Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Picher, OK
Considering a move to Picher, OK? It's important to know that Picher was evacuated in 2009 due to severe lead contamination, and it is now a ghost town with no current population or active housing market. The cost of living in the surrounding Ottawa County region is well below the national average, with median home prices around $38,000 and rents near $400 before the evacuation. While the area enjoys mild winters, warm summers, and 62% sunny days, prospective movers should look to nearby towns for housing, education, and amenities, as Picher is no longer a viable place to live.
Demographics - Picher, OK
Demographics - Picher, OK
Picher, Oklahoma is a ghost town with no current residents or population density, as the city was evacuated in 2009. No demographic data is available due to the lack of inhabitants, making it unique among cities in the region.
Population:
0
Density:
0 per sq mi
Median Age:
N/A
Gender Ratio:
N/A
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
N/A

Ethnic Composition
White:
N/A
Black:
N/A
Asian:
N/A
Others:
N/A
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Picher, OK?
While Picher itself no longer offers housing, the surrounding Ottawa County area features a cost of living below the national average. Pre-evacuation home prices were around $38,000 and rents averaged $400, but today, housing and rental options must be sought in neighboring communities.
Median House Value:
$38,000 (pre-evacuation, housing not available)
Gross Rent:
$400 (pre-evacuation, rentals not available)
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$120 (OK state avg.)
Auto Insurance:
$1,500 (OK state avg.)
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$750 (pre-evacuation est.)
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$300 (pre-evacuation est.)
State Taxes:
Low:
0.5%
|
High:
5.0%
Cost Of Living Index:
84.0 (OK state avg.)
Grocery:
92.1 (OK state avg.)
Housing:
58.0 (OK state avg.)
Utilities:
98.1 (OK state avg.)
Transportation:
89.6 (OK state avg.)
Health Care:
90.0 (OK state avg.)
Miscellaneous:
94.0 (OK state avg.)
Crime
Is Picher, OK a safe place to live?
With no population since the 2009 evacuation, there are no recorded crime statistics for Picher. Safety and crime considerations would instead reference nearby towns in Ottawa County.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
N/A (no population)
Property Crimes Per 100k:
N/A (no population)
Crime Index:
N/A
Chance Of Violent Crime:
N/A
Chance Of Property Crime:
N/A
Weather
What is the weather like in Picher, OK year-round?
Picher experiences a temperate climate with mild winters averaging lows around 26°F and warm summers reaching highs near 91°F. The area receives about 43 inches of annual rainfall and enjoys sunny weather 62% of the year.

Winter
Min:
26°F
Max:
47°F

Spring
Min:
47°F
Max:
73°F

Summer
Min:
67°F
Max:
91°F

Fall
Min:
46°F
Max:
74°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
43 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
62%
Neighbors
Neighboring Ottawa County towns offer a median household income of $50,000 and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Residents benefit from short commute times of about 18.5 minutes and a community where over 85% hold a high school diploma or higher.
Median Income:
$50,000 (Ottawa County est.)
Household Income:
$50,000 (Ottawa County est.)
Family Income:
$61,500 (Ottawa County est.)
Per Capita Income:
$24,000 (Ottawa County est.)
Income Male:
$34,000 (Ottawa County est.)
Income Female:
$28,000 (Ottawa County est.)
Poverty Rate:
18.2% (Ottawa County est.)
Non English Speakers:
4.1% (Ottawa County est.)
Rent:
$700 (Ottawa County est.)
Unemployment Rate:
4.1% (Ottawa County est.)
Public Transport Usage:
0.2% (Ottawa County est.)
Commute Time:
18.5 minutes (Ottawa County est.)

Education
High School or Higher:
85.5% (Ottawa County est.)
Bachelors or More:
16.2% (Ottawa County est.)
Education
How are the schools in Picher, OK?
With public and private schools closed in Picher, families look to nearby towns for educational opportunities. The closest higher education option is Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, located about 11 miles away and serving approximately 2,000 students.

Colleges
Name:
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
City:
Miami
State:
OK
Distance:
11 miles
Students:
2,000
Healthcare
Access to healthcare in the region is supported by facilities like Integris Miami Hospital and Freeman Health System in nearby towns, with approximately 2 physicians per 1,000 residents. Around 86% of the county’s population has health insurance coverage.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Integris Miami Hospital
Address:
200 2nd Ave SW, Miami, OK 74354
Phone:
(918) 542-6611
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Freeman Health System
Address:
1102 W 32nd St, Joplin, MO 64804
Phone:
(417) 347-1111
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.0 (Ottawa County est.)
Health Insurance Coverage:
85.6% (Ottawa County est.)
Health Care Index:
73.0 (regional est.)
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Picher, OK?
There is no active housing market in Picher since its evacuation, and all properties are uninhabitable. Prospective homebuyers will need to explore real estate opportunities in adjacent areas of Ottawa County, where housing prices remain affordable.
Median Home Price:
$38,000 (pre-evacuation, not available)
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$400 (pre-evacuation, not available)
Owner Occupied Rate:
N/A
Rental Vacancy Rate:
N/A
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
N/A
New Construction Rate:
0.0%
Foreclosure Rate:
N/A
DMV Information
All DMV services for the area are managed by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, located in Oklahoma City. Residents of Ottawa County can access driver licensing and vehicle registration services through the state’s main branch or official website.
State:
Oklahoma
Department:
Oklahoma Department of Public Safety
Address:
3600 N. Martin Luther King Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73111
Phone:
1-405-425-2300
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.