 county-level areas are larger. Lincoln County spans 952 square miles; with 34,219 people, that is 35.9 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Oklahoma City, OK metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Chandler is the biggest of its 13 Census places, at roughly 2,899 people (8% of the county total).
Renting and owning in Lincoln County
Half of Lincoln County renters pay more than $794 a month and half pay less; the Oklahoma midpoint is $1,014. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 44% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $166,500, about 2.7 times the median household income. 80% of Lincoln County households own their home and 20% rent. The median year built is 1986.
| Cost | Lincoln County | Oklahoma figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $794/mo | $1,014/mo | 22% lower |
| Median home value | $166,500 | $199,800 | 17% lower |
| Owners | 80% | 66% | +14.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 46% | -2.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 24% | +1.1 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like Lincoln 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.
How much Lincoln County households make
$62,216 is the median household income for Lincoln County, set against $65,039 for Oklahoma. That places it 26th among Oklahoma's 77 county-level areas.
| Band | Lincoln County | Compared with Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.8% | +3.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.8% | -2.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.1% | +0.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.3% | -1.9 pts |
Six-figure households (29%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (30%) in Lincoln County. Lincoln County counts about 5,910 residents below the poverty line, 17.3% of the population. A household earning below the $62,216 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Lincoln County at the extremes
Ranked against the other 76 county-level areas in Oklahoma, these are the Lincoln County figures furthest from the middle.
- The share of commutes over 45 minutes: 29% in Lincoln County, the highest of 77 in Oklahoma. Long drives make car repairs a common emergency; get two written quotes.
- Few Oklahoma counties match Lincoln County on the share of mobile homes: 21.4% here, 8.2% for the state, ranking 5th highest of 77. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
- Homeownership: 80% in Lincoln County. Only 8 of 77 Oklahoma counties are higher. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
Jobs and commutes in Lincoln County
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. Compared with Oklahoma, the county leans toward construction (11% against 7%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.9% in Lincoln County. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 29%; under 15 minutes: 29%.
| Top industries | Lincoln County share | +/- vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.8% | -3.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.3% | +0.6 pts |
| Construction | 11.4% | +4.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.3% | -0.9 pts |
| Public administration | 8.2% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.8% | -1.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Lincoln County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Lincoln County
12,291 of Lincoln County's 34,219 residents live in its 13 Census places (36%); the 13 largest are listed. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $41,190 in Meeker to $61,250 in Stroud. Rent is cheapest in Stroud ($761) and steepest in Davenport ($950). Live in one of these Lincoln County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler | city | 2,899 | $46,645 | $904 | 3 mi |
| Stroud | city | 2,793 | $61,250 | $761 | 14 mi |
| Prague | city | 2,155 | $50,893 | $806 | 18 mi |
| Meeker | town | 1,172 | $41,190 | $771 | 15 mi |
| Wellston | town | 902 | $60,137 | $814 | 10 mi |
| Davenport | town | 674 | $46,838 | $950 | 7 mi |
| Carney | town | 562 | $47,813 | $790 | 10 mi |
| Tryon | town | 372 | $42,813 | $675 | 13 mi |
| Agra | town | 335 | $48,500 | $825 | 13 mi |
| Warwick | town | 202 | n/a | $675 | 7 mi |
| Sparks | town | 113 | $46,667 | $600 | 7 mi |
| Kendrick | town | 108 | $85,625 | $1,250 | 8 mi |
| Fallis | town | 4 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
Lincoln County next to its neighbors
Payne County is closest, 27 miles from center to center; the sixth, Okfuskee County, is 35 miles off. Richest neighbor: Logan County, $83,899. Poorest: Okfuskee County, $48,363. Lincoln County: $62,216.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln County | - | $62,216 | $794/mo | 80% |
| Payne County, OK | 27 mi | $49,809 | $917/mo | 51% |
| Oklahoma County, OK | 31 mi | $66,679 | $1,116/mo | 58% |
| Creek County, OK | 31 mi | $62,338 | $936/mo | 74% |
| Pottawatomie County, OK | 34 mi | $61,398 | $894/mo | 70% |
| Logan County, OK | 35 mi | $83,899 | $891/mo | 85% |
| Okfuskee County, OK | 35 mi | $48,363 | $716/mo | 69% |
Age, degrees and coverage in Lincoln County
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. 12.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Lincoln County | Compared with Oklahoma | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.1% | -12.2 pts | -6.0 pts |
| Median age | 41.5 | +4.5 yrs | +0.0 yrs |
| No vehicle | 3.4% | -2.2 pts | -2.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 17.3% | +1.9 pts | +4.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.9% | -1.1 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Work from home | 10.4% | +1.0 pts | +1.7 pts |
| No health insurance | 12.0% | -0.9 pts | +4.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.9% | +0.3 pts | n/a |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 16.9% |
| 60+ min | 12.5% |
Room for a loan payment in Lincoln County
Lincoln County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,185 gross per month ($62,216 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $794 uses 15%
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,435 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Lincoln County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
Local borrowing considerations for Lincoln County
Where the Lincoln County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 12% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Long drives. With 29% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Lincoln County budgets.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 21% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
Checklist for Lincoln County applicants
Steps that save money for Lincoln County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Lincoln County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Lender oversight for Lincoln County
Consumer lenders serving Lincoln County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Oklahoma that is the Oklahoma State Banking Department. The Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit handles consumer-credit questions as well. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Oklahoma: Oklahoma personal loans.
Beyond Lincoln County
For statewide rules and data, see the Oklahoma guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Lincoln County rank on income in Oklahoma?
26th of 77, with a median of $62,216. The state median is $65,039.
What is the median rent in Lincoln County, OK?
$794 a month, utilities included, or $9,528 a year.
I live near Chandler. Which guide is mine?
This one. Chandler and the rest of Lincoln County have no separate city guide.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Lincoln County or elsewhere in Oklahoma, the same rules apply.
What agency protects Lincoln County borrowers?
The Oklahoma State Banking Department at the state level and the CFPB federally.