Oklahoma City Southwest
RANK #519 / 996 NAT · #12 / 14 OK · POP 795,822
1YR FORECAST: +0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Central Oklahoma County is home to Oklahoma City, the state capital and most populous city, which anchors the larger Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The county is notable for being one of only a few in the U.S. that shares its name with its state, and the only one to contain its state capital. Commutes within the county are generally manageable, with many destinations reachable within 30 minutes. Outdoor recreation opportunities are available at places like Lake Stanley Draper and Arcadia Lake, and the Oklahoma River offers kayaking, paddleboarding, and whitewater rafting at RIVERSPORT Rapids. The county also features numerous parks and trails, including the Myriad Botanical Gardens downtown.
Life in Oklahoma County offers a blend of urban amenities and a comparatively slower pace. Many residents own their homes, and the public schools in towns like Edmond, Bethany, and Choctaw-Nicoma Park are highly rated. The economy is diverse, with key sectors including aviation, aerospace, and energy. Recent economic developments show growth in jobs and population, with ongoing investments in various industries. Public transportation options, including bus service, a streetcar, and ferry transit, help connect residents throughout the Oklahoma City metro area.
Below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.6x — home prices are low 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Google Data Center Expansion (Stillwater)
Google
|
$9,000M | Under Construction |
|
Oklahoma Data Center Campus (1,600MW AI Campus)
IREN
|
$1,600M | Planned |
|
HL 13 & 14 (Horseshoe Lake Power Plant expansion)
OG&E
|
$394M | Approved |
|
GridStor Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
GridStor (acquired from Black Mountain Energy Storage)
|
$200M | Under Construction |
|
Oklahoma Battery/Storage Project
Undisclosed (part of SPP interconnection queue)
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Continental Coliseum (New Downtown Arena)
Oklahoma City
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Oklahoma County scores 48/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#519). Median household income is $62,505 and job growth is running at +1.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Oklahoma County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $190,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $1,008/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Oklahoma County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.7% clip. Home values shifted -0.5% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.99% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Oklahoma County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.