1st Advantage MortgageThe median Tillman County household earns $48,939, and 21% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- A quick profile of Tillman County
- What Tillman County households earn
- Rent, home values and ownership in Tillman County
- The Tillman County job picture
- Tillman County towns compared
- Regional comparison for Tillman County
- More Tillman County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Tillman County
- Budget math at the Tillman County median
- Oklahoma rules that apply in Tillman County
- Steps before you apply in Tillman County
- More guides for Tillman County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Tillman County
With an estimated 6,910 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Tillman County ranks 64th of 77 in Oklahoma for population. Land area is 871 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 8 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Tillman County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 8 Census places inside Tillman County, Frederick leads by population with about 3,445; 8 of the 8 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Tillman County estimates can move a lot between releases.
What Tillman County households earn
Tillman County households have a median income of $48,939 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 67th of 77 in Oklahoma.
| Income band | Share in Tillman County | Difference from Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 39.2% | +12.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.2% | -2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.5% | -6.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.1% | -4.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 20% of Tillman County households make $100,000 or more, and 39% make less than $35,000. Census counts 21.0% of Tillman County residents in poverty, against 15.3% across Oklahoma. 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 Tillman County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $733 in Tillman County versus $1,014 statewide. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 33% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $79,800, about 1.6 times the median household income. Owners occupy 73% of homes. The median home was built in 1963, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Tillman County | Oklahoma figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $733/mo | $1,014/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $79,800 | $199,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.3% | 8.2% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Tillman County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
The Tillman County job picture
The biggest employer of Tillman County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 20% of workers, followed by manufacturing (16%). Compared with Oklahoma, the county leans toward manufacturing (16% against 9%). The survey's unemployment rate for Tillman County averages 5.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.0%). Long commutes are common here: 23% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 9.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Tillman County | Difference from Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.1% | -3.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.8% | +6.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | -0.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.9% | +5.2 pts |
| Public administration | 8.2% | +2.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.9% | +1.8 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Tillman County towns compared
8 Census places fall mainly inside Tillman County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 5,985 residents, leaving about 13% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Tipton has the highest median household income on the list ($63,125) and Grandfield the lowest ($29,811), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Tipton ($549) and steepest in Frederick ($743). No Tillman County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick | city | 3,445 | $44,595 | $743 | 4 mi |
| Grandfield | city | 940 | $29,811 | $625 | 17 mi |
| Tipton | town | 784 | $63,125 | $549 | 15 mi |
| Chattanooga | town | 406 | $53,438 | $819 | 16 mi |
| Manitou | town | 224 | $86,875 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Davidson | town | 169 | $33,750 | $572 | 12 mi |
| Loveland | town | 11 | $34,375 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Hollister | town | 6 | $35,625 | n/a | 4 mi |
Regional comparison for Tillman County
Six nearby counties, 27 to 38 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Tillman County; Wichita County is highest at $63,524 and Kiowa County lowest at $44,962. Some neighbors are in Texas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Tillman County resident follows Oklahoma rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tillman County | - | $48,939 | $733/mo | 73% |
| Wilbarger County, TX | 27 mi | $54,102 | $932/mo | 67% |
| Wichita County, TX | 29 mi | $63,524 | $1,006/mo | 61% |
| Jackson County, OK | 31 mi | $62,799 | $842/mo | 59% |
| Cotton County, OK | 32 mi | $58,425 | $772/mo | 80% |
| Comanche County, OK | 33 mi | $60,761 | $970/mo | 56% |
| Kiowa County, OK | 38 mi | $44,962 | $780/mo | 70% |
More Tillman County figures
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Tillman County | Oklahoma statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8 | 37.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.8% | 28.3% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.8% | 10.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.4% | 12.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.6% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.8% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.0% | 15.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | 5.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Tillman County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.8% |
| 60+ min | 10.8% |
Local borrowing considerations for Tillman County
Where the Tillman County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 10% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Keeping the car running. At 23% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Tillman County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- 21% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Budget math at the Tillman County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Tillman County's medians:
- $4,078 a month: gross income for a household at the Tillman County median
- 18% goes to median rent ($733)
- Under a 36% cap, $1,468 total minus rent leaves $735
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Tillman County's.
Oklahoma rules that apply in Tillman County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Tillman County, check the Oklahoma State Banking Department. The Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit handles consumer-credit questions as well. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Oklahoma guide.
Steps before you apply in Tillman County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Tillman County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Tillman County
The Oklahoma guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Tillman County?
$48,939 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $65,039 for Oklahoma. It ranks 67th of 77 in the state.
How does Tillman County rent compare with Oklahoma?
$733 locally versus $1,014 for the state, 28% below.
Should Tillman County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 73% of Tillman County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Tillman County?
By population: Frederick, Grandfield, Tipton, Chattanooga, Manitou. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Tillman County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.