Noble, Oklahoma

Noble is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. It had a population of 6,985 people in the year 2020, which was an increase of 7.8% from the year 2010. Noble is the third-largest city in Cleveland County. The two larger cities are Norman and Moore.

The city is known for its friendly community and outdoor activities. People living in Noble enjoy parks, local events, and the nearby Lake Thunderbird, which offers fishing and boating. Noble has grown over the years, attracting new families and businesses to the area.

Because it is close to Oklahoma City, Noble provides residents with easy access to bigger city amenities while still keeping a small-town feel. This balance makes Noble a popular place to live for people who want both comfort and convenience.

History

On April 22, 1889, during the first Oklahoma Land Run, J.W. Klinglesmith, Albert Rennie, and other businessmen claimed land along the South Canadian River to start the town of Noble. They named it after Secretary of the Interior John Noble, who helped open the area for settlement. The town grew quickly, especially after the Santa Fe Railroad built a depot there in 1889, making it an important place for shipping cattle and goods.

Noble is known as the "Rose Rock Capital of the World" because of the special rose rocks found in the area, formed from barium sulfate in the soil. Each May, the town holds a festival to celebrate these unique rocks. A museum dedicated to rose rocks operated from 1986 until it closed in 2019.

Geography

Noble is located along the southwest edge of Cleveland County. It is bordered to the north by Norman, to the east by Slaughterville, and to the west by the Canadian River, with McClain County across the river. U.S. Route 77 passes through Noble, connecting it to Oklahoma City to the north and Purcell to the south.

The city covers a total area of 13.3 square miles (34.5 km²), with 13.1 square miles (33.9 km²) of land and 0.23 square miles (0.6 km²) of water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Noble had a population of 6,985. The median age was 37.4 years. About a quarter of the residents were children under 18, and another 16% were seniors aged 65 or older.

Most people in Noble lived in urban areas, and there were many households with children. Many homes were owned by the people living there.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded 6,480 people in Noble. The city had many families, and most people were of White background, with smaller numbers of Native American, African American, Asian, and others. Many households included children, and the median age was 34 years. The average income for a family was about $40,500, and a small portion of the population lived below the poverty line.

Government

Gary Hayes became mayor of Noble in March 2006. The city has a mayor and four City Council members. Mayors are elected every three years, a system that started in 1991. Reverend Phil Freeman was elected mayor in 2021 after Hayes chose not to run for another term.

Education

Noble Public Schools is a large district that includes three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The elementary schools are Katherine I. Daily Elementary School for kindergarten and first grade, and John Hubbard Elementary School for second and third grade. Fourth and fifth graders go to Pioneer Intermediate School.

Noble Middle School serves students in sixth through eighth grade. Noble High School is where students finish their secondary education. The school’s mascot is the Bears, and it offers many clubs and activities, such as a marching band and a robotics team. The district also has a foundation that raises money to support teachers and students.

Notable people

Noble has been home to several notable individuals. Al Benton was a professional baseball player known for his career on the field. Bill Nations was a dentist who also served in politics. Brandon Harper became recognized as a football player, contributing to the sport's legacy.