RANK #158 / 1001 NAT · #8 / 15 OK · POP 72,830
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
Creek County, Oklahoma, distinguishes itself with Keystone Lake, a significant outdoor recreation area offering fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. Located southwest of Tulsa, the county seat, Sapulpa, is approximately 15 miles away, making commutes to the larger city feasible for residents. The community maintains a distinct identity while benefiting from its proximity to a metropolitan area. The county is drained by the Cimarron River, Deep Fork, and Little Deep Fork rivers, contributing to its natural scenery. Life in Creek County offers a lower cost of living compared to the national average, particularly in housing. The area appeals to families, with public schools generally performing above average. The economy sees activity in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade. Recent economic developments include investments in industrial parks and residential subdivisions, indicating ongoing growth and a steady population.
Creek County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +4.9% YoY, population +0.7%, wages +5.1%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Creek County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Creek Battery/Storage Project
Undisclosed (part of SPP interconnection queue)
|
$100M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Creek County ranks #158 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 84/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 0.7% year-over-year). Median household income here is $62,338.
Housing in Creek County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $182,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $936/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Creek County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.7%). Home values shifted +4.9% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.72% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Creek County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.