Oklahoma City metropolitan area

The Oklahoma City metropolitan area is an urban region in Central Oklahoma. It is the largest area in Oklahoma and includes the state capital, Oklahoma City. People often call this place the Oklahoma City Metro, sometimes just "the Metro", or Greater Oklahoma City. Other names for the area are OKC or "the 405".

Counties in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area are Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, and Oklahoma. The 2020 U.S. census counted 1,425,695 people living here. This is more than the 1,083,346 people counted in the year 2000.

The Micropolitan Statistical Area of Shawnee (in Pottawatomie County) is also part of Oklahoma City's Combined Statistical Area (CSA). This makes the total number of people in the wider area 1,498,693.

Principal communities

The Oklahoma City metropolitan area has several important cities and towns. The largest city is Oklahoma City. Other key cities are Norman and Edmond.

There are also many smaller towns around these cities, like Bethany, Chandler, Chickasha, and more. The area includes several counties such as Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, and others.

Demographics

The Oklahoma City metropolitan area is the biggest urban area in Oklahoma. In 2020, about 1,425,695 people lived there. By 2021, the population grew to about 1,441,647. The area has many different racial and ethnic groups. The largest group is non-Hispanic white, followed by African American, Native American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino people.

In 2021, there were about 565,309 households, and most people lived in families. Many homes were owned by the people living there. Many new homes were built since 2017. The median household income was around $61,815 in 2021, and about 14.5% of people lived below the poverty line. The most common religion in the area was Christianity, with many people belonging to different Christian groups. There were also smaller numbers of people practicing Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.

Economy

See also: List of companies based in Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City area has grown a lot and now has a mixed economy. Important parts of the economy include oil and natural gas, fast food, shopping, banking, phone services, and technology. Some big companies in the area are:

• Expand Energy (Headquarters)
• Devon Energy (Former Headquarters)
• Continental Resources (Headquarters)
• Paycom (Headquarters)
• Sonic (Former Headquarters)
• Taco Mayo (Headquarters)
• Hobby Lobby (Headquarters)
• Boeing (Regional Headquarters)

Education

See also: List of colleges and universities in Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City metro area has many colleges and universities. Well-known schools include the University of Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City, Langston University, Oklahoma Baptist University, Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City University, and Southern Nazarene University. These schools give students many chances to learn and grow.

Sports

Oklahoma City and its surrounding areas have many sports teams that people enjoy watching.

Transportation

The Oklahoma City metropolitan area has many ways to travel, including airports, highways, and public buses.

Major airports

• OKC Will Rogers International Airport (passenger and cargo)
• Tinker Air Force Base (military)
• University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport (general, university)
• Wiley Post Airport (general)

Major highways

• I-35
• I-40
• I-44
• I-235
• I-240
• US 62
• US 77
• US 277
• SH-3
• SH-4
• SH-9
• SH-37
• SH-74
• SH-152

Mass transit

• Citylink Edmond, local Edmond and Commuter Bus to downtown Oklahoma City
• Heritage Express Trolley, connects Heritage Park with downtown El Reno
• EMBARK, state's largest transit agency; bus and trolley service throughout Oklahoma County and, as of August 2019, for Norman
• Oklahoma City Streetcar, tram service within the city of Oklahoma City (primarily downtown)
• Oklahoma City Regional Transit District, planned commuter rail and expanded metropolitan bus service

Campus mass transportation

• CART, campus service for the University of Oklahoma