1st Advantage MortgagePittsburg County households have a median income of $55,310 and median rent of $860 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
- Who lives in Pittsburg County
- What Pittsburg County households earn
- Work, industries and travel time in Pittsburg County
- What it costs to live in Pittsburg County
- Places inside Pittsburg County
- Pittsburg County next to its neighbors
- Who lives in Pittsburg County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Pittsburg County
- Room for a loan payment in Pittsburg County
- Licensing and complaints for Pittsburg County
- Four steps for Pittsburg County borrowers
- More guides for Pittsburg County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Pittsburg County
With an estimated 43,561 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Pittsburg County ranks 23rd of 77 in Oklahoma for population. It covers 1,306 square miles of land, or about 33 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Pittsburg County is not part of any metropolitan area. McAlester is the biggest of its 23 Census places, at roughly 18,111 people (42% of the county total).
What Pittsburg County households earn
Half of Pittsburg County households take in less than $55,310 a year and half take in more, 15% below the Oklahoma median of $65,039.
| Households earning | Pittsburg County | +/- vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.9% | +6.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.2% | +1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.5% | -4.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -2.9 pts |
Some 33% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. 17.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 15.3%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Work, industries and travel time in Pittsburg County
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Pittsburg County residents work in education and health care and 14% in public administration. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 14% locally and 6% for Oklahoma. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 11% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 7.1% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Pittsburg County | Difference from Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.3% | +1.0 pts |
| Public administration | 14.1% | +7.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | 0.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.7% | +0.5 pts |
| Construction | 6.9% | -0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.3% | -3.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
What it costs to live in Pittsburg County
A typical Pittsburg County rental runs $860 a month including utilities, which is 15% below Oklahoma. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 50% of renter households here. With a median value of $156,900, a typical Pittsburg County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 71%.
| Home costs | Pittsburg County | Oklahoma | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $860/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $156,900 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.3% | 8.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 20% | 12% | n/a |
Places inside Pittsburg County
23 Census places fall mainly inside Pittsburg County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 29,665 residents, leaving about 32% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $39,630 in Hartshorne to $56,333 in Longtown. Median rent ranges from $571 in Quinton to $915 in McAlester. No Pittsburg County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 23.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McAlester | city | 18,111 | $51,930 | $915 | 1 mi |
| Longtown | CDP | 2,716 | $56,333 | $891 | 25 mi |
| Krebs | city | 2,119 | $45,893 | $852 | 2 mi |
| Hartshorne | city | 1,642 | $39,630 | $680 | 12 mi |
| Quinton | town | 953 | $40,962 | $571 | 26 mi |
| Kiowa | town | 658 | $46,250 | $734 | 17 mi |
| Haileyville | city | 614 | $48,036 | $729 | 11 mi |
| Savanna | town | 485 | $55,156 | $475 | 8 mi |
| Arpelar | CDP | 312 | $87,750 | $870 | 12 mi |
| Crowder | town | 307 | $55,278 | $930 | 14 mi |
| Bug Tussle | CDP | 265 | $84,911 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Alderson | town | 259 | $42,917 | $1,281 | 4 mi |
| Canadian | town | 225 | $51,250 | $788 | 18 mi |
| Canadian Shores | CDP | 194 | $42,500 | n/a | 17 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Pittsburg County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (27 to 42 miles). Income ranges from $41,405 in Latimer County to $54,785 in Atoka County; none of these neighbors top Pittsburg County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburg County | - | $55,310 | $860/mo | 71% |
| Latimer County, OK | 27 mi | $41,405 | $646/mo | 72% |
| Hughes County, OK | 30 mi | $51,581 | $660/mo | 74% |
| McIntosh County, OK | 31 mi | $46,281 | $780/mo | 77% |
| Coal County, OK | 39 mi | $50,423 | $722/mo | 69% |
| Atoka County, OK | 40 mi | $54,785 | $708/mo | 74% |
| Haskell County, OK | 42 mi | $49,806 | $770/mo | 78% |
Who lives in Pittsburg County, in numbers
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. 14.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Pittsburg County | Oklahoma | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.2% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.3% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.8% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.1% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.9% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.7% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.7% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.9% |
| 60+ min | 6.8% |
Before borrowing in Pittsburg County
Based on the Pittsburg County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 15% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- 13% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Tight rental budgets. With 50% of Pittsburg County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Room for a loan payment in Pittsburg County
Pittsburg County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $55,310 a year is $4,609 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $860, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- $984: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $860, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Licensing and complaints for Pittsburg County
Pittsburg County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by 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. Statewide data and rules: Oklahoma guide.
Four steps for Pittsburg County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Oklahoma borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Pittsburg County
For statewide rules and data, see the Oklahoma guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Pittsburg County?
$55,310 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $65,039 for Oklahoma. It ranks 49th of 77 in the state.
What do renters pay in Pittsburg County?
$860 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
Should Pittsburg County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 71% of Pittsburg 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 McAlester?
Yes, along with the other 22 Census places in Pittsburg County, such as Longtown, Krebs, Hartshorne.
Can Pittsburg County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Oklahoma county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.