Population Growth for OKC

[BG918]

Any growth that shows Oklahoma and its top population center is growing is good for the state.

Net migration by state: https://tampabayedc.com/wp-content/u...n-by-State.pdf

BTW BG918 are you able to share the link to your figures.

RegionTrack

[Laramie]

RegionTrack is there an actual link . . .

Now if this site requires a subscription, then never mind.

Oklahoma 4,019,800 - 3,959,346 (60,454) 1.53% Thanks, Swake

[Laramie]

Concern:

Wikipedia list Metropolitan statistical area with an 'error:'

42 Oklahoma City, OK MSA 1,441,647 - 1,425,695 is the 2021 figure

Above the 2021 and 2020 population are reversed or we wouldn't have a +1.12% change in green as a positive growth change.

Someone with an account with Wikipedia needs to make or suggest an edit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrop...atistical_area

The 'error' only occurred with Oklahoma City MSA. We had a gain of 15,592 during that one year +1.12%

Hope Wikipedia will make that correction when they release the 2023 - 2022 estimates . . .

[Bunty]

But, but, the cities are only growing due to people leaving the farms and moving to them. Nice to see that Oklahoma is growing!

That has been going on in Oklahoma for many years. Some distant rural counties from OKC started consistently declining in population even before the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, due to advances in mechanized agriculture, so not as many people needed for labor. Those counties also never enjoyed a major oil boom, such as Grant.

Other factors also explain why big cities have been attracting industry and more jobs.

[chssooner]

That has been going on in Oklahoma for many years. Some distant rural counties from OKC started consistently declining in population even before the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, due to advances in mechanized agriculture, so not as many people needed for labor. Those counties also never enjoyed a major oil boom, such as Grant.

Other factors also explain why big cities have been attracting industry and more jobs.

I know. The cities are gaining population from the rural areas. But the state itself is gaining population. so it isn't just internal migration in Oklahoma, but also eternal into Oklahoma.

[Swake]

I know. The cities are gaining population from the rural areas. But the state itself is gaining population. so it isn't just internal migration in Oklahoma, but also eternal into Oklahoma.

But most of Oklahoma outside of Oklahoma City and Tulsa is dying.

Since 2010 Tulsa's MSA added 86,510 people and OKC's added 188,660 people. The entire rest of the state lost 61,609. Almost 2/3rds of Oklahomans now live in the two metros. Oklahoma is no longer a rural state.

[soonerguru]

But most of Oklahoma outside of Oklahoma City and Tulsa is dying.

Since 2010 Tulsa's MSA added 86,510 people and OKC's added 188,660 people. The entire rest of the state lost 61,609. Almost 2/3rds of Oklahomans now live in the two metros. Oklahoma is no longer a rural state.

And yet we still have this awful rurally driven legislature making a mockery of our state with their stupidity and shameful idiocy. How much longer before we at least have some degree of political balance / sanity? Asking for lots of friends who are considering G'ingTFO of Oklahoma.

[chssooner]

But most of Oklahoma outside of Oklahoma City and Tulsa is dying.

Since 2010 Tulsa's MSA added 86,510 people and OKC's added 188,660 people. The entire rest of the state lost 61,609. Almost 2/3rds of Oklahomans now live in the two metros. Oklahoma is no longer a rural state.

Not sure you added anything to my comment, other than additional facts and figures (which are good to have).

[scottk]

And yet we still have this awful rurally driven legislature making a mockery of our state with their stupidity and shameful idiocy. How much longer before we at least have some degree of political balance / sanity? Asking for lots of friends who are considering G'ingTFO of Oklahoma.

Until voter turnout in the core of the urban areas can shake the rest of the state's dominant hold...it is what it is.

[stlokc]

It’s primarily a function of how the districts are drawn.

Much like gerrymanding that ensures OK’s congressional districts remain completely GOP. Realistically probably 2 out of the 5 should be Democratic.

The same things happen at the state level. It’s just lower profile so it flies under the radar.

[Swake]

Not sure you added anything to my comment, other than additional facts and figures (which are good to have).

My point is that Oklahoma is not growing, its cities are. The rest of the state is far from growing. If anything the overall state and government are impeding growth.

[Bunty]

And yet we still have this awful rurally driven legislature making a mockery of our state with their stupidity and shameful idiocy. How much longer before we at least have some degree of political balance / sanity? Asking for lots of friends who are considering G'ingTFO of Oklahoma.

What's all that bad about Oklahoma, especially in relation to other states? Unlike Kansas and Texas, Oklahoma has legal casinos. One of them is one of the biggest in the world, if not the very biggest. Oklahoma has the most liberal medical marijuana program in the country. In March vote yes to legalize rec marijuana and lots of people from Texas and Kansas will be crossing the border to buy some and raising tax revenue. To help with food inflation, Oklahoma needs to finally abolish sales tax on groceries and that would help offset it. Oklahoma isn't able to draw much industry from the outside, so needs to continue trying to grow its own industry within the state.

Be thankful that rural legislators and rural voters haven't been able to put a stop to making things legal mentioned above. Besides that, modernized alcohol laws went into effect in October 2018, and that helped a lot. If Oklahomans want to do more to make Oklahoma yet a better state, then they need to do more with petitions for yes votes on progressive issues. It's interesting how since 2014 Oklahomans have been far more interested in petitioning to get med or rec marijuana legalized while not one petition has been about raising the min. wage. As a result, the min. wage in Oklahoma is still at $7.25, while in Arkansas it's clear up to $11.00.

Rural legislators in Texas have also been making a mockery of their state, such as banning abortion. Yet, Texas continues as one of the fastest growing states.

[Bunty]

And yet we still have this awful rurally driven legislature making a mockery of our state with their stupidity and shameful idiocy. How much longer before we at least have some degree of political balance / sanity? Asking for lots of friends who are considering G'ingTFO of Oklahoma.

LOL, since when weren't lots of people considering G'ingTFO of Oklahoma!?

[citywokchinesefood]

LOL, since when weren't lots of people considering G'ingTFO of Oklahoma!?

The vast majority of my friends I went to OU with have moved out of Oklahoma. Working in the hospitality industry for decades I have seen a huge amount of the best and brightest members of my staff eventually move on to positions outside of the state at various restaurants. I understand this is my subjective experience, but over the last two decades I have been here I have seen a lot of college educated people leave.

[Celebrator]

Some people are moving INTO Texas and Oklahoma simply because their laws are NOT as progressive as other states. Some of these people moving in WANT to be in states that are not as politically progressive. I know several of these families. It's interesting to see how the pandemic highlighted government policies that motivated many to move--just look at the growth Florida saw during that time. And it seems as if this is only going to increase. People are looking for governmental policies and cultural values that match their own preferences. Which is fine. Many people in "blue" states could NEVER imagine living in a "red" states and vice versa. If moving isn't an option, people can always get politically active and work towards change.

[Rover]

Some people are moving INTO Texas and Oklahoma simply because their laws are NOT as progressive as other states. Some of these people moving in WANT to be in states that are not as politically progressive. I know several of these families. It's interesting to see how the pandemic highlighted government policies that motivated many to move--just look at the growth Florida saw during that time. And it seems as if this is only going to increase. People are looking for governmental policies and cultural values that match their own preferences. Which is fine. Many people in "blue" states could NEVER imagine living in a "red" states and vice versa. If moving isn't an option, people can always get politically active and work towards change.

For those of us who would like to stay, we would rather not have people move in who have little to contribute whose personal politics are stifling to economic and social progress and competing in the real world, and who do not believe in education or the arts either. Or those who believe freedom, independence and choice is only for them and their tribe.

[BDP]

I understand this is my subjective experience, but over the last two decades I have been here I have seen a lot of college educated people leave.

I don't doubt that, but I can guarantee you it's a lot less than in the two decades before that.

It was some time ago (ten years or so?), but I believe the Gazette had an article about the changing age demographics in OKC and the one age group that had grown the most, percentage wise, was people in their 20s. It is so much "younger" than it was in the 90s for sure. I'm in no way saying it's like Austin or Denver, etc,, but it's changed a lot in that direction.

[gopokes88]

Some people are moving INTO Texas and Oklahoma simply because their laws are NOT as progressive as other states. Some of these people moving in WANT to be in states that are not as politically progressive. I know several of these families. It's interesting to see how the pandemic highlighted government policies that motivated many to move--just look at the growth Florida saw during that time. And it seems as if this is only going to increase. People are looking for governmental policies and cultural values that match their own preferences. Which is fine. Many people in "blue" states could NEVER imagine living in a "red" states and vice versa. If moving isn't an option, people can always get politically active and work towards change.

The updated Census estimates showed, red states growing blue states shrinking.

[GoGators]

The updated Census estimates showed, red states growing blue states shrinking.

If that estimate is accurate, Oklahoma got over the 4 million mark in 2022.

[chssooner]

The updated Census estimates showed, red states growing blue states shrinking.

Things are more expensive in those particular blue states. Taxes are higher, gas prices are higher. So while there are benefits to living there socially, tminflation over the last 1.5 years has driven people to cheaper states, where they have more buying power. Ideally, they would turn the state purple, but not enough young liberals in Oklahoma vote. So it has stayed red.

[Swake]

If that estimate is accurate, Oklahoma got over the 4 million mark in 2022.

Oklahoma's official 2022 Census estimate is 4,019.800

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fa...K,US/PST045222

[gopokes88]

Things are more expensive in those particular blue states. Taxes are higher, gas prices are higher. So while there are benefits to living there socially, tminflation over the last 1.5 years has driven people to cheaper states, where they have more buying power. Ideally, they would turn the state purple, but not enough young liberals in Oklahoma vote. So it has stayed red.

There could be hundreds of reasons why. The statement red states growing blue states shrinking is true for 19/20 on that list. (Louisiana being the exception).

It's also interesting Oklahoma grew more than Colorado or Oregon last year. Two states i often hear people compare OK against.

[shavethewhales]

In addition to rising prices and lack of housing opportunity, there are other issues such as constant wildfires in the west, major droughts, changes to VISA requirements and college acceptance, etc. Lots of things to analyze beyond red vs. blue.

At the end of the day though it is amazing that people are choosing to move to OK. Housing aside, it's not THAT much cheaper to live here after you factor in all the taxes. The quality of life here is often much lower than other places unless you live in the heart of OKC or Tulsa and seek things out. Education in this state is circling the drain and getting worse all the time. I have often presumed that our failing schools will eventually be the death of the state, but it hasn't happened yet obviously.

[poe]

Moved to OKC in August to take a new job and I’m so glad I did. After spending 21 years in Texas, I was over it for various reasons. None of the large cities in Texas appeal to me the way OKC does, and the transition from Texas to Oklahoma was very easy.

[April in the Plaza]

In addition to rising prices and lack of housing opportunity, there are other issues such as constant wildfires in the west, major droughts, changes to VISA requirements and college acceptance, etc. Lots of things to analyze beyond red vs. blue.

At the end of the day though it is amazing that people are choosing to move to OK. Housing aside, it's not THAT much cheaper to live here after you factor in all the taxes. The quality of life here is often much lower than other places unless you live in the heart of OKC or Tulsa and seek things out. Education in this state is circling the drain and getting worse all the time. I have often presumed that our failing schools will eventually be the death of the state, but it hasn't happened yet obviously.

Definitely wish we’d invest more into each student. But I would assume most of the young executive types (and holders of capital) are completely immune from the State’s public school situation.