1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Pontotoc County is $889 a month against a median household income of $63,017, about 17% 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 Pontotoc County offer.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Pontotoc County
- How Pontotoc County ranks in Oklahoma
- Employment and commuting in Pontotoc County
- Pontotoc County income bands
- Rent, home values and ownership in Pontotoc County
- Pontotoc County and the counties next door
- Pontotoc County towns compared
- Pontotoc County households compared
- A Pontotoc County household budget, worked through
- Reading the Pontotoc County data as a borrower
- Before you sign
- Oklahoma lender licensing
- Other Oklahoma guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Pontotoc County
With an estimated 38,235 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Pontotoc County ranks 28th of 77 in Oklahoma for population. Pontotoc County spans 720 square miles; with 38,235 people, that is 53.1 per square mile. Pontotoc County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Largest place: Ada, about 16,575 residents (43% of Pontotoc County); 10 Census places in all.
How Pontotoc County ranks in Oklahoma
Out of every Oklahoma county, Pontotoc County is most unusual on these measures.
- Pontotoc County ranks 10th lowest of 77 Oklahoma counties for the poverty rate: 12.6%, against 15.3% statewide. A low poverty rate does not mean every budget has room; test the payment.
- On the share of adults with a bachelor's degree, Pontotoc County sits near the top of Oklahoma at 30%, 10th highest of 77. Student loan payments count in a debt-to-income ratio, so list them.
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Pontotoc County sits near the bottom of Oklahoma at 8%, 10th lowest of 77. Less driving means fewer surprise repair bills.
Employment and commuting in Pontotoc County
Education and health care (29%), public administration (12%) and retail trade (10%) lead Pontotoc County's job mix. Public administration stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.7% in Pontotoc County. 48% of Pontotoc County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 8% need 45 or more. 972 Pontotoc County households, 6.4%, have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Pontotoc County | Difference from Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.5% | +5.2 pts |
| Public administration | 12.2% | +6.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.5% | -1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.7% | -0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.8% | -1.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.3% | -0.1 pts |
Self-employed in Pontotoc County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Pontotoc County income bands
$63,017 is the median household income for Pontotoc County, set against $65,039 for Oklahoma.
| Band | Pontotoc County | Compared with Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.5% | +0.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.3% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.0% | +0.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.2% | -3.0 pts |
On the low end, 26% of Pontotoc County households report under $35,000; at the top, 28% report $100,000-plus. 12.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 15.3%). Pontotoc County scores 0.424 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Pontotoc County
A typical Pontotoc County rental runs $889 a month including utilities, which is 12% below Oklahoma. About 4 in 10 Pontotoc County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Median value $175,400; median income $63,017; ratio 2.8. The ownership rate is 66%. Nationally, Pontotoc County's $889 rent is about level with the middle county.
| Pontotoc County | Oklahoma | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 46% | -8.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 24% | -7.7 pts |
| Median gross rent | $889/mo | $1,014/mo | 12% lower |
| Median home value | $175,400 | $199,800 | 12% lower |
| Mobile homes | 8.9% | 8.2% | +0.6 pts |
| Owners | 66% | 66% | +0.2 pts |
Pontotoc County and the counties next door
Coal County is closest, 25 miles from center to center; the sixth, Garvin County, is 35 miles off. Income ranges from $48,062 in Seminole County to $66,322 in Murray County; 1 of these neighbors top Pontotoc County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontotoc County | - | $63,017 | $889/mo | 66% |
| Coal County, OK | 25 mi | $50,423 | $722/mo | 69% |
| Murray County, OK | 27 mi | $66,322 | $881/mo | 72% |
| Johnston County, OK | 28 mi | $52,688 | $762/mo | 72% |
| Seminole County, OK | 31 mi | $48,062 | $752/mo | 71% |
| Hughes County, OK | 34 mi | $51,581 | $660/mo | 74% |
| Garvin County, OK | 35 mi | $58,556 | $825/mo | 68% |
Pontotoc County towns compared
Places, by size: the top 10 of 10. Roughly 42% of Pontotoc County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $47,993, Pickett over Ada. Rent is cheapest in Byng ($692) and steepest in Pickett ($1,025). This guide covers each of the 10 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | city | 16,575 | $53,507 | $894 | 3 mi |
| Latta | CDP | 1,405 | $76,406 | $749 | 2 mi |
| Byng | town | 1,316 | $75,625 | $692 | 10 mi |
| Pickett | CDP | 897 | $101,500 | $1,025 | 6 mi |
| Roff | town | 719 | $57,500 | $742 | 11 mi |
| Stonewall | town | 445 | $56,250 | $569 | 11 mi |
| Francis | town | 310 | $65,000 | $911 | 12 mi |
| Fitzhugh | town | 197 | $55,156 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Vanoss | CDP | 120 | $35,500 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Fittstown | CDP | 28 | $28,906 | n/a | 8 mi |
Pontotoc County households compared
30% of Pontotoc County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 16.3%, against 12.9% for Oklahoma.
| People and households | Pontotoc County | Compared with Oklahoma | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 4.2% | -5.2 pts | -4.5 pts |
| No health insurance | 16.3% | +3.4 pts | +8.5 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.6% | -2.8 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 30.3% | +1.9 pts | +8.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | -1.3 pts | -0.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.4% | -1.1 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 6.4% | +0.8 pts | +1.0 pts |
| Median age | 37.7 | +0.7 yrs | -3.8 yrs |
| One-way commute | Share of Pontotoc County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.6% |
A Pontotoc County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Pontotoc County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $5,251 a month: gross income for a household at the Pontotoc County median
- Median rent: $889, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,369 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.
Reading the Pontotoc County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Pontotoc County borrowers.
- Medical bills. 16% of Pontotoc County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Pontotoc County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Pontotoc County residents:
- 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.
- Ask a Pontotoc County credit union about member loans.
Oklahoma lender licensing
The Oklahoma State Banking Department is the place to verify any lender's Oklahoma license. Consumer lending in Oklahoma is also overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Oklahoma state guide for the statewide picture.
Other Oklahoma guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Pontotoc County household make?
About $63,017 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 3% below the Oklahoma median.
What is the median rent in Pontotoc County, OK?
$889 a month, utilities included, or $10,668 a year.
I live in a small Pontotoc County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Ada, Latta, Byng, Pickett, Roff and 5 more.
Can Pontotoc 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.
Who regulates personal lenders for Pontotoc 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.