Edmond (IMO) have always been on a high horse--in a good way. This is a city that demands quality; not quantity.
Laramie, I recommend you take a trip to higher end suburbs in states that have a real standard of what high quality is and not the Oklahoma standard.

The Tulsa and Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Areas gained a total of about 250,000 over the decade. That means the rest of the state combined lost 42,000.

https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/oklahoma-follows-some-census-trends-more-than-others/article_29699e28-fc67-11eb-962c-bbc8e5aa2743.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

I really hope Oklahoma as a whole can start growing without Tulsa and OKC factored in. Maybe these rural folks should realize voting in these ultra conservatives isn’t working out.

Edmond (IMO) have always been on a high horse--in a good way. This is a city that demands quality; not quantity.

LOL. Quality in zoning ordinances, maybe, but little else.

I really hope Oklahoma as a whole can start growing without Tulsa and OKC factored in. Maybe these rural folks should realize voting in these ultra conservatives isn’t working out.

I hope the opposite. The rural SOBs are why we have a **** legislature. We need more urban representation. It's just like the US as a whole: Senate apportionment and the Electoral College give outsized power to areas where no people actually live.

So, in short: screw the rural communities. Sink or swim. Capitalism baby! Free market! The fact is they are dying because of their backward-ass ways and lack of jobs. They cannot even keep their own young folks from leaving. America baby!

Why wouldn’t you want more allies? Holding a grudge hasn’t ever helped anyone.

I really hope Oklahoma as a whole can start growing without Tulsa and OKC factored in. Maybe these rural folks should realize voting in these ultra conservatives isn’t working out.

I think most people in rural areas, especially the voters, are happy with the way things are. After all, they are quite well used to doing with less and less as their towns decline. Well over half of them didn't want more from legalized med marijuana with much needed jobs that came with it, and nearly all didn't want more Medicaid. For the ones that want more, they have been moving to the big city. A few towns, are exceptions, like Durant and will hopefully keep growing. At least the towns located along the interstates will likely not decline much.

On FB, I asked a young guy who supported legalizing medical marijuana how can he live in a county that voted against it. He said, "Because it's home". So the young ones may not all be leaving. Some of them are loyal homebodies.

You will see the metro begin its boom with cities like Norman (128,026) and the suburbs like Edmond (94,428), Midwest City-Del City (80,231) and Moore (62,793) eclipse 100,000. Norman and Moore represent 190,819.

Our inner-city will continue healthy growth because of the abundance of land area within the corporate OKC limits, some of which have lots of potential. The growth of these bedroom and collegiate cities will continue to define the metropolitan areas growth.
I thought I read somewhere that the big growth has been out west. Mustang, Yukon, etc. and western Oklahoma City.

^^^ Canadian County fastest growing in the metro, Percent wise.

I thought I read somewhere that the big growth has been out west. Mustang, Yukon, etc. and western Oklahoma City.

Sure there's been good growth as a percentage of the population; as to numbers IDK.

Look at the pattern (cities with 50,000 +) as to why some of these metropolitan areas will continue with growth:

41. Milwaukee [1,574,731 +1.21%]

Milwaukee (577,222)
Racine (196,219)
Waukesha (72,299)
West Allis (60,850)

42. Oklahoma City [1,425,695 +13.78%]

Oklahoma City (681,054)
Norman (128,026)
Edmond (96,376)
Moore (63,261)
Midwest City (57,849)

43. Raleigh [1,413,982 +25.08%]

Raleigh (467,665)
Cary (174,762)
Apex (70,561)

47. Salt Lake City [1,222,540 +15.63%]

Salt Lake City (199,723)
West Valley City (133,780 )
West Jordan (118,220)
Provo (116,594)
Sandy (95,666)
Taylorsville (59,405)

50. Birmingham [1,115,289]

Birmingham (200,733)
Hoover (86,270)

2020 MSA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metropolitan_statistical_areas

^^^. Edmond ?

Never mind: I realized my post was likely going to lead to a long diversion from the topic of population growth in OKC.

^^^. Edmond ?

Forgive me: Plugged in Edmond (2021 - 96,376), adjusted of late, this is one of those cities that will surpass 100,000 in the OKC metro very soon.

kind of a pointless question that isn't at all useful to understanding the details of the topic, but I'm curious to see how many people who are active on this site are among the 101,055 people who moved inside the OKC city limits since the 2010 count. Just thought it may be interesting to see. I am one those people (moved to OKC in 2013)

Is there any word of possible new cities being added to OKC’s MSA? How and when does that happen?

kind of a pointless question that isn't at all useful to understanding the details of the topic, but I'm curious to see how many people who are active on this site are among the 101,055 people who moved inside the OKC city limits since the 2010 count. Just thought it may be interesting to see. I am one those people (moved to OKC in 2013)
I moved here from Ohio in 2013

kind of a pointless question that isn't at all useful to understanding the details of the topic, but I'm curious to see how many people who are active on this site are among the 101,055 people who moved inside the OKC city limits since the 2010 count. Just thought it may be interesting to see. I am one those people (moved to OKC in 2013)

We've always lived inside OKC city limits since we moved back in 2009.

I moved here from Ohio in 2013

Just curious, what brought you and GoGators to OKC in 2013. Want to welcome you and your families.

Is there any word of possible new cities being added to OKC’s MSA? How and when does that happen?

Cities aren't added, counties are. And the Census decides based on commuting/trade patterns between counties.

kind of a pointless question that isn't at all useful to understanding the details of the topic, but I'm curious to see how many people who are active on this site are among the 101,055 people who moved inside the OKC city limits since the 2010 count. Just thought it may be interesting to see. I am one those people (moved to OKC in 2013)

I moved to OKC in June 2012 just as the Thunder made the NBA Finals. It was a very exciting time. Can't believe next year is 10 years here.

kind of a pointless question that isn't at all useful to understanding the details of the topic, but I'm curious to see how many people who are active on this site are among the 101,055 people who moved inside the OKC city limits since the 2010 count. Just thought it may be interesting to see. I am one those people (moved to OKC in 2013)

I am one of them, moved up from Norman in 2015. Closer to work, and I wanted to be inside OKC proper instead of a suburb.

kind of a pointless question that isn't at all useful to understanding the details of the topic, but I'm curious to see how many people who are active on this site are among the 101,055 people who moved inside the OKC city limits since the 2010 count. Just thought it may be interesting to see. I am one those people (moved to OKC in 2013)

I moved here from Portland at the end of July 2020. I have spent most of my life in Oklahoma City but moved to the Bay Area for college and then lived in Portland for a couple of years before having a kid and moving back here to be closer to family and a much more reasonable cost of living considering the stage of life I’m at. Somewhat ironic and unintentional, the closest major intersection to my house is NW 36th and Portland.

kind of a pointless question that isn't at all useful to understanding the details of the topic, but I'm curious to see how many people who are active on this site are among the 101,055 people who moved inside the OKC city limits since the 2010 count. Just thought it may be interesting to see. I am one those people (moved to OKC in 2013)

Me! Moved to OKC proper in 2015 from Norman after graduating from OU.

Perusing the available data, the three closest metro areas from OKC (except Tulsa) 2020 numbers:

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington - 7,637,387 (+1,270,845) 19.96%
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway- 748,031 (+48,274) 6.9%
Wichita-Winfield- 647,610 (+24,549) 3.94%

50,000 for the Little Rock area is a nice clip for the last 10 years.

Just curious, what brought you and GoGators to OKC in 2013. Want to welcome you and your families.

Part of it was ease of storm chasing. Then, there was just wanting to get away from the part of Ohio I lived in for 33 years. It's just not going anywhere economically.

Part of it was ease of storm chasing. Then, there was just wanting to get away from the part of Ohio I lived in for 33 years. It's just not going anywhere economically.

But you had to find another state that started with O or it just wasn’t the same :D

kind of a pointless question that isn't at all useful to understanding the details of the topic, but I'm curious to see how many people who are active on this site are among the 101,055 people who moved inside the OKC city limits since the 2010 count. Just thought it may be interesting to see. I am one those people (moved to OKC in 2013)

Me, in 2015 after 25 years in SoCal.

I've been traveling and took a break from the Internet for the better part of a week, but ironically I was in Milwaukee, which we just passed in city size.

It's funny because I was born in Milwaukee and my parents moved us to OKC for a job opportunity in the early '60s and at that time, OKC, was just a fraction of Milwaukee's size. I got to tell all my cousins that we finally passed them.

Once I get a bit caught up I'm going to compare the two cities and MSA's over the last 6 decades to see how we closed such a big gap.


Also, I want to compare the OKC percentage growth for both city and MSA to the last 10 decades or so. The threshold for "Boom City" growth is generally 20% and even though we didn't quite achieve that, I'm pretty sure the percentages #'s in 2020 are higher than any in a long time and maybe ever.

In its first 20 years the population of OKC went from 10K (on the evening of of the Run for the Unassigned Lands) to 64K. Between 1920 and 1930 the population of OKC proper went from 91K to 185K, which was a 100% increase in population during the city's 5th decade, supposedly making it the fastest growing city in the US. From 1940-1950 the population increased almost 20%.

kind of a pointless question that isn't at all useful to understanding the details of the topic, but I'm curious to see how many people who are active on this site are among the 101,055 people who moved inside the OKC city limits since the 2010 count. Just thought it may be interesting to see. I am one those people (moved to OKC in 2013)

I moved here in 2015 from the pacific northwest for an academic job. Had never been in this area of the country before, but really enjoy raising my family here.

kind of a pointless question that isn't at all useful to understanding the details of the topic, but I'm curious to see how many people who are active on this site are among the 101,055 people who moved inside the OKC city limits since the 2010 count. Just thought it may be interesting to see. I am one those people (moved to OKC in 2013)

I'm one as well. Moved to Norman in 2012 from NJ and then to OKC in early 2016.

50,000 for the Little Rock area is a nice clip for the last 10 years.

Great to see, I really like Little Rock. Really underrated city especially with its natural beauty on the west side and along the Arkansas River.

kind of a pointless question that isn't at all useful to understanding the details of the topic, but I'm curious to see how many people who are active on this site are among the 101,055 people who moved inside the OKC city limits since the 2010 count. Just thought it may be interesting to see. I am one those people (moved to OKC in 2013)

I since the 2010 Census I have moved from:

Sapulpa to Edmond in 2012.
Edmond to OKC in 2013
OKC to Edmond in 2013
Edmond to OKC in 2015
OKC to The Village in 2017
The Village to Edmond in 2020

After my fiancé finishes school, we're likely going to move back to OKC proper or The Village.

2010 to now....

Edmond to Norman
Norman to Downtown OKC (Park Harvey <3 you)
OKC back to Norman.

Pete, following up on your post, I'm curious how much our population grew during 2020. I'm guessing it must have been close to 20,000 or more. That's huge one-year growth for our city.

Here are the last several decades of OKC population:

1940: 204,424
1950: 243,504 19.1%
1960: 324,253 33.2%
1970: 366,481 13.0%
1980: 403,213 10.0%
1990: 444,605 10.3%
2000: 507,579 14.2%
2010: 579,999 14.3%
2020: 681,054 17.4%

As you can see, after 1960 we settled into a growth pattern of 10% to 14.3% per decade.

So, the 17.4% for 2010-2020 is a very healthy jump especially considering the higher base population. First time we've added more than 100K in a decade.

Comparing to Milwaukee, as I mentioned my family moved from there in 1962 when they were at peak population: 741,324 made them the 11th largest city in the U.S.

Since that time, OKC has gained 356,801 and Milwaukee has lost 164,102. We are now over 100K bigger than Brew Town.

MKE's MSA is still slightly larger (1,574,731 vs. 1,425,695) but we should pass them by the 2030 census.

Great to see, I really like Little Rock. Really underrated city especially with its natural beauty on the west side and along the Arkansas River.

I was excited to check out Little Rock when driving past on a Monday afternoon earlier this summer. There was nothing open downtown. Like nothing. We got a coffee and left without any food. Apparently, a lot of places close in afternoons, particularly on Mondays. It was bizarre.

I was excited to check out Little Rock when driving past on a Monday afternoon earlier this summer. There was nothing open downtown. Like nothing. We got a coffee and left without any food. Apparently, a lot of places close in afternoons, particularly on Mondays. It was bizarre.

Honestly, have you been downtown lately? The CBD is a freaking ghost town. Hard to judge a city for street life during a pandemic.

I since the 2010 Census I have moved from:

Sapulpa to Edmond in 2012.
Edmond to OKC in 2013
OKC to Edmond in 2013
Edmond to OKC in 2015
OKC to The Village in 2017
The Village to Edmond in 2020

After my fiancé finishes school, we're likely going to move back to OKC proper or The Village.

You are a unicorn client for a Realtor lol

You are a unicorn client for a Realtor lol

Fortunately, I am a renter. I would have lost enough money in closing costs over that time to buy another house.

Honestly, have you been downtown lately? The CBD is a freaking ghost town. Hard to judge a city for street life during a pandemic.

This was early in the summer when COVID cases were way down and things were looking a lot better.

Here are the last several decades of OKC population:

1940: 204,424
1950: 243,504 19.1%
1960: 324,253 33.2%
1970: 366,481 13.0%
1980: 403,213 10.0%
1990: 444,605 10.3%
2000: 507,579 14.2%
2010: 579,999 14.3%
2020: 681,054 17.4%

As you can see, after 1960 we settled into a growth pattern of 10% to 14.3% per decade.

So, the 17.4% for 2010-2020 is a very healthy jump especially considering the higher base population. First time we've added more than 100K in a decade.

Appreciate the numbers by each decade. Seeing that 17.4% increase tells me a lot about our market. The numbers allow us to prepare for housing--manageable growth figures. Especially since our housing market seems ready for the challenge.

Recall the guy from California who moved his family here (4 months ago) because he wanted his children to appreciate & adapt to all four seasons and get away from over crowded L.A. area where he resided.

Appreciate the responses from those who shared why they moved here; it gives you the true picture. Our population has doubled since 1960; there's plenty of room pockets for housing development. Those 25 sq. miles (5 x 5) within the core shows we can plan for manageable growth.

About 497,000 people (73% of OKC's 681,000) live in the shaded area, according to the 2020 Census, which is about 137 square miles (23% of OKC's 606.5 sq miles). That's a density of just over 3,600/sq mi.
https://i.imgur.com/yglP92R.jpg

About 497,000 people (73% of OKC's 681,000) live in the shaded area, according to the 2020 Census, which is about 137 square miles (23% of OKC's 606.5 sq miles). That's a density of just over 3,600/sq mi.


Thanks for the info KayneMo, didn't realize we were as dense in any area of our city. Truly appreciate your contributions to OKCTalk.com forum. Keep up the outstanding work.

Thanks for the info KayneMo, didn't realize we were as dense in any area of our city. Truly appreciate your contributions to OKCTalk.com forum. Keep up the outstanding work.

Thank you! My pleasure. If I counted right, OKC has 41 census tracts with densities of at least 5,000/sq mi, the top three being:
9,175/sq mi (bounded by N May, NW 122nd, Indian Creek Blvd, & Tealwood Dr)
9,005/sq mi (Memorial, N May, Tealwood, NW 122nd, Stratford Dr, & Highland Park Blvd)
8,700/sq mi (SW 44th, S May, SW 59th, S Villa)

It's hilarious that the Tulsa World article managed to not say "Oklahoma City" once. Talk about little brother syndrome, especially in light of the fact that OKC was the 8th fastest growing city in the US.

This must burn them up.

lol, for the record I don’t think most people up here think about OKC all that much.

lol, for the record I don’t think most people up here think about OKC all that much.

100%. Before I moved here for college, I knew absolutely nothing about OKC and maybe visited like 3 times. As a child, I thought OKC was smaller than Tulsa based on the limited information I had and how unimportant it seemed to the adults around me.

I don't think it is intentional. I just think Tulsan have a ton of pride in their city. When I try to explain why I prefer living in OKC to my friends, they look at you like you are telling them they have an ugly baby.

Racial composition of OKC from the new census:
White - 53.6% (down from 62.7% in 2010)
- Non-Hispanic White - 49.5% (down from 56.7%)
Black - 14.0% (down from 15.1%)
Native - 3.4% (down from 3.5%)
Asian - 4.6% (up from 4.0%)
Pacific Islander - 0.2% (up from 0.1%)
Other - 11.1% (up from 9.4%)
Two or more - 13.1% (up from 5.2%)
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) - 21.3% (up from 17.2%)

By raw numbers:
White - 364,706 (up from 363,646)
- Non-Hispanic White - 337,063 (up from 328,582)
Black - 95,634 (up from 87,354)
Native - 23,476 (up from 20,533)
Asian - 31,510 (up from 23,310)
Pacific Islander - 1,089 (up from 586)
Other - 75,426 (up from 54,593)
Two or more - 89,213 (up from 29,977)
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) - 144,761 (up from 100,038)

Racial composition of OKC from the new census:
White - 53.6% (down from 62.7% in 2010)
- Non-Hispanic White - 49.5% (down from 56.7%)
Black - 14.0% (down from 15.1%)
Native - 3.4% (down from 3.5%)
Asian - 4.6% (up from 4.0%)
Pacific Islander - 0.2% (up from 0.1%)
Other - 11.1% (up from 9.4%)
Two or more - 13.1% (up from 5.2%)
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) - 21.3% (up from 17.2%)

By raw numbers:
White - 364,706 (up from 363,646)
- Non-Hispanic White - 337,063 (up from 328,582)
Black - 95,634 (up from 87,354)
Native - 23,476 (up from 20,533)
Asian - 31,510 (up from 23,310)
Pacific Islander - 1,089 (up from 586)
Other - 75,426 (up from 54,593)
Two or more - 89,213 (up from 29,977)
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) - 144,761 (up from 100,038)

Thank you, KayneMo for the raw numbers...

All of these figures in all categories are impressive. Especially the gains in Hispanic or Latino (44,673), Black (8,280), Asian (8,200) and Native (2,943). Really exhibits the diversity in Oklahoma City. Being among the company of 14 cities to gain 100k or more population is exemplary of our city's growth--it's big league. When we look at OKC Hispanic population, didn't realize how many Hispanic-Latinos are apart of our city's largest growth category. Percentage wise it's difficult to continue to make significant % gains because the raw numbers expand.

One day I recall taking a friend (His auto was in the shop) to visit his daughter in far north OKC beyond 122nd between the area of Western to Meridian Avenues; discovered apartment complexes that were predominately Hispanic-Latino with what appeared to be much population density greater than the older settled traditional Capitol Hill District & areas of our city near Wiley Post/Wheeler Park/Rotary Park and Woodson Park areas.

Since MAPS completed & opened the Bricktown Ballpark, Canal & Arena, it marked a resurgence of our old downtown warehouse district that now serves the Paycom Arena area with restaurants and entertainment. OKC could have become an NHL city had we not been rejected in 1997.

Are these numbers OKC only not Midwest City, Norman, Edmond etc? Black population although growing is disappointing to me as an African American. More NE OKC development and employers needed to stimulate greater growth among that demographic.

Are these numbers OKC only not Midwest City, Norman, Edmond etc? Black population although growing is disappointing to me as an African American. More NE OKC development and employers needed to stimulate greater growth among that demographic.

With that being said, it will be interesting to see the numbers on how many Black families moved from OKC proper to the suburbs.

With me being African-American and living in a nice neighborhood in Moore. I can personally say that the Black family population in my neighborhood has doubled in the last 10 years.

I personally know minority families that have moved out of OKC proper to move to Moore/Norman and Yukon/Mustang area.

Racial composition of OKC from the new census:
White - 53.6% (down from 62.7% in 2010)
- Non-Hispanic White - 49.5% (down from 56.7%)
Black - 14.0% (down from 15.1%)
Native - 3.4% (down from 3.5%)
Asian - 4.6% (up from 4.0%)
Pacific Islander - 0.2% (up from 0.1%)
Other - 11.1% (up from 9.4%)
Two or more - 13.1% (up from 5.2%)
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) - 21.3% (up from 17.2%)

By raw numbers:
White - 364,706 (up from 363,646)
- Non-Hispanic White - 337,063 (up from 328,582)
Black - 95,634 (up from 87,354)
Native - 23,476 (up from 20,533)
Asian - 31,510 (up from 23,310)
Pacific Islander - 1,089 (up from 586)
Other - 75,426 (up from 54,593)
Two or more - 89,213 (up from 29,977)
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) - 144,761 (up from 100,038)

Very interesting! Thanks for running those. I assume this is the first time in city history that non-Hispanic whites have not comprised a majority of the city's population?

Out of curiosity can you point me to a source for the non-Hispanic white numbers for 2010 and 2000? I can find Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic and other races separately but haven't dug into the data to specifically separate out Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic whites. The only site I've found has us at 53.5% in that category but it isn't clear to me if that's from the 2019 estimate (https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/oklahomacitycityoklahoma/RHI825219).

Thanks!

G.W.That area, Moore/Norman has always appealed to me over MWC, Yukon. Edmond is ok but feels like a mass of subdivisions with no real center per se.

Are these numbers OKC only not Midwest City, Norman, Edmond etc? Black population although growing is disappointing to me as an African American. More NE OKC development and employers needed to stimulate greater growth among that demographic.

Yes these numbers are for OKC proper only.

With that being said, it will be interesting to see the numbers on how many Black families moved from OKC proper to the suburbs.

With me being African-American and living in a nice neighborhood in Moore. I can personally say that the Black family population in my neighborhood has doubled in the last 10 years.

I personally know minority families that have moved out of OKC proper to move to Moore/Norman and Yukon/Mustang area.

The Black percentage did indeed increase in most suburbs. Moore, for example, is now 6.0% Black, up from 4.6%. Edmond is 6.6%, up from 5.5%.

Here's the site I've been using: https://data.dispatch.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/oklahoma-city-city-oklahoma/160-4055000/

Very interesting! Thanks for running those. I assume this is the first time in city history that non-Hispanic whites have not comprised a majority of the city's population?

Out of curiosity can you point me to a source for the non-Hispanic white numbers for 2010 and 2000? I can find Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic and other races separately but haven't dug into the data to specifically separate out Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic whites. The only site I've found has us at 53.5% in that category but it isn't clear to me if that's from the 2019 estimate (https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/oklahomacitycityoklahoma/RHI825219).

Thanks!

Yes I believe this is the first time in city history that Non-Hispanic Whites are not the majority.

For 2020, I've been using this: https://data.dispatch.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/oklahoma-city-city-oklahoma/160-4055000/
At the bottom it shows cities and towns in Oklahoma with their Non-Hispanic White numbers.

For 2010, I used this: https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-1-38.pdf
The total for Non-Hispanic Whites (and Non-Hispanics for other races) for OKC is on page 114, near the top of Table 4.

I haven't looked up 2000 census numbers so I don't have a source for that.

I wonder how many of these people simply have switched what racial/ethnic group they identify with from the 2010 census.

The Black percentage did indeed increase in most suburbs. Moore, for example, is now 6.0% Black, up from 4.6%. Edmond is 6.6%, up from 5.5%.

Here's the site I've been using: https://data.dispatch.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/oklahoma-city-city-oklahoma/160-4055000/

Great source of data! Thanks for posting