1st Advantage MortgageStephens County households have a median income of $61,620 and median rent of $895 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
- Stephens County, OK: the basics
- Household income in Stephens County
- Work, industries and travel time in Stephens County
- Housing costs in Stephens County
- The counties around Stephens County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Stephens County
- People and households in Stephens County
- Borrowing situations common in Stephens County
- A Stephens County household budget, worked through
- Oklahoma rules that apply in Stephens County
- A Stephens County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Stephens County, OK: the basics
With an estimated 43,551 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Stephens County ranks 24th of 77 in Oklahoma for population. It covers 870 square miles of land, or about 50 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Stephens County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Duncan is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 22,958 people (53% of the county total).
Household income in Stephens County
Half of Stephens County households take in less than $61,620 a year and half take in more, 5% below the Oklahoma median of $65,039.
| Households earning | Stephens County | +/- vs Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.6% | +3.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.9% | -0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.7% | -1.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.8% | -1.4 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 28% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 18.0%, 3 points higher than the state's 15.3%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Stephens County median.
Work, industries and travel time in Stephens County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Stephens County residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 11% locally and 4% for Oklahoma. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 79% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Stephens County | Difference from Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.5% | -0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.7% | +1.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.3% | +7.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.8% | -0.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.4% | 0.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -2.0 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Housing costs in Stephens County
Renters in Stephens County pay a median of $895 a month, 12% below the Oklahoma figure of $1,014. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 46% of renter households here. Home values center on $145,300, or 2.4 years of median income. Owners occupy 74% of homes.
| Housing | Stephens County | Oklahoma statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $895/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $145,300 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.4% | 8.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 12% | n/a |
Because most Stephens County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The counties around Stephens County
Distances run center to center, from Jefferson County at 26 miles out to Comanche County at 37. Grady County leads the group on income ($75,419), Jefferson County trails ($48,668), and Stephens County out-earns 5 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephens County | - | $61,620 | $895/mo | 74% |
| Jefferson County, OK | 26 mi | $48,668 | $647/mo | 71% |
| Cotton County, OK | 32 mi | $58,425 | $772/mo | 80% |
| Garvin County, OK | 35 mi | $58,556 | $825/mo | 68% |
| Carter County, OK | 36 mi | $60,723 | $980/mo | 67% |
| Grady County, OK | 37 mi | $75,419 | $883/mo | 75% |
| Comanche County, OK | 37 mi | $60,761 | $970/mo | 56% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Stephens County
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Stephens County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 33,754 people, so roughly 22% of residents live outside any named place. Empire City has the highest median household income on the list ($96,250) and Comanche the lowest ($41,016), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Comanche ($663) and steepest in Empire City ($1,125). Live in one of these Stephens County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duncan | city | 22,958 | $58,054 | $896 | 6 mi |
| Marlow | city | 4,451 | $56,655 | $902 | 12 mi |
| Comanche | city | 1,545 | $41,016 | $663 | 11 mi |
| Central High | town | 1,489 | $75,435 | $1,109 | 16 mi |
| Bray | town | 979 | $73,897 | $785 | 9 mi |
| Sunray | CDP | 854 | n/a | $1,000 | 8 mi |
| Empire City | town | 794 | $96,250 | $1,125 | 12 mi |
| Velma | town | 590 | $87,674 | $888 | 11 mi |
| Loco | town | 94 | $40,313 | $775 | 14 mi |
People and households in Stephens County
21% of Stephens County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 12.6%, against 12.9% for Oklahoma.
| People and households | Stephens County | Oklahoma | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.0 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.6% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.2% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.6% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.6% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.0% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Stephens County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.1% |
| 60+ min | 8.5% |
Borrowing situations common in Stephens County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Stephens County borrowers.
- Uninsured care. 13% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 18% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Rent squeeze. 46% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
A Stephens County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Stephens County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $61,620 a year is $5,135 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $895, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $954 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- $1,313: what a 43% 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.
Oklahoma rules that apply in Stephens County
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.
A Stephens County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Stephens County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Oklahoma.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Oklahoma guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Stephens County earn?
The median is $61,620; 28% earn $100,000 or more and 30% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Stephens County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $895 against $1,014 statewide, and 46% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Stephens County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 74% of Stephens 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 Duncan?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Stephens County, such as Marlow, Comanche, Central High.
Is the fit check different in Stephens County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.