Residents Are Fleeing These 6 Fastest-Shrinking Counties in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a state in the South with the 28^th highest population in the country. According to the 2020 Census, the state was home to 3,959,346 people. However, the number of residents in this state has risen to 4,019,800 in just two years. Not all parts of the state are seeing an increase in population, though. Discover the fastest-shrinking counties in Oklahoma and find out where they are located and how many people left the area.

Using the latest county population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, we can determine the parts of the state where the most people are leaving. 

6. Beckham County

Beckham County is in the western part of Oklahoma. This county shares a border with Texas to its west. The largest city in this region is called Sayre, and the city had a population of 4,809 during the 2020 Census. 

The population in Beckham County, Oklahoma was 22,411 people in 2020. That population declined to 22,009 by July 2022. At least, that’s the estimated population as provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. That is a change of -402 people in the county and a total loss of 1.8% of the populace.

As readers may gather, this is not a significant drop in the county’s population. However, it is still one of the fastest-shrinking counties in Oklahoma simply because only a few counties suffered population losses at all. In the last two years, the Sooner State has added about 60,000 people. So, most counties added people rather than lost them.

5. Woodward County

Woodward County is in northwestern Oklahoma, not far from the start of the state’s panhandle. The largest city in this part of the state is Woodward, and it has a population of about 12,000 people. This county has an unfortunate history in that it was one of the areas struck by the deadliest tornado in Oklahoma’s history in 1947.

The population in Woodward was 20,473 back in 2020. Yet, the population dropped a fair amount to 19,990 people by the time July 2022 rolled around. So, the region lost 483 people or 2.4% of the population in the area. This is a somewhat small number of people to lose, but it was a significant percentage loss.

4. Custer County

Custer County is in the western part of the state. Weatherford is the largest city in the area, with a population of 12,076 people.

Custer County was home to 28,521 people in 2020. This area lost 2.2% of its population, 635 people. Now, the population in this area is 27,886. Like the previous county on this list, Custer County lost a fair percentage of its population in a very short time. Despite losing less than 1,000 people, this is one of the fastest-shrinking counties in Oklahoma.

3. Caddo County

Caddo County is a large region to the west of Oklahoma City. The Washita River runs through this part of the state. Anadarko is the largest city in the region, with a population of about 6,000 people.  

Caddo County was one of the fastest-shrinking counties in Oklahoma. This region had 26,934 residents in 2020, but the population dropped to 26,198 people. That means Caddo County lost 736 people or 2.7% of its total population in just two years. 

2. Texas County

Texas County is in the Oklahoma Panhandle. As its name suggests, this county has a border along Texas to its south. Also, this area shares a border with Kansas to its north. Guymon is the most populous city in this county, and it was home to about 13,000 people in 2020.  

The population of Texas County in 2020 was 21,386 people. This county had a more substantial drop in population than most. A total of 891 people left this area, leaving the population as 20,495 people. That means 4.2% of the population departed from this county over two years.

1. Garfield County

Garfield County is in northern Oklahoma. Most of the population in this area is concentrated in the city of Enid and its surrounding regions. Enid is known for having an immense wheat storage capacity, and it is sometimes called the Wheat Capital of Oklahoma.  

Garfield County had a large population in 2020. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 62,844 people lived in this county. However, 924 people left this county, leaving a population of 61,920. A total of 1.5% of the population left this area. By having almost 1,000 people leave the area, Garfield County is the leader among the fastest-shrinking counties in Oklahoma. 

Now that we’ve looked at the counties that are losing population in Oklahoma, it’s time to explore the reasons for these counties shrinking. The number of people leaving these counties is small relative to the influx of people into the state and other counties. Places like Canadian County, a part of the sprawling Oklahoma City Metro Area, added more people than were lost in all the counties listed here combined.

Simply put, people may be leaving the counties on this list and moving to other places within the state. Oklahoma is experiencing a large influx of people, over 60,000 people in two years. They enjoy the state’s jobs market, economic benefits, and the ability to leave behind densely populated cities. The next census will provide better insight into the specific reasons people are leaving these counties.

Summary of the Fastest-Shrinking Counties in Oklahoma

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