1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in McCurtain County is $700 a month against a median household income of $51,929, about 16% of income (ACS 2020-24). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every McCurtain County offer.
On this page
- McCurtain County, OK: the basics
- McCurtain County income bands
- What stands out in McCurtain County
- How McCurtain County residents earn a living
- Homes and rents, McCurtain County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Cities, towns and CDPs in McCurtain County
- Before borrowing in McCurtain County
- Debt-to-income at McCurtain County's medians
- People and households in McCurtain County
- Lender oversight for McCurtain County
- Checklist for McCurtain County applicants
- Beyond McCurtain County
- Frequently asked questions
McCurtain County, OK: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts McCurtain County's population at 30,863; only 30 of Oklahoma's 77 county-level areas are larger. Its 1,851 square miles average 17 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 11 Census places inside McCurtain County, Idabel leads by population with about 6,987; 9 of the 11 are incorporated.
McCurtain County income bands
Half of McCurtain County households take in less than $51,929 a year and half take in more, 20% below the Oklahoma median of $65,039.
| Households earning | McCurtain County | +/- vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.4% | +8.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.7% | +0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.6% | -3.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.3% | -4.9 pts |
Six-figure households (22%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (34%) in McCurtain County. Poverty rate, McCurtain County: 21.2%; Oklahoma: 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 McCurtain County median.
What stands out in McCurtain County
Where McCurtain County lands at the extremes of Oklahoma's county rankings:
- On median gross rent, McCurtain County sits near the bottom of Oklahoma at $700/mo, 10th lowest of 77. Lower rent can leave more room for a payment.
- On households without a vehicle, McCurtain County sits near the top of Oklahoma at 7.2%, 11th highest of 77. Without a car, transit and ride costs belong in the budget before any payment.
- On the poverty rate, McCurtain County sits near the top of Oklahoma at 21.2%, 11th highest of 77. Free help, such as utility and rent assistance, should come before any loan.
How McCurtain County residents earn a living
Top McCurtain County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 21%; second, manufacturing, 18%. Compared with Oklahoma, the county leans toward manufacturing (18% against 9%). The survey's unemployment rate for McCurtain County averages 4.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.0%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 16%; under 15 minutes: 40%. Households without a car make up 7.2% of the total (5.6% statewide).
| Top industries | McCurtain County share | +/- vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.4% | -1.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.3% | +9.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | -0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.8% | +0.8 pts |
| Construction | 8.3% | +0.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.6% | -0.5 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Homes and rents, McCurtain County
Renters in McCurtain County pay a median of $700 a month, 31% below the Oklahoma figure of $1,014. By the Census definition, 41% of McCurtain County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $144,500, about 2.8 times the median household income. 73% of McCurtain County households own their home and 27% rent. The median year built is 1983.
| McCurtain County | Oklahoma | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant units | 20% | 12% | +8.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 15.6% | 8.2% | +7.3 pts |
| Owners | 73% | 66% | +7.3 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 46% | -5.0 pts |
| Median gross rent | $700/mo | $1,014/mo | 31% lower |
| Median home value | $144,500 | $199,800 | 28% lower |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 24% | +2.2 pts |
At a $144,500 median value, many McCurtain County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Neighboring counties at a glance
Sevier County is closest, 31 miles from center to center; the sixth, Howard County, is 44 miles off. Income ranges from $45,603 in Howard County to $53,527 in Sevier County; 2 of these neighbors top McCurtain County's median. Some neighbors are in Arkansas and Texas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a McCurtain County resident follows Oklahoma rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCurtain County | - | $51,929 | $700/mo | 73% |
| Sevier County, AR | 31 mi | $53,527 | $751/mo | 68% |
| Red River County, TX | 38 mi | $48,491 | $1,044/mo | 71% |
| Polk County, AR | 40 mi | $49,191 | $711/mo | 79% |
| Pushmataha County, OK | 41 mi | $47,940 | $667/mo | 75% |
| Little River County, AR | 42 mi | $53,344 | $697/mo | 80% |
| Howard County, AR | 44 mi | $45,603 | $690/mo | 73% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in McCurtain County
14,115 of McCurtain County's 30,863 residents live in its 11 Census places (46%); the 11 largest are listed. Valliant ($51,750) and Broken Bow ($39,895) mark the top and bottom of McCurtain County's income range among larger places. Median rent ranges from $625 in Broken Bow to $725 in Wright City. None of the 11 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idabel | city | 6,987 | $43,295 | $702 | 15 mi |
| Broken Bow | city | 4,226 | $39,895 | $625 | 6 mi |
| Valliant | town | 883 | $51,750 | $722 | 20 mi |
| Wright City | town | 538 | $41,964 | $725 | 14 mi |
| Eagletown | CDP | 440 | $37,039 | $653 | 12 mi |
| Hochatown | town | 298 | $118,929 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Haworth | town | 265 | $36,250 | $586 | 20 mi |
| Millerton | town | 206 | $40,313 | $863 | 17 mi |
| Garvin | town | 147 | $50,000 | $850 | 15 mi |
| Smithville | town | 93 | $33,618 | $475 | 26 mi |
| Golden | CDP | 32 | $60,500 | n/a | 10 mi |
Before borrowing in McCurtain County
Based on the McCurtain County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in McCurtain County. For the 15% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Manufactured homes. 16% of McCurtain County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Free help first. 21% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Debt-to-income at McCurtain County's medians
DTI math using McCurtain County medians ($51,929 income, $700 rent):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,327 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $700 uses 16%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $858 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in McCurtain County
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. Health coverage gaps: 15.0% of McCurtain County residents are uninsured.
| McCurtain County | vs Oklahoma | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.3% | -12.0 pts | -5.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 21.2% | +5.9 pts | +8.0 pts |
| Work from home | 4.4% | -4.9 pts | -4.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 13.9% | +3.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.0% | +2.1 pts | +7.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 7.2% | +1.6 pts | +1.8 pts |
| Median age | 37.7 | +0.7 yrs | -3.8 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | -0.2 pts | +0.3 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.1% |
| 60+ min | 8.9% |
Lender oversight for McCurtain County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For McCurtain County, check the Oklahoma State Banking Department. The Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit handles consumer-credit questions as well. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. State-level detail for McCurtain County borrowers is in the Oklahoma guide.
Checklist for McCurtain County applicants
Steps that save money for McCurtain County residents:
- Price the McCurtain County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Oklahoma borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Beyond McCurtain County
The Oklahoma guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in McCurtain County earn?
The median is $51,929; 22% earn $100,000 or more and 34% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is McCurtain County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $700 against $1,014 statewide, and 41% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small McCurtain County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Idabel, Broken Bow, Valliant, Wright City, Eagletown and 6 more.
Is the fit check different in McCurtain County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for McCurtain 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.