North Cleveland
RANK #711 / 996 NAT · #14 / 14 OK · POP 295,060
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
At 28/100, Cleveland County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $71,757 combined with job growth of -0.8% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, Cleveland County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $203,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.35 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,073/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Cleveland County's population is growing — up +1.0% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.8%). Home values shifted +2.0% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 6.17% of Cleveland County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.