Shawnee
RANK #248 / 996 NAT · #8 / 14 OK · POP 72,734
1YR FORECAST: +3.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, is characterized by its blend of Native American heritage and a growing suburban feel, anchored by its county seat, Shawnee. Located about 40 miles east of Oklahoma City on I-40, the county offers a commute to the larger metropolitan area. The community provides access to outdoor recreation, including Twin Lakes Reservoir for fishing, kayaking, and camping, as well as numerous local parks in Shawnee, such as the Kidspace Park. The landscape features rolling Cross Timbers terrain.
Life in Pottawatomie County often involves a mix of residents, including families and those who commute to nearby Oklahoma City. The county's economy has a history rooted in agriculture and manufacturing. Recent economic developments show a focus on expanding existing businesses and attracting new capital investments across various sectors. The local workforce is supported by educational partners like Oklahoma Baptist University and Gordon Cooper Technology Center, which offers specialized programs such as an FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technology program.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.0x 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Pottawatomie Battery/Storage
Undisclosed (part of SPP interconnection queue)
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Sovereign Pipe Technologies (SPT) Manufacturing Plant
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
|
$50M | Operating |
|
I-40 Widening and Bridge Reconstruction
Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Residential Developments (Multiple Communities)
Various Home Builders
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 75/100, Pottawatomie County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.2%, and median household income stands at $58,270 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in OK.
By national standards, Pottawatomie County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $147,000, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $848/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Pottawatomie County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.2% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +4.6% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.09% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Pottawatomie County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.