1st Advantage MortgagePawnee County households have a median income of $58,738 and median rent of $864 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Pawnee County at a glance
- Income in Pawnee County compared with Oklahoma
- Renting and owning in Pawnee County
- The Pawnee County job picture
- Pawnee County next to its neighbors
- Towns and communities in Pawnee County
- People and households in Pawnee County
- Local borrowing considerations for Pawnee County
- Budget math at the Pawnee County median
- A Pawnee County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in Oklahoma
- More guides for Pawnee County
- Frequently asked questions
Pawnee County at a glance
Roughly 15,795 residents live in Pawnee County, Oklahoma, 43rd by population among the state's 77 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 568 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 28 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Tulsa, OK metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 12 Census places inside Pawnee County, Cleveland leads by population with about 3,225; 11 of the 12 are incorporated.
Income in Pawnee County compared with Oklahoma
Pawnee County households have a median income of $58,738 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 41st of 77 in Oklahoma.
| Yearly household income | Pawnee County | Gap to Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.6% | +3.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.0% | +2.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.1% | -4.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.3% | -1.9 pts |
Some 30% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 18.2%, 3 points higher than the state's 15.3%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.443 here. For a borrower in Pawnee County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Renting and owning in Pawnee County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $864 in Pawnee County versus $1,014 statewide. By the Census definition, 45% of Pawnee County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $131,500, or 2.2 years of median income. Owners occupy 80% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1978.
| Home costs | Pawnee County | Oklahoma | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $864/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $131,500 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 23.0% | 8.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 12% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The Pawnee County job picture
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. Manufacturing stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 9% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 23% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 4% work from home. Only 3.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Pawnee County | Compared with Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.8% | -0.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.6% | +2.4 pts |
| Construction | 9.5% | +2.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.7% | +1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -1.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Pawnee County next to its neighbors
Payne County is closest, 22 miles from center to center; the sixth, Lincoln County, is 43 miles off. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Pawnee County; Noble County is highest at $66,365 and Payne County lowest at $49,809.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pawnee County | - | $58,738 | $864/mo | 80% |
| Payne County, OK | 22 mi | $49,809 | $917/mo | 51% |
| Osage County, OK | 27 mi | $62,847 | $777/mo | 78% |
| Noble County, OK | 30 mi | $66,365 | $826/mo | 78% |
| Creek County, OK | 33 mi | $62,338 | $936/mo | 74% |
| Kay County, OK | 43 mi | $58,423 | $842/mo | 69% |
| Lincoln County, OK | 43 mi | $62,216 | $794/mo | 80% |
Towns and communities in Pawnee County
12 Census places fall mainly inside Pawnee County; the 12 biggest are below. They account for 6,819 residents, leaving about 57% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $41,471 in Pawnee to $83,214 in Westport. Rent is cheapest in Cleveland ($818) and steepest in Westport ($950). None of the 12 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | city | 3,225 | $55,357 | $818 | 13 mi |
| Pawnee | city | 1,886 | $41,471 | $829 | 6 mi |
| Westport | town | 606 | $83,214 | $950 | 22 mi |
| Jennings | town | 346 | $35,833 | $589 | 12 mi |
| Ralston | town | 328 | $49,821 | $517 | 13 mi |
| Hallett | town | 132 | $36,458 | $1,083 | 9 mi |
| Terlton | town | 78 | $40,000 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Blackburn | town | 76 | n/a | $670 | 7 mi |
| Skedee | town | 62 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
| Oak Grove | town | 46 | n/a | n/a | 21 mi |
| Maramec | town | 34 | $36,250 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Quay | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
People and households in Pawnee County
College graduates make up 17% of the adult population. 12.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Pawnee County | Oklahoma | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.9% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.7% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.3% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.9% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.3% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.2% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.7% |
| 60+ min | 8.8% |
Local borrowing considerations for Pawnee County
Where the Pawnee County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Hospital bills in Pawnee County. For the 12% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Commuter costs. 23% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 23% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 18% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Budget math at the Pawnee County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Pawnee County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,895 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $864, takes 18% of that
- $898: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
A Pawnee County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Pawnee County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Pawnee County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Oklahoma.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Checking a lender's license in Oklahoma
Consumer lenders serving Pawnee County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Oklahoma that is the Oklahoma State Banking Department. Consumer lending in Oklahoma is also overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Oklahoma guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Pawnee County
The Oklahoma guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Pawnee County household make?
About $58,738 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 10% below the Oklahoma median.
How does Pawnee County rent compare with Oklahoma?
$864 locally versus $1,014 for the state, 15% below.
Should Pawnee County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 80% of Pawnee County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Cleveland?
Yes, along with the other 11 Census places in Pawnee County, such as Pawnee, Westport, Jennings.
Is the fit check different in Pawnee County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.