County · Oklahoma
Payne County, Oklahoma
Payne County, Oklahoma. Payne County had 83,889 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.7% since 2020, slower than Oklahoma (+4.1%). It holds 12 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 23 census tracts. GEOID 40119.
Payne County is the county of the Stillwater, OK micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
83,889
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 81,646 · ACS 2020-2024: 82,972
Median household income
$49,809
±$3,694 (90% margin)
Oklahoma: $65,039
Median home value
$223,300
±$7,532 (90% margin)
Oklahoma: $199,800
Median gross rent
$917
±$36 (90% margin)
Oklahoma: $1,014
How many people live in Payne County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 81,646 residents in Payne County. The Census Bureau estimates 83,889 for July 1, 2025, up 2.7% since 2020, slower than Oklahoma (+4.1%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 82,972 over 685 square miles of land.
| Measure | Payne County | Oklahoma | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 82,972 | 4,028,634 | +1,157 |
| Households | 32,609±635 | 1,562,389 | +1,821 |
| Average household size | 2.25±0.04 | 2.50 | −0.14 |
| Housing units | 37,069±65 | 1,775,127 | +744 |
Payne County's population since 2000
From 68,190 in 2000 to 83,889 in 2025: up 23.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Payne County?
Payne County holds 12 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Stillwater with 50,046 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Stillwater | 48,394 | $43,700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cushing | 8,327 | $44,136 |
| Perkins | 3,205 | $35,456 |
| Yale | 1,059 | $42,750 |
| Glencoe | 499 | $49,821 |
| Ripley | 346 | $41,250 |
| IngallsGEOID 4037000 | 192 | $68,750 |
| Drumright | 2,560 | $45,580 |
| MehanGEOID 4047550 | 34 | not published |
| QuayGEOID 4061450 | 39 | not published |
| OrlandoGEOID 4056050 | 130 | $46,250 |
| MulhallGEOID 4049900 | 212 | $76,250 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Payne County?
The median resident of Payne County is 27.7 years old; 18.4% are under 18 and 13.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 73.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 8.3%. 6.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Payne County | Oklahoma | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 27.7±0.3 | 37.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.4% | 24.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.2%±0.2 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.6% | 12.7% | +1.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 73.5%±0.3 pts | 62.1% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.5 pts | 6.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.2%±0.3 pts | 2.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.5 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.3%±0.8 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.3%±0.7 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.7%±0.9 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.1%±0.7 pts | 7.9% | – |
| With a disability | 14.0%±0.9 pts | 17.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.0%±1.3 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.6%±1.0 pts | 89.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 39.7%±2.5 pts | 28.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 18.0%±1.9 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.3%±1.0 pts | 2.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Payne County earn?
Half of Payne County's 32,609 households earn less than $49,809 a year (±$3,694), against $65,039 in Oklahoma. In 2015-2019 it was $51,201 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Payne County | Oklahoma | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,809±$3,694 | $65,039 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $75,380±$4,737 | $88,936 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,874±$1,836 | $35,624 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.6%±1.9 pts | 15.3% | −4.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.7%±4.7 pts | 20.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.1%±1.5 pts | 14.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.2%±1.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Payne County?
Owners occupy 51.0% of Payne County's occupied homes and renters 49.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $223,300 by its owner (±$7,532). The median renter pays $917 a month including utilities, and 48.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Payne County | Oklahoma | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $223,300±$7,532 | $199,800 | +$24,297 |
| Median gross rent | $917±$36 | $1,014 | −$88 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.8%±3.9 pts | 37.5% | −5.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,706±$90 | $1,539 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 51.0%±1.9 pts | 65.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 37,069±65 | 1,775,127 | +744 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.3%±2.2 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.8%±2.2 pts | 72.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.1%±1.2 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.3%±1.0 pts | 6.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Payne County building?
Builders took permits for 217 new housing units across Payne County in 2025 (137 single-family), 2.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Payne County get to work?
72.0% of Payne County's workers drive alone and 8.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.7%.
| Measure | Payne County | Oklahoma | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.2%±1.5 pts | 61.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7%±1.1 pts | 5.0% | +1.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 72.0%±2.1 pts | 77.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5%±1.5 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 6.0%±1.0 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.8%±1.5 pts | 9.4% | +5.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.4 min±0.9 | 22.4 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Payne County's census tracts?
Payne County is divided into 23 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $18,185 (Tract 105.03) to $129,732 (Tract 109.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Payne County compare with Oklahoma's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 8th of 77 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 30th of 77 |
| Residents per square mile | 8th of 77 |
| Median household income | 65th of 77 |
| Median home value | 8th of 77 |
| Median gross rent | 14th of 77 |
| Poverty rate | 7th of 77 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1st of 77 |
| Median age | 77th of 77 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Payne County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.