RANK #566 / 1001 NAT · #12 / 15 OK · POP 73,463
1YR FORECAST: +1.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, is characterized by its blend of Native American heritage and a growing suburban feel, anchored by its county seat, Shawnee. Located about 40 miles east of Oklahoma City on I-40, the county offers a commute to the larger metropolitan area. The community provides access to outdoor recreation, including Twin Lakes Reservoir for fishing, kayaking, and camping, as well as numerous local parks in Shawnee, such as the Kidspace Park. The landscape features rolling Cross Timbers terrain.
Life in Pottawatomie County often involves a mix of residents, including families and those who commute to nearby Oklahoma City. The county's economy has a history rooted in agriculture and manufacturing. Recent economic developments show a focus on expanding existing businesses and attracting new capital investments across various sectors. The local workforce is supported by educational partners like Oklahoma Baptist University and Gordon Cooper Technology Center, which offers specialized programs such as an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technology program.
Pottawatomie County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.2% runs below the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.1x — 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: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Pottawatomie Battery/Storage
Undisclosed (part of SPP interconnection queue)
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Sovereign Pipe Technologies (SPT) Manufacturing Plant
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
|
$50M | Operating |
|
I-40 Widening and Bridge Reconstruction
Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Residential Developments (Multiple Communities)
Various Home Builders
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Pottawatomie County scores 43/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#566). Median household income is $61,398 and job growth is running at -0.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Pottawatomie County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $165,400, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $894/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Pottawatomie County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.3%). Home values shifted +4.2% 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 3.89% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Pottawatomie County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.