Oklahoma City metropolitan area

The Oklahoma City metropolitan area is an urban region in Central Oklahoma. It is the largest metropolitan area in the state of Oklahoma and contains the state capital and principal city, Oklahoma City. This area is often called the Oklahoma City Metro, sometimes shortened to just "the Metro", or Greater Oklahoma City. It also has other nicknames like OKC or "the 405".

Counties in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area include Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, and Oklahoma. According to the 2020 U.S. census, the region had a population of 1,425,695, which is more than the 1,083,346 people counted at the 2000 census.

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

Principal communities

The Oklahoma City metropolitan area includes several important cities and towns. The main city is Oklahoma City. Other important cities are Norman and Edmond.

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

Demographics

The Oklahoma City metropolitan area is the largest urban area in the state of Oklahoma. In 2020, it had a population of 1,425,695 people, and by 2021, this number grew to about 1,441,647. The area has a mix of different racial and ethnic groups, with the largest group being non-Hispanic white, followed by African American, Native American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino people.

In 2021, there were about 565,309 households, with most people living in families. Many homes were owned by the people living there. The area also saw lots of new homes 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 in the 21st century 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 is home to many colleges and universities. Some of the 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 offer many opportunities for students to learn and grow.

Sports

Transportation

The Oklahoma City metropolitan area has several ways to travel around, 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