RANK #660 / 996 · POP 295,060 · OK
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%
Cleveland County, Oklahoma, is home to Norman, the third-largest city in the state and site of the University of Oklahoma, a major institution that shapes the area's character. Located just south of Oklahoma City, the county offers a suburban and college-town atmosphere with a commute to the larger metropolitan area via Interstate 35. The landscape features significant water bodies like Lake Thunderbird and the Canadian River, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking along reservoir shores and riverfront greenways. Several parks and trails are available, including those within Lake Thunderbird State Park.
Life in Cleveland County often involves a mix of families and young professionals, many of whom own their homes. The public school systems, including Moore, Norman, and Noble Public Schools, are generally well-regarded. The economy is diverse, with agribusiness, the equine industry, and manufacturing contributing to the local picture. Recent economic development initiatives aim to support entrepreneurs and foster business growth, with a focus on nurturing startups and providing services like seed and venture capital. The presence of the University of Oklahoma also contributes to research and development within the county.
Above national median (4.7x)
Contracting economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cleveland Battery/Storage Project
Undisclosed
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Rock Creek Entertainment District Arena
Cleveland County Commissioners
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cleveland County has a Boom Town Index score of 34/100, ranking #660 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.8% and a median household income of $71,757, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Cleveland County is $203,900 with median rent at $1,073/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3519, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.0% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.8%. Home values changed +2.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 6.17% of Cleveland County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.