Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – A Vibrant Metropolis in the Heart of the Sooner State

With a population of over 640,000 as of the 2020 US census, Oklahoma City is the largest city in the state of Oklahoma and the 23rd most populous city in the United States. The city serves as the county seat of Oklahoma County and is an important hub for commerce, transportation, energy, and telecommunications in the Great Plains region.

History

Oklahoma City was founded in 1889 in an event known as the Oklahoma Land Rush, when over 50,000 people gathered to claim plots of land opened for settlement. The city developed rapidly in the early 20th century and became an important center for the oil industry. After the Great Depression, the city diversified its economy and saw steady growth following World War II. Its central location and transportation access have helped it thrive as a regional hub for business and government.

Geography and Population

Oklahoma City covers 620 square miles in the central part of Oklahoma. It sits on relatively flat terrain with an elevation around 1,200 feet. The North Canadian River runs through the western side of the metro area. Oklahoma City has a population density around 1,000 people per square mile.

The racial makeup of the city is approximately:

60% White
15% Black or African American
7% Asian
4% Two or more races
16% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

Over 25% of the population is under age 18 and 10% is over age 65. The median age is 34.5 years old. Over 80,000 military veterans live in the Oklahoma City area.

Government and Infrastructure

Oklahoma City utilizes a council-manager form of government. The city council consists of 8 members elected from wards plus the mayor who is elected at-large. The current mayor of Oklahoma City is David Holt, who was first elected in 2018. Contact the Oklahoma City Council at 200 N Walker Ave #300, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, (405) 297-2391.

Some major public agencies and institutions based in Oklahoma City include:

The Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management
The Oklahoma State Department of Health
The FAA Regional Office
The FDIC Regional Office – 5005 N Lincoln Blvd #100, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, (405) 270-2600
The IRS Office – 55 N Robinson Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, (844) 545-5640
The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety
The Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs

Economy and Major Employers

The economy of Oklahoma City employs over 650,000 people across a diverse mix of industries. Historically the city was dependent on oil and natural gas, but it has since expanded into sectors like aviation, biotech, and telecommunications. Some major private employers include:

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores – 10601 N Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73120, (405) 262-8890
Össur Americas – 27051 Towne Centre Dr, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610, (949) 382-3800
JPMorgan Chase – 20 N Broadway Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, (405) 235-1000
SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – 1000 N Lee Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, (405) 272-7000

Major business sectors include energy, aviation, biotechnology, food processing, and telecommunications. The city has worked to establish itself as a hub for emerging industries through public-private partnerships. The unemployment rate is around 3%, below the national average.

Transportation

Oklahoma City is served by a network of highways, railways, and airports. Interstates 35, 40, 44, and 240 all pass through the city. It is bisected by Historic Route 66. The city’s main airport is Will Rogers World Airport, with over 4 million passengers annually. There is also significant freight rail infrastructure and an Amtrak station. Public transportation is provided by Embark, which operates bus transit and the Oklahoma City Streetcar.

Education

Oklahoma City Public Schools serve around 45,000 students at over 80 schools. The district website is okcps.org. There are many public charter schools as well. The city is also home to several universities and colleges, including:

Attractions and Tourism

Popular attractions that draw visitors to Oklahoma City include:

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum commemorating the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. GPS coordinates: 35.47327, -97.516421. Address: 620 N Harvey Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Phone: (405) 235-3313.
The Science Museum Oklahoma. GPS coordinates: 35.4676, -97.5159. Address: 2020 Remington Pl, Oklahoma City, OK 73111. Phone: (405) 602-3674.
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. GPS coordinates: 35.4759, -97.5209. Address: 1700 NE 63rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73111. Phone: (405) 478-2250.
The Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. GPS coordinates: 35.4637, -97.5058. Address: 301 W Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Phone: (405) 445-7080.
The Oklahoma City Zoo. GPS coordinates: 35.4811, -97.5164. Address: 2000 NE 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73111. Phone: (405) 424-3344.
The Thunder Basketball Observatory, home arena of the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA team. GPS coordinates: 35.4634, -97.5138. Address: 100 W Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.
The Oklahoma River, offering cruises, kayaking, and riverfront parks.

The city has a lively arts and culture scene. Visitors enjoy the Civic Center Music Hall, Oklahoma State Fair, and festivals like the H&8th Night Market and Festival of the Arts.

Sports

Oklahoma City is home to several professional sports teams:

The Oklahoma City Thunder NBA team plays at Paycom Center.
The Oklahoma City Dodgers minor league baseball team plays at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
The OKC Energy FC soccer team plays at Taft Stadium.

The city has also hosted major sporting events like the NBA All-Star Game, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, and the U.S. Olympic Trials for gymnastics, rowing, and taekwondo.

Oklahoma City: Live, Work, Play

With its vibrant local communities, strong economy, and abundance of leisure and cultural activities, Oklahoma City offers an outstanding quality of life. Though it maintains a relatively low cost of living, the city provides opportunities and amenities on par with much larger metropolises. Oklahoma City’s welcoming Midwestern spirit combined with its forward-looking vision makes it an ideal place to visit, launch a business, raise a family, or enjoy retirement.

Oklahoma City is located in Oklahoma County in central Oklahoma. Visit the Oklahoma County government website at 320 Robert S. Kerr Ave #101, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, (405) 713-1000.