1st Advantage MortgageOkanogan County households have a median income of $63,207 and median rent of $887 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Okanogan County, and confirm each one's Washington license.
On this page
- Okanogan County in brief
- Earnings across Okanogan County households
- Renting and owning in Okanogan County
- Okanogan County against other Washington counties
- Labor force snapshot: Okanogan County
- Census places in Okanogan County
- How Okanogan County compares with nearby counties
- Before borrowing in Okanogan County
- People and households in Okanogan County
- Budget math at the Okanogan County median
- Who licenses lenders for Okanogan County residents
- Four steps for Okanogan County borrowers
- Other Washington guides
- Frequently asked questions
Okanogan County in brief
Okanogan County is home to about 43,425 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 26th most populous of 39 county-level areas in Washington. Land area is 5,266 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 8 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Largest place: Omak, about 5,036 residents (12% of Okanogan County); 18 Census places in all.
Earnings across Okanogan County households
Median household income in Okanogan County: $63,207 (36% below Washington, $98,141). Only 35 Washington counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Okanogan County | Gap to Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.4% | +11.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.5% | +8.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.5% | -8.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | -11.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Okanogan County households make $100,000 or more, and 27% make less than $35,000. Okanogan County counts about 9,007 residents below the poverty line, 20.7% of the population. Gini index for Okanogan County: 0.459. A household earning below the $63,207 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Renting and owning in Okanogan County
$887 a month is the median gross rent in Okanogan County, 50% below the state. By the Census definition, 39% of Okanogan County renters are cost-burdened. Okanogan County homes are worth $299,800 at the median, a 4.7-to-1 ratio to income. In Okanogan County, 72% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Median construction year: 1982.
| Housing | Okanogan County | Washington statewide | Okanogan County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $887/mo | $1,760/mo | 50% lower |
| Median home value | $299,800 | $564,600 | 47% lower |
| Owners | 72% | 64% | +8.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 50% | -10.8 pts |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 30% | -0.3 pts |
With 72% of Okanogan County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Okanogan County against other Washington counties
The 3 Okanogan County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Washington, and what each means for a borrower:
- The poverty rate: 20.7% in Okanogan County. Only 1 of 39 Washington counties are higher. Nonprofit credit counseling is free or low cost and worth a call first.
- The uninsured rate: 14.9% in Okanogan County. Only 1 of 39 Washington counties are higher. Hospital payment plans are usually interest-free; compare before a loan.
- On the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent, Okanogan County sits near the bottom of Washington at 39%, 3rd lowest of 39. Rents are manageable for most, which can leave space for savings.
Labor force snapshot: Okanogan County
Top Okanogan County industry by residents employed: agriculture, forestry and mining, 24%; second, education and health care, 21%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 24% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. 4.5% of Okanogan County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 61% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Okanogan County | Compared with Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 23.6% | +21.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.8% | -0.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.1% | -1.5 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +1.1 pts |
| Public administration | 6.8% | +1.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.8% | -1.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Census places in Okanogan County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 18 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 38% of Okanogan County residents live in one of the 18. Incomes vary by place: $76,544 at the median in Omak, $37,591 in Tonasket. This guide covers each of the 18 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omak | city | 5,036 | $76,544 | $1,002 | 13 mi |
| Okanogan | city | 2,470 | $68,611 | $1,054 | 15 mi |
| Brewster | city | 1,653 | $39,241 | $1,005 | 31 mi |
| Oroville | city | 1,605 | $39,755 | $738 | 31 mi |
| Twisp | town | 1,179 | $60,000 | $847 | 22 mi |
| Tonasket | city | 993 | $37,591 | $745 | 18 mi |
| Pateros | city | 583 | $69,091 | n/a | 35 mi |
| Riverside | town | 471 | $40,625 | $1,113 | 11 mi |
| Malott | CDP | 447 | $51,585 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Winthrop | town | 423 | $66,908 | $1,128 | 21 mi |
| North Omak | CDP | 416 | $66,429 | $760 | 15 mi |
| Nespelem Community | CDP | 358 | $104,063 | n/a | 42 mi |
| Elmer City | town | 332 | $70,625 | $926 | 52 mi |
| Conconully | town | 182 | $63,000 | $878 | 1 mi |
How Okanogan County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 56 to 93 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Okanogan County; Chelan County is highest at $82,381 and Ferry County lowest at $55,614.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okanogan County | - | $63,207 | $887/mo | 72% |
| Ferry County, WA | 56 mi | $55,614 | $663/mo | 78% |
| Douglas County, WA | 56 mi | $80,363 | $1,305/mo | 69% |
| Chelan County, WA | 62 mi | $82,381 | $1,226/mo | 65% |
| Stevens County, WA | 87 mi | $69,327 | $898/mo | 80% |
| Lincoln County, WA | 91 mi | $71,512 | $883/mo | 80% |
| Grant County, WA | 93 mi | $73,267 | $1,116/mo | 66% |
Before borrowing in Okanogan County
Based on the Okanogan County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- 15% uninsured. In Okanogan County, ask for an itemized bill and a payment plan first (medical bills).
- Manufactured housing (18%). Okanogan County owners should get two written repair quotes before borrowing.
- Free help first. 21% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
People and households in Okanogan County
Bachelor's degree or higher: 25% of Okanogan County adults. Health coverage gaps: 14.9% of Okanogan County residents are uninsured.
| Okanogan County | vs Washington | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.7% | -14.9 pts | +2.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 20.7% | +10.8 pts | +7.6 pts |
| No health insurance | 14.9% | +8.6 pts | +7.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 14.6% | +6.9 pts | n/a |
| Median age | 43.2 | +4.9 yrs | +1.7 yrs |
| Work from home | 16.2% | -3.6 pts | +7.5 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | -2.8 pts | -1.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | -0.6 pts | +0.1 pts |
| Minutes to work | Okanogan County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 50.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.8% |
| 60+ min | 5.2% |
Budget math at the Okanogan County median
Here is the Okanogan County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Okanogan County: $5,267
- Less median rent of $887, which is 17% of it
- Under a 40% cap, $2,107 total minus rent leaves $1,220
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Okanogan County's.
Who licenses lenders for Okanogan County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Okanogan County, check the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Washington guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Okanogan County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Okanogan County:
- Price the Okanogan 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.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Other Washington guides
The Washington guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Okanogan County household make?
About $63,207 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 36% below the Washington median.
How does Okanogan County rent compare with Washington?
$887 locally versus $1,760 for the state, 50% below.
What are the biggest places in Okanogan County?
By population: Omak, Okanogan, Brewster, Oroville, Twisp. The county has 18 Census places in all.
Will a Okanogan County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Washington as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who regulates personal lenders for Okanogan County residents?
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Washington; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.