Pawnee County
OK · Pop. 15,689 · Suburban County
Pawnee County is a suburban county in Oklahoma, spanning 568 square miles with 15,689 residents at a density of 27.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, wheat. A median home price of $126,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.69% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 188-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.3°F and average winter lows of 24.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cleveland Area Hospital is 12 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 80.2% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 188-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.69% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $126,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Cleveland Area Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 12 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Pawnee County, OK is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 60/100
- Median home price
- $126k
- Property tax
- 0.69%
- Growing season
- 188 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.8"
- Broadband
- 80.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Cleveland Area Hospital, 12 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Pawnee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Pawnee County?
- Pawnee County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 188-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.3°F, and average winter lows of 24.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $126,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.69%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 80.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cleveland Area Hospital is 12 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Oklahoma Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Oklahoma
All Oklahoma countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Pawnee County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.