Mayes County is located in northeastern Oklahoma, within the Green Country region and along the MidAmerica Industrial Park corridor between Tulsa and the Missouri border area. Established in 1907 and named for Sequoyah-era Cherokee leader Pleasant Mayes, the county reflects the area’s Cherokee Nation history and early 20th-century statehood development. It is mid-sized by Oklahoma standards, with a population of roughly 40,000 residents. The county combines small towns and rural communities with a landscape of rolling hills, pastureland, and lake country influenced by the Grand River system and nearby reservoirs. Local economic activity includes manufacturing and industrial employment associated with MidAmerica Industrial Park, along with agriculture and service-sector jobs that support communities such as Pryor, Locust Grove, and Salina. Cultural life is shaped by northeastern Oklahoma’s Cherokee and Ozark-border influences. The county seat is Pryor.

Mayes County Local Demographic Profile

Mayes County is located in northeastern Oklahoma within the Tulsa–Muskogee region, with its county seat in Pryor. For local government and planning resources, visit the Mayes County official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Mayes County, Oklahoma, Mayes County had an estimated population of 41,798 (July 1, 2023).

Age & Gender

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Mayes County (latest available profile metrics shown on the QuickFacts page):

  • Age distribution (percent of total population)

    • Under 5 years: 5.5%
    • Under 18 years: 21.4%
    • 65 years and over: 18.6%

  • Gender

    • Female persons: 50.3% (implying male persons: 49.7%)

Racial & Ethnic Composition

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Mayes County:

  • Race (percent)

    • White alone: 75.7%
    • Black or African American alone: 1.2%
    • American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 12.0%
    • Asian alone: 0.8%
    • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.2%
    • Two or more races: 10.1%

  • Ethnicity (percent)

    • Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 4.9%

Household & Housing Data

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Mayes County:

  • Households (2018–2022): 15,802
  • Persons per household: 2.50
  • Owner-occupied housing unit rate (2018–2022): 73.9%
  • Median value of owner-occupied housing units (2018–2022): $169,600
  • Median selected monthly owner costs (with a mortgage, 2018–2022): $1,302
  • Median selected monthly owner costs (without a mortgage, 2018–2022): $447
  • Median gross rent (2018–2022): $799
  • Building permits (2022): 99

Email Usage

Mayes County (county seat: Pryor) is largely rural, with population concentrated in small towns and extensive low-density areas. This geography tends to raise last‑mile network costs and can constrain reliable home internet, shaping how residents access email (often via mobile networks or public access points rather than fixed connections). Direct county-level email-use rates are not routinely published; the indicators below use broadband, device access, and demographics as proxies.

Digital access indicators: The U.S. Census Bureau (ACS) tables report county measures for household broadband subscriptions and computer ownership, which track the practical ability to use webmail and secure account recovery. Age distribution: ACS age profiles show the county’s share of older adults versus working-age residents; higher median age and larger senior shares typically correlate with lower adoption of online account use relative to younger cohorts. Gender distribution: ACS sex distribution in Mayes County is close to balanced, and gender is generally a weaker predictor of email adoption than age, income, and connectivity.

Connectivity limitations: Rural fixed-line coverage gaps, distance from fiber backbones, and spotty cellular performance are common constraints documented in FCC broadband availability data, affecting email reliability, attachments, and multi-factor authentication.

Mobile Phone Usage

Mayes County is in northeastern Oklahoma along the Grand River system and includes the city of Pryor (county seat) and several small towns and rural areas. The county’s settlement pattern is a mix of small urbanized pockets and low-density rural land, with rolling terrain, river valleys, and wooded areas that can contribute to variable radio propagation and make cell-site spacing more consequential than in flat, high-density metros. County geography and population distribution are relevant because mobile coverage is driven by where towers are economically sited and by line-of-sight and clutter (trees/hills), while adoption is driven by income, age, housing stability, and the availability/cost of service.

Data availability and limitations (county-specific)

County-level statistics that precisely quantify “mobile penetration” (subscriptions per 100 people) are typically not published at the county scale in the United States. County-scale indicators most commonly come from:

  • Census household surveys that measure whether households have smartphones and whether they rely on cellular data plans for internet access.
  • FCC broadband availability maps that show where carriers report service availability (coverage), which is distinct from adoption.

For authoritative county demographics and housing context, the primary federal source is the U.S. Census Bureau (see Census Bureau QuickFacts for Mayes County).

County context affecting mobile connectivity

  • Rural/low-density areas generally have fewer towers per square mile and longer distances to sites, increasing the likelihood of weaker indoor signal and coverage gaps along secondary roads.
  • Terrain and vegetation typical of northeastern Oklahoma (river corridors, wooded areas, rolling hills) can reduce signal strength and contribute to “shadowing,” especially away from major highways and towns.
  • Population centers (notably Pryor and other town centers) generally support denser infrastructure and higher-capacity backhaul, improving the likelihood of consistent 4G/5G performance relative to dispersed rural areas.

Network availability (coverage) in Mayes County — distinct from adoption

Network availability reflects where providers report that a service can be delivered, not whether residents subscribe or regularly use it.

4G LTE availability (typical pattern)

In most U.S. counties, including rural counties in Oklahoma, 4G LTE is the baseline mobile broadband layer with the broadest geographic footprint. County-scale confirmation is best derived from the FCC’s carrier-reported coverage layers:

  • The FCC’s broadband mapping platform provides location-based views of mobile broadband availability by provider and technology. See FCC National Broadband Map.

5G availability (typical pattern)

5G availability is commonly concentrated around towns, major road corridors, and areas with higher traffic demand, with reduced reach in sparsely populated and heavily vegetated or hilly locations. The FCC map is the most standardized public reference for carrier-reported 5G availability at fine geographic granularity:

Important note on “available” versus “usable”

Carrier-reported availability can overstate real-world usability in edge areas (indoor coverage, congestion, and terrain effects). Public maps show reported service areas, while actual user experience depends on device capabilities, spectrum bands used locally, and tower loading.

Household adoption and “mobile-only” internet indicators (not the same as coverage)

Household adoption measures whether people actually have devices and service.

Smartphone access and cellular-data internet use

County-level indicators typically come from the American Community Survey (ACS), which includes:

  • Smartphone in household (device access)
  • Cellular data plan (internet subscription type)
  • Households with no internet subscription (digital inclusion)

These variables distinguish between:

  • Households that have smartphone devices
  • Households that subscribe to and use cellular data plans for internet
  • Households that have fixed broadband vs those that rely on cellular

The Census Bureau’s primary portal for these measures is data.census.gov. The county QuickFacts page provides demographic context and links into detailed tables: Census Bureau QuickFacts for Mayes County.

Clear distinction: availability vs adoption

  • Availability: The FCC map indicates where carriers say 4G/5G can be provided.
  • Adoption: ACS/Census-derived measures indicate whether households actually have smartphones and whether they pay for cellular data plans (including households that use mobile as their primary internet connection).

Mobile internet usage patterns (4G/5G and practical use)

Direct county-level measurements of “usage patterns” (data consumption, time on 4G vs 5G) are generally not published publicly. The most defensible county-relevant statements use availability and commonly observed rural network characteristics:

  • 4G LTE tends to be the most consistently available layer across rural and small-town areas and is often the primary mode for on-the-go connectivity outside town centers.
  • 5G tends to appear first in higher-demand areas (town centers, industrial areas, and highway corridors) and may be less consistent in low-density parts of the county.
  • Real-world speeds and reliability are influenced by tower spacing and backhaul availability; rural cells can have fewer sector splits and less dense mid-band deployment, affecting capacity during peak hours.

For statewide broadband planning context and documented challenges (coverage gaps, affordability, adoption), see the Oklahoma Broadband Office.

Common device types (smartphones vs other devices)

County-specific device-type splits beyond ACS household device categories are limited. The ACS provides the most standardized public breakdown at household level, including smartphone availability (and in many releases, other device categories such as desktop/laptop/tablet in “computer” measures, depending on the table and year).

At a practical level in U.S. counties:

  • Smartphones are the dominant personal mobile device used for voice, messaging, navigation, and app-based services.
  • Hotspots and fixed-wireless/cellular routers are more common where fixed broadband choices are limited, but publicly accessible county-level counts of these devices are not generally available.
  • Legacy feature phones persist in smaller numbers, but the most comparable public indicator is the ACS “smartphone” household measure rather than a complete feature-phone inventory.

The most direct public measurement for Mayes County is through ACS tables on data.census.gov (device access and subscription types).

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Mayes County

Publicly documented factors that commonly influence mobile adoption and usage at county scale, with authoritative demographic baselines available through the Census Bureau, include:

  • Population density and settlement pattern: Lower density increases the cost per covered user, often resulting in fewer sites and greater reliance on 4G coverage layers for wide-area service.
  • Income and affordability: Lower household income is associated with lower broadband subscription rates and a higher likelihood of “mobile-only” connectivity (cellular data plans instead of fixed broadband). County income and poverty indicators are available via Census QuickFacts.
  • Age distribution: Older populations tend to have lower rates of smartphone-centric internet use and may maintain voice/text-focused usage. County age composition is available via Census QuickFacts.
  • Housing and geography: Dispersed housing, wooded corridors, and terrain variation can reduce indoor signal reliability, affecting perceived service quality and influencing whether households treat mobile as primary internet.
  • Commuting corridors and employment nodes: Coverage and capacity investment tend to track traffic and employment concentrations (town centers, major roads, industrial sites), which can create a connectivity gradient from the Pryor area outward.

Primary public sources for Mayes County connectivity reference

Summary (availability vs adoption)

  • Availability: 4G LTE is generally the broadest-coverage mobile broadband layer; 5G availability is commonly more localized and is best validated using the FCC National Broadband Map.
  • Adoption: The most standardized county-level indicators for mobile access are ACS measures of smartphone presence in households and cellular data plan subscriptions, accessible via data.census.gov.
  • Key drivers: Rural geography, dispersed settlement, and county demographic/economic characteristics materially influence both the feasibility of dense network buildout and the likelihood that households rely on mobile service for home internet.

Social Media Trends

Mayes County is in northeastern Oklahoma in the Tulsa–Fort Smith region, anchored by Pryor (county seat) and influenced by nearby Grand River recreation areas and manufacturing activity (including the MidAmerica Industrial Park). Its mix of small-city and rural communities tends to mirror broader U.S. and Oklahoma patterns in social media adoption, with usage shaped by mobile connectivity, local community networks, and regionally oriented news and events.

User statistics (penetration and active use)

  • Overall social media use (adults): Nationally, about 7 in 10 U.S. adults use at least one social media site, according to Pew Research Center’s social media fact sheet. County-level “active social media user” penetration is not consistently published by major public datasets, so Mayes County is most reliably described using state and national benchmarks.
  • Smartphone access (key driver of social activity): Social platform access in rural and small-metro counties is strongly tied to smartphone and broadband availability; Pew’s Mobile fact sheet documents widespread smartphone adoption among U.S. adults, supporting high social platform reach even outside large metros.

Age group trends

Based on Pew’s age-by-age findings in the Pew social media fact sheet, the dominant pattern relevant to Mayes County aligns with national age gradients:

  • Highest usage: Ages 18–29 consistently show the highest social media usage across platforms, with especially high use of visually oriented and video-led apps (notably YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat in national data).
  • Broad mainstream usage: Ages 30–49 generally maintain high adoption across major platforms, with stronger representation on Facebook and YouTube alongside Instagram.
  • Lower but substantial usage: Ages 50–64 and 65+ use social media at lower rates than younger adults, but remain heavily represented on Facebook and YouTube relative to other platforms.

Gender breakdown

Pew’s platform-by-gender estimates (see the Pew social media fact sheet) indicate:

  • Women tend to be more likely than men to use Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok (differences vary by platform and year).
  • Men tend to be more likely than women to use YouTube in several Pew reporting waves, and are often more represented in certain interest-driven communities (e.g., gaming/tech subcultures), though these are not consistently measured as “platform penetration” in official surveys.
  • In practical county-level terms, Mayes County’s gender pattern is expected to follow these national tendencies, with Facebook use typically skewing modestly female and YouTube broadly distributed.

Most-used platforms (with percentages where available)

The most defensible platform share figures for Mayes County come from national survey baselines rather than county-specific platform counts. Pew’s reported U.S. adult usage rates commonly place these platforms at the top:

  • YouTube (highest-reach platform among U.S. adults in Pew reporting)
  • Facebook (consistently among the top platforms, especially strong among adults 30+)
  • Instagram (strong among younger and mid-age adults)
  • TikTok (strongest among younger adults; growth platform in recent years) For current platform-by-platform percentages, use the regularly updated Pew Research Center platform usage table, which provides U.S. adult estimates and demographic splits.

Behavioral trends (engagement and preferences)

  • Local/community information use: In counties with multiple small towns and unincorporated areas, Facebook Groups and local pages commonly function as community bulletin boards for events, school activities, road/weather updates, and local commerce. This aligns with Facebook’s continued strength among adults in Pew’s national reporting.
  • Video-first consumption: YouTube functions as a cross-age platform for entertainment, “how-to” content, local sports highlights, and news explainers; its broad reach in Pew data supports high relevance in Mayes County.
  • Short-form video growth: TikTok and Instagram Reels drive high-frequency engagement among younger cohorts (18–29, and often 30–49), reflecting national usage patterns reported by Pew.
  • Messaging-centered behavior: A significant share of social interaction occurs through direct messaging and group chats (often tied to Facebook Messenger/Instagram messaging and other messaging apps), with social feeds serving as discovery layers for local and regional content.
  • Platform preference by life stage: Older adults tend to concentrate engagement on fewer platforms (especially Facebook and YouTube), while younger adults distribute time across multiple apps, with higher participation in short-form video and creator-led content ecosystems (patterns consistent with Pew’s demographic splits).

Note on geographic specificity: Public, methodologically consistent county-level social-media penetration and platform shares are rarely released by major survey organizations. The figures and splits above therefore rely on reputable national benchmarks (primarily Pew) that are commonly used to characterize usage patterns in counties like Mayes within Oklahoma.

Family & Associates Records

Mayes County family and associate-related public records include vital records and court filings. Birth and death certificates for events in Oklahoma are maintained at the state level by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Vital Records, rather than by the county clerk. Marriage records are recorded and indexed by the Mayes County Court Clerk (marriage licenses) and related court actions. Divorce, guardianship, name change, paternity, and adoption cases are handled through the district court and maintained by the court clerk; adoption files are generally sealed. Probate matters affecting family relationships and heirs are also filed with the court.

Public access typically relies on statewide systems for case search and county contact for copies. Oklahoma court dockets and many filings are available through OSCN (Oklahoma State Courts Network) case search. For certified copies of marriage records or court documents, requests are made through the Mayes County Court Clerk in person or by the clerk’s published request methods. Vital records certificates are ordered from OSDH Vital Records online, by mail, or in person.

Privacy restrictions apply: recent birth and death certificates have state access limits; adoption records are sealed; some court records may be confidential by statute or court order, including certain juvenile and protected-person matters.

Marriage & Divorce Records

Types of records available

  • Marriage licenses (and marriage certificates/returns): Civil records documenting authorization to marry and the completed return signed by the officiant and witnesses.
  • Divorce records (case files and decrees): Court records documenting dissolution of marriage, including the final decree/judgment and related filings.
  • Annulments: Court records in which a marriage is declared void or voidable, typically ending with a court order/judgment of annulment.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Marriage licenses (Mayes County)

  • Filed/maintained by: Mayes County Court Clerk (the county office that issues and records marriage licenses and the completed marriage returns).
  • Access:
    • In person at the Mayes County Court Clerk’s office (public counter access to recorded marriage records; certified copies issued by the Court Clerk).
    • By mail via a written request to the Court Clerk for certified copies, following county procedures (fees and identification requirements set by the office).
    • Online: Many Oklahoma counties provide searchable public indexes and/or document images through the Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) and/or county subscription systems. Mayes County marriage indexing availability varies by time period and the platform used.
    • State-level vital records: Oklahoma maintains statewide marriage records through the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), Vital Records for certified copies and verification, subject to state rules.
  • References:

Divorce decrees and annulments (Mayes County)

  • Filed/maintained by: Mayes County District Court (case records held by the Mayes County Court Clerk as clerk of the District Court).
  • Access:
    • In person through the Court Clerk’s court records department (public case files, subject to sealing and redaction rules; certified copies of decrees/orders issued by the clerk).
    • Online via OSCN for case docket information and, in many instances, imaged documents; availability depends on the case and document type.
    • By mail through a written request to the Court Clerk for certified copies of the decree or specific orders, consistent with court clerk procedures and statutory fees.
  • References:

Typical information included in these records

Marriage license and recorded marriage return

Commonly includes:

  • Full names of both parties (including maiden name where applicable)
  • Date the license was issued and license number
  • Ages and/or dates of birth (format varies by time period)
  • Residence addresses or county/state of residence
  • Place of marriage and date of ceremony (on the return)
  • Name and title/authority of officiant; officiant signature
  • Witness names/signatures (as applicable)
  • Filing/recording information (date recorded, book/page or instrument number)

Divorce case file and decree

Commonly includes:

  • Case caption (party names), case number, filing date, and court location
  • Petition and response pleadings identifying the marriage, separation facts, and requested relief
  • Final decree/judgment stating that the marriage is dissolved and the effective date
  • Orders addressing:
    • Division of marital property and debts
    • Spousal support/alimony (where awarded)
    • Child custody/visitation and child support (where applicable)
    • Name restoration (where granted)
  • Related filings may include summons, affidavits, returns of service, and support worksheets

Annulment file and order

Commonly includes:

  • Case caption and case number, filing and disposition dates
  • Alleged legal grounds for annulment and supporting affidavits/testimony references
  • Court order/judgment declaring the marriage void or voidable and stating legal consequences (property, support, and child-related orders where applicable)

Privacy and legal restrictions

  • Public record status: Marriage records and court case records (including divorce and annulment) are generally public in Oklahoma, but access is subject to court rules and statutes.
  • Sealed or restricted court records: Courts may seal records by order (for example, in cases involving protected parties, certain family-law matters, or other legally protected information). Sealed documents do not appear in public access systems and are not released without authorization.
  • Redaction and sensitive information: Personally identifying information (such as Social Security numbers) and certain sensitive data may be redacted or omitted from publicly accessible copies under Oklahoma court rules and administrative directives.
  • Certified copies: Certified copies are issued by the custodian office (Mayes County Court Clerk for county filings; OSDH for state vital records). Requestors must meet the issuing office’s procedural requirements and pay statutory fees.
  • State vital records access rules: OSDH Vital Records applies state law and agency rules governing issuance of certified copies and verification; these rules can restrict access depending on record type and the requester’s eligibility and documentation.

Education, Employment and Housing

Mayes County is in northeastern Oklahoma, anchored by the county seat of Pryor and situated between the Tulsa metro area and the Grand Lake region. The county has a largely small-town and rural settlement pattern with a manufacturing-and-services employment base, and a housing stock dominated by single-family homes with a meaningful share of rural lots and lake-area properties. Population, education, labor force, and housing metrics below reflect the most recent U.S. Census Bureau releases (primarily the 2018–2022 American Community Survey) and other public reporting; where county-specific figures are not consistently published in a comparable format, statewide or regional proxies are noted.

Education Indicators

Public schools and districts (names)

Public education in Mayes County is provided through multiple independent school districts serving Pryor, Salina, Chouteau, Locust Grove, and surrounding rural communities. A consolidated, authoritative list of districts and schools is maintained via the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and district directories; school-by-school counts can vary year to year due to grade-center organization and administrative changes. For district and campus listings, use the OSDE and district pages (for example, the Oklahoma State Department of Education and district directories on individual district websites).

Commonly referenced districts serving Mayes County include:

  • Pryor Public Schools
  • Locust Grove Public Schools
  • Salina Public Schools
  • Chouteau-Mazie Public Schools
    (Additional smaller districts may serve portions of the county; OSDE is the most current source for boundaries and official campus rosters.)

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

  • Student–teacher ratios: Countywide ratios are not uniformly published as a single audited metric across all districts in one table. As a proxy, Oklahoma public schools commonly report ratios in the mid-teens to low-20s depending on district size and grade configuration; district report cards typically provide the most current campus-level ratios.
  • Graduation rates: Oklahoma reports 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rates through OSDE on district report cards. Countywide graduation-rate aggregation is not consistently provided as a single figure across districts in a way that matches ACS geography; district report cards are the definitive source for the most recent graduation rates.

Primary source for current district graduation rates and related indicators: Oklahoma School Report Cards (state reporting portal).

Adult education levels

Most recent ACS (2018–2022) county estimates indicate an adult attainment profile typical of non-metro northeastern Oklahoma:

  • High school diploma (or equivalent) or higher (age 25+): approximately mid-to-high 80% range (ACS-based county estimates vary by table and margin of error; county-level attainment is reported directly in ACS S1501).
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+): approximately in the mid-teens (county estimate), generally below Oklahoma’s statewide share.

Definitive, table-based county values are available in the Census Bureau’s ACS education profile tables (S1501) via data.census.gov.

Notable programs (STEM, vocational training, AP)

  • Career and technical education: Mayes County students commonly access vocational and workforce programs through regional technology centers serving northeastern Oklahoma. Program availability is typically organized by sending district and campus; offerings commonly include skilled trades, health careers, IT, and industrial maintenance aligned with regional manufacturing.
  • Advanced Placement / concurrent enrollment: AP and/or concurrent enrollment opportunities are commonly offered at larger high schools in the region; availability and participation vary by district and staffing.

Program inventories are most reliably documented through district course catalogs and area technology center program lists (rather than a county aggregate).

School safety measures and counseling resources

Across Oklahoma public schools, baseline safety and student-support practices generally include controlled-entry procedures, visitor management, emergency response drills, and school resource officer or local law-enforcement coordination in some districts. Counseling resources typically include school counselors at secondary levels, with referrals to community mental-health providers as needed. District safety plans and counseling staffing are not standardized in a single county dataset; OSDE and district policies are the primary sources for current, district-specific measures.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent)

The most recent annual county unemployment statistics are published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS program) and Oklahoma employment agencies. Mayes County’s unemployment rate in recent years has generally tracked near the Oklahoma average, with elevated volatility during 2020 and normalization afterward. The definitive annual and monthly rates are available through BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (county series).

Major industries and employment sectors

Mayes County’s employment base is typically characterized by:

  • Manufacturing (notably large employers and supply-chain activity in the Pryor area)
  • Retail trade and accommodation/food services
  • Health care and social assistance
  • Educational services and public administration
  • Construction and transportation/warehousing (influenced by regional logistics and commuting links)

Industry shares by county (NAICS categories) are available in ACS industry tables (e.g., DP03/S2403) on data.census.gov.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

County occupational composition commonly includes:

  • Production, transportation, and material moving (linked to manufacturing/logistics)
  • Office and administrative support
  • Sales and related occupations
  • Management, business, and financial occupations (smaller share than metro counties)
  • Construction and extraction

County occupation distributions are reported in ACS occupation tables (DP03/S2401) via data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

  • Mode of commute: Predominantly drive-alone commuting with a smaller share of carpools; public transit use is typically minimal in non-metro counties.
  • Mean commute time: County mean commute times in northeastern Oklahoma commonly fall in the mid-20-minute range, reflecting both local employment (Pryor and smaller towns) and out-commuting to larger job centers (notably the Tulsa region). The definitive county mean commute time and commuting modes are reported in ACS commuting tables (DP03) on data.census.gov.

Local employment vs. out-of-county work

Mayes County exhibits a mixed pattern:

  • A substantial portion of residents work within the county (manufacturing, schools, health care, retail, local government).
  • A notable share commutes out of county, particularly toward the Tulsa metro labor market and other regional employment nodes.

Origin–destination commuting flows are documented in the Census Bureau’s OnTheMap tool (LEHD), which provides the most direct measure of in-county versus out-of-county work patterns.

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership and rental share

Mayes County’s housing tenure is predominantly owner-occupied, typical of rural and small-town Oklahoma:

  • Homeownership rate: commonly around the low-to-mid 70% range (ACS 2018–2022 county estimate in DP04).
  • Renter share: commonly in the mid-to-high 20% range.

Definitive county tenure values are available in ACS housing profile tables (DP04) at data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

  • Median owner-occupied home value: County median values (ACS) are generally below U.S. medians and often below the Tulsa metro median, reflecting a larger share of older housing stock and rural properties. Recent years have followed the broader Oklahoma trend of rising values through 2020–2023 with moderation afterward; the precise county median value and its margin of error are reported in ACS DP04.
  • Trend proxy note: Because ACS is a multi-year estimate, short-term market turning points are better captured by private listing indices, but those are not uniformly authoritative at the county level. ACS remains the most consistent public source for comparable county medians.

Typical rent prices

  • Median gross rent: Typically below metro-area Oklahoma rents, with rents varying by Pryor/Locust Grove/Salina versus more rural areas and lake-adjacent properties. The definitive county median gross rent is in ACS DP04.

Types of housing

  • Single-family detached homes: Predominant, including older in-town neighborhoods and newer subdivisions near Pryor and along major roads.
  • Manufactured homes and rural lots: A meaningful share, reflecting rural settlement patterns.
  • Apartments and small multi-unit buildings: Concentrated mainly in the larger towns, especially Pryor.
  • Lake-area and recreation-adjacent properties: Present nearer the Grand Lake region and associated recreation corridors, contributing to heterogeneity in values and seasonal occupancy in some pockets.

ACS housing-structure distributions are available in DP04.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools/amenities)

  • Town centers (especially Pryor) concentrate proximity to schools, clinics, grocery retail, and civic facilities.
  • Outlying rural areas offer larger lot sizes and lower density, with longer travel times to schools and services.
  • Corridor development patterns often follow major highways and commuting routes toward Tulsa and regional employment centers.

County-level walkability and amenity proximity are not reported as a single standardized public statistic; land use and accessibility are typically inferred from municipal planning documents and GIS.

Property tax overview (rate and typical homeowner cost)

  • Tax structure: Oklahoma property taxes are administered locally (county assessor and treasurer) and expressed as millage rates that vary by school district and other local levies.
  • Typical burden: Effective property tax rates in Oklahoma are generally around ~1% of assessed value (varies notably by location and exemptions). Typical annual tax bills in Mayes County vary widely with home value, exemptions (including homestead), and school district millage; countywide “average tax bill” is not consistently published as a single figure comparable across counties.

Authoritative local references include the Mayes County Assessor and the Oklahoma Tax Commission (statewide property tax and assessment context).

Table of Contents

Other Counties in Oklahoma