1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Pottawatomie County is $894 a month against a median household income of $61,398, about 17% of income (ACS 2020-24). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Oklahoma license first.
On this page
- First look: Pottawatomie County, OK
- Pottawatomie County against other Oklahoma counties
- The $61,398 median and what sits around it
- The Pottawatomie County housing market in figures
- Pottawatomie County industries and commutes
- Towns and communities in Pottawatomie County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- People and households in Pottawatomie County
- Reading the Pottawatomie County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at Pottawatomie County's medians
- Checking a lender's license in Oklahoma
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Pottawatomie County, OK
Roughly 73,463 residents live in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, 9th by population among the state's 77 counties and county equivalents. It covers 788 square miles of land, or about 93 people per square mile. Pottawatomie County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Of the 14 Census places inside Pottawatomie County, Shawnee leads by population with about 31,671; 13 of the 14 are incorporated.
Pottawatomie County against other Oklahoma counties
- On population, Pottawatomie County sits near the top of Oklahoma at 73,463, 9th highest of 77. More people usually means more banks and credit unions to compare nearby.
- Pottawatomie County ranks 11th lowest of 77 Oklahoma counties for the housing vacancy rate: 11%, against 12% statewide. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
The $61,398 median and what sits around it
Half of Pottawatomie County households take in less than $61,398 a year and half take in more, 6% below the Oklahoma median of $65,039. Only 30 Oklahoma counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Pottawatomie County | Gap to Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.5% | +3.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.6% | +1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.3% | -1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -2.6 pts |
On the low end, 29% of Pottawatomie County households report under $35,000; at the top, 26% report $100,000-plus. Census counts 15.9% of Pottawatomie County residents in poverty, against 15.3% across Oklahoma. A household earning below the $61,398 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Pottawatomie County housing market in figures
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $894 in Pottawatomie County versus $1,014 statewide. By the Census definition, 41% of Pottawatomie County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $165,400, about 2.7 times the median household income. In Pottawatomie County, 70% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. The median year built is 1980.
| Cost | Pottawatomie County | Oklahoma figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 46% | -4.9 pts |
| Owners | 70% | 66% | +4.6 pts |
| Mobile homes | 12.3% | 8.2% | +4.1 pts |
| Median home value | $165,400 | $199,800 | 17% lower |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 24% | -1.3 pts |
| Median gross rent | $894/mo | $1,014/mo | 12% lower |
| Vacant units | 11% | 12% | -0.8 pts |
Pottawatomie County industries and commutes
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Pottawatomie County residents work in education and health care and 12% in retail trade. Pottawatomie County over-indexes on public administration: 11% versus 6% in Oklahoma. 5.3% of Pottawatomie County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 79% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 4.3% of the total (5.6% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Pottawatomie County workers | vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.9% | -0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | -0.2 pts |
| Public administration | 11.1% | +4.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.0% | +1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.7% | +0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.6% | -1.7 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Towns and communities in Pottawatomie County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 14 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 69% of Pottawatomie County residents live in one of the 14. Bethel Acres ($75,909) and Johnson ($47,083) mark the top and bottom of Pottawatomie County's income range among larger places. Rent is cheapest in McLoud ($718) and steepest in Bethel Acres ($1,010). Live in one of these Pottawatomie County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shawnee | city | 31,671 | $55,815 | $936 | 11 mi |
| Tecumseh | city | 6,332 | $48,573 | $805 | 4 mi |
| McLoud | city | 4,425 | $63,469 | $718 | 16 mi |
| Bethel Acres | town | 3,165 | $75,909 | $1,010 | 9 mi |
| Pink | town | 2,206 | $72,396 | $900 | 8 mi |
| Johnson | town | 684 | $47,083 | $950 | 15 mi |
| Earlsboro | town | 571 | $68,906 | $880 | 12 mi |
| Asher | town | 438 | $110,833 | $894 | 16 mi |
| Tribbey | town | 423 | $49,375 | $850 | 11 mi |
| Dale | CDP | 293 | $208,063 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Wanette | town | 274 | $46,250 | $450 | 17 mi |
| St. Louis | town | 93 | $36,250 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Brooksville | town | 58 | n/a | n/a | 0 mi |
| Macomb | town | 22 | $53,750 | n/a | 5 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Pottawatomie County's, from 20 to 37 miles away. Richest neighbor: McClain County, $84,552. Poorest: Seminole County, $48,062. Pottawatomie County: $61,398.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pottawatomie County | - | $61,398 | $894/mo | 70% |
| Seminole County, OK | 20 mi | $48,062 | $752/mo | 71% |
| Cleveland County, OK | 21 mi | $77,068 | $1,167/mo | 64% |
| McClain County, OK | 31 mi | $84,552 | $954/mo | 79% |
| Lincoln County, OK | 34 mi | $62,216 | $794/mo | 80% |
| Oklahoma County, OK | 35 mi | $66,679 | $1,116/mo | 58% |
| Pontotoc County, OK | 37 mi | $63,017 | $889/mo | 66% |
People and households in Pottawatomie County
Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. Health coverage gaps: 12.2% of Pottawatomie County residents are uninsured.
| Indicator | Pottawatomie County | +/- Oklahoma | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9 | +0.9 yrs | -3.6 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.4% | -7.9 pts | -1.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.3% | +0.8 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.2% | -0.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.3% | -1.3 pts | -1.1 pts |
| Work from home | 8.4% | -0.9 pts | -0.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 15.9% | +0.6 pts | +2.7 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.3% | +0.3 pts | +0.9 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Pottawatomie County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.7% |
| 60+ min | 6.5% |
Reading the Pottawatomie County data as a borrower
Where the Pottawatomie County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Care without coverage. About 8,936 Pottawatomie County residents lack insurance; check charity care before a loan (how).
- Car trouble. For Pottawatomie County drivers (18% with 45-minute-plus trips), price the repair against the car's value first.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 12% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
Debt-to-income at Pottawatomie County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Pottawatomie County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $61,398 a year is $5,116 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $894, takes 17% of that
- Under a 35% cap, $1,791 total minus rent leaves $897
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,408 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Checking a lender's license in Oklahoma
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Pottawatomie County borrowers answers to the Oklahoma State Banking Department. Oklahoma also has the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit for consumer credit. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Oklahoma guide.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Oklahoma license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Oklahoma guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Pottawatomie County household make?
About $61,398 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 6% below the Oklahoma median.
How much is rent in Pottawatomie County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $894 a month; 41% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
How many towns are in Pottawatomie County?
The Census Bureau counts 14 places mainly in the county, led by Shawnee, Tecumseh, McLoud, Bethel Acres, Pink.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Pottawatomie County or elsewhere in Oklahoma, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Pottawatomie County?
Start with the Oklahoma State Banking Department, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.