Most rural counties in Oklahoma

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Oklahoma

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Oklahoma using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. McClain County

- Rural area: 99.0% (565 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 571 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #1,771 nationwide

- Population density: 70.0 people / square mile (39,921 residents)
--- #65 lowest density county in state, #1,977 nationwide

#49. Pittsburg County

- Rural area: 99.1% (1,293 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (12 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,305 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #459 nationwide

- Population density: 33.7 people / square mile (43,955 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #1,308 nationwide

#48. Beckham County

- Rural area: 99.1% (894 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 902 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #843 nationwide

- Population density: 24.2 people / square mile (21,860 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #1,045 nationwide

#47. Mayes County

- Rural area: 99.2% (650 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 655 square miles
--- #56 largest county in state, #1,437 nationwide

- Population density: 62.7 people / square mile (41,098 residents)
--- #61 lowest density county in state, #1,879 nationwide

#46. Seminole County

- Rural area: 99.2% (628 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 633 square miles
--- #59 largest county in state, #1,512 nationwide

- Population density: 38.9 people / square mile (24,624 residents)
--- #49 lowest density county in state, #1,451 nationwide

#45. Custer County

- Rural area: 99.3% (982 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 989 square miles
--- #22 largest county in state, #694 nationwide

- Population density: 29.3 people / square mile (28,929 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #1,191 nationwide

#44. Woodward County

- Rural area: 99.3% (1,234 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,242 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #489 nationwide

- Population density: 16.4 people / square mile (20,352 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #780 nationwide

#43. Garvin County

- Rural area: 99.4% (797 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 802 square miles
--- #40 largest county in state, #1,057 nationwide

- Population density: 34.6 people / square mile (27,789 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #1,333 nationwide

#42. Marshall County

- Rural area: 99.4% (369 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 371 square miles
--- #77 largest county in state, #2,629 nationwide

- Population density: 45.0 people / square mile (16,688 residents)
--- #50 lowest density county in state, #1,578 nationwide

#41. Le Flore County

- Rural area: 99.4% (1,579 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,589 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #382 nationwide

- Population density: 31.5 people / square mile (49,999 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #1,257 nationwide

#40. Osage County

- Rural area: 99.4% (2,234 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (13 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,246 square miles
--- #1 largest county in state, #248 nationwide

- Population density: 21.0 people / square mile (47,074 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #926 nationwide

#39. Nowata County

- Rural area: 99.5% (563 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 566 square miles
--- #68 largest county in state, #1,813 nationwide

- Population density: 18.1 people / square mile (10,243 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #829 nationwide

#38. Craig County

- Rural area: 99.5% (758 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 761 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #1,149 nationwide

- Population density: 18.7 people / square mile (14,274 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #849 nationwide

#37. McCurtain County

- Rural area: 99.6% (1,842 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,850 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #315 nationwide

- Population density: 17.8 people / square mile (32,913 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #821 nationwide

#36. Choctaw County

- Rural area: 99.6% (767 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 770 square miles
--- #42 largest county in state, #1,127 nationwide

- Population density: 19.1 people / square mile (14,727 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #858 nationwide

#35. Adair County

- Rural area: 99.6% (571 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 573 square miles
--- #64 largest county in state, #1,745 nationwide

- Population density: 38.7 people / square mile (22,171 residents)
--- #48 lowest density county in state, #1,442 nationwide

#34. Hughes County

- Rural area: 99.6% (801 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 805 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #1,053 nationwide

- Population density: 16.5 people / square mile (13,265 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #784 nationwide

#33. Haskell County

- Rural area: 99.6% (574 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 577 square miles
--- #63 largest county in state, #1,717 nationwide

- Population density: 22.0 people / square mile (12,688 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #964 nationwide

#32. Noble County

- Rural area: 99.6% (729 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 732 square miles
--- #48 largest county in state, #1,210 nationwide

- Population density: 15.4 people / square mile (11,263 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #748 nationwide

#31. Latimer County

- Rural area: 99.7% (720 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 722 square miles
--- #49 largest county in state, #1,237 nationwide

- Population density: 14.2 people / square mile (10,239 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #717 nationwide

#30. Pawnee County

- Rural area: 99.7% (566 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 568 square miles
--- #67 largest county in state, #1,800 nationwide

- Population density: 28.9 people / square mile (16,402 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #1,182 nationwide

#29. Lincoln County

- Rural area: 99.7% (950 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 952 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #736 nationwide

- Population density: 36.7 people / square mile (34,936 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #1,389 nationwide

#28. Tillman County

- Rural area: 99.7% (869 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 871 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #934 nationwide

- Population density: 8.4 people / square mile (7,347 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #515 nationwide

#27. Okfuskee County

- Rural area: 99.8% (617 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 619 square miles
--- #61 largest county in state, #1,559 nationwide

- Population density: 19.4 people / square mile (11,987 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #866 nationwide

#26. Kingfisher County

- Rural area: 99.8% (896 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 898 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #866 nationwide

- Population density: 17.6 people / square mile (15,811 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #814 nationwide

#25. Texas County

- Rural area: 99.8% (2,036 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,041 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #278 nationwide

- Population density: 10.1 people / square mile (20,633 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #584 nationwide

#24. Blaine County

- Rural area: 99.8% (926 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 928 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #777 nationwide

- Population density: 10.3 people / square mile (9,521 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #589 nationwide

#23. Greer County

- Rural area: 99.8% (638 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 639 square miles
--- #58 largest county in state, #1,488 nationwide

- Population density: 9.1 people / square mile (5,790 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #538 nationwide

#22. McIntosh County

- Rural area: 99.8% (617 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 618 square miles
--- #62 largest county in state, #1,560 nationwide

- Population density: 31.8 people / square mile (19,677 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #1,267 nationwide

#21. Cotton County

- Rural area: 99.8% (631 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 633 square miles
--- #60 largest county in state, #1,513 nationwide

- Population density: 9.1 people / square mile (5,783 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #542 nationwide

#20. Woods County

- Rural area: 99.8% (1,284 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,286 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #467 nationwide

- Population density: 6.9 people / square mile (8,914 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #452 nationwide

#19. Caddo County

- Rural area: 99.8% (1,276 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,278 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #472 nationwide

- Population density: 22.8 people / square mile (29,179 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #994 nationwide

#18. Washita County

- Rural area: 99.8% (1,001 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,003 square miles
--- #19 largest county in state, #676 nationwide

- Population density: 11.0 people / square mile (11,066 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #606 nationwide

#17. Kiowa County

- Rural area: 99.8% (1,013 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,015 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #658 nationwide

- Population density: 8.7 people / square mile (8,816 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #524 nationwide

#16. Love County

- Rural area: 100.0% (514 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 514 square miles
--- #73 largest county in state, #2,025 nationwide

- Population density: 19.7 people / square mile (10,128 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #884 nationwide

#15. Johnston County

- Rural area: 100.0% (643 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 643 square miles
--- #57 largest county in state, #1,482 nationwide

- Population density: 17.2 people / square mile (11,028 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #804 nationwide

#14. Atoka County

- Rural area: 100.0% (976 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 976 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #710 nationwide

- Population density: 14.2 people / square mile (13,815 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #715 nationwide

#13. Coal County

- Rural area: 100.0% (517 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 517 square miles
--- #72 largest county in state, #2,016 nationwide

- Population density: 10.8 people / square mile (5,577 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #601 nationwide

#12. Jefferson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (759 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 759 square miles
--- #44 largest county in state, #1,154 nationwide

- Population density: 8.0 people / square mile (6,084 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #497 nationwide

#11. Major County

- Rural area: 100.0% (955 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 955 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #734 nationwide

- Population density: 8.0 people / square mile (7,654 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #496 nationwide

#10. Pushmataha County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,396 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,396 square miles
--- #7 largest county in state, #433 nationwide

- Population density: 7.9 people / square mile (11,055 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #487 nationwide

#9. Alfalfa County

- Rural area: 100.0% (866 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 866 square miles
--- #35 largest county in state, #950 nationwide

- Population density: 6.7 people / square mile (5,791 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #439 nationwide

#8. Harmon County

- Rural area: 100.0% (537 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 537 square miles
--- #71 largest county in state, #1,944 nationwide

- Population density: 5.0 people / square mile (2,663 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #366 nationwide

#7. Dewey County

- Rural area: 100.0% (999 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 999 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #680 nationwide

- Population density: 4.9 people / square mile (4,885 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #363 nationwide

#6. Grant County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,001 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,001 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #678 nationwide

- Population density: 4.4 people / square mile (4,369 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #342 nationwide

#5. Harper County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,039 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,039 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #635 nationwide

- Population density: 3.6 people / square mile (3,730 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #279 nationwide

#4. Ellis County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,232 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,232 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #496 nationwide

- Population density: 3.2 people / square mile (3,936 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #253 nationwide

#3. Roger Mills County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,141 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,141 square miles
--- #13 largest county in state, #544 nationwide

- Population density: 3.2 people / square mile (3,635 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #252 nationwide

#2. Beaver County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,815 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,815 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #324 nationwide

- Population density: 2.9 people / square mile (5,326 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #230 nationwide

#1. Cimarron County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,835 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,835 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #320 nationwide

- Population density: 1.2 people / square mile (2,159 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #86 nationwide

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