Bartlesville
RANK #411 / 996 NAT · #10 / 14 OK · POP 52,579
1YR FORECAST: +3.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Washington County, Oklahoma, is distinguished by Bartlesville, its largest city and county seat, which is home to the Price Tower, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed skyscraper. Located in northeastern Oklahoma, about 47 miles north of Tulsa, the county offers a blend of small-town living with access to larger city amenities. The community has a conservative feel, with many families, young professionals, and retirees choosing to reside there. Outdoor recreation opportunities include Copan Lake for fishing and boating, and Jo Allyn Lowe Park, which features a fishing lake, arboretum, and paths through tallgrass prairie. Life in Washington County offers a quieter pace, with a strong sense of community. The public schools in the county are rated above average. The economy has historically been tied to the energy sector, particularly oil and gas production, with Bartlesville having been a significant hub for the petroleum industry. While specific projects are not detailed, the county continues to see investment in energy-related industries. The area's economic landscape supports a population where most residents own their homes.
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.1x — home prices are low 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
High Banks Wind Project
NextEra Energy
|
$604M | Proposed |
|
Trillium Wind Project (Proposed)
RES
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Lithium-ion Battery Processing Facility
Blue Whale Materials
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Residential Developments (Multiple Projects)
Various Homebuilders
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Washington County scores 58/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#411). Median household income is $59,426 and job growth is running at -1.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Washington County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $151,000, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.39 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $879/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Washington County's job market is contracting (-1.1% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.4% change). Home values are +4.4% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.58% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Washington County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.