Downtown of Oklahoma City

The State Capitol of Oklahoma

Oklahoma City (sometimes abbreviated as OKC) is the capital and principal city of the state of Oklahoma in the United States of America. It is the county seat of Oklahoma County, but portions of Oklahoma City is located in Cleveland, Canadian, McClain, and Pottawatomie counties.

The city is comprised of a dynamic urban core with sprawling residential suburbs toward the fringes of the metropolitan area. Oklahoma City is the 29th-largest city in the nation, according to a 2003 report from the U.S. Census Bureau. The city's population on July 1, 2003 totaled 523,303 with more than 1.25 million residents in the metroplex. Oklahoma City is the 29th-largest city in the nation, according to the 2003 report from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Oklahoma City is home to many professional sports teams including the Oklahoma RedHawks minor league baseball team (AAA). Others include the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, the Oklahoma City Blazers, the Oklahoma Storm and Oklahoma City Ballhawgs, and the Oklahoma City Lightning.

Remington Park in NE OKC is the state's largest racetrack.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1,608.8 km² (621.2 mi²). 1,572.1 km² (607.0 mi²) of it is land and 36.7 km² (14.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.28% water.

Oklahoma City is one of the largest cities in the country in terms of geographic area, although its urbanized zone is only 244 mi² - resulting in an urban population density more comparable to that found in other major cities with unlimited growth available far into the future.

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Oklahoma City is the principle city of the eight county Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area, the state's largest urban area.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 506,132 people, 204,434 households, and 129,406 families residing in the city. The population density was 321.9/km² (833.8/mi²) considering the entire city limits but was more than 2600/mi² for the urbanized area. There were 228,149 housing units at an average density of 145.1/km² (375.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 60.41% White, 18.37% Black or African American, 3.51% Native American, 3.48% Asian American, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 5.28% from other races, and 3.89% from two or more races. 16.15% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 204,434 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,947, and the median income for a family was $42,689. Males had a median income of $31,589 versus $24,420 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,098. 16.0% of the population and 12.4% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 23.0% of those under the age of 18 and 9.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Transportation

Near the geographic and population centers of the nation, Oklahoma City is an integral point on the U.S. Interstate Network. Most Highways Throughout the City are 8-10 Lanes with Traffic Congestion one of the best in the Country. Interstate 35, Interstate 40, and Interstate 44 bisect at the city, Interstate 240 connects I-40 to I-44 in South OKC, OK 74 Lake Hefner Parkway runs threw Northwest Oklahoma City, Kilpatrick Turnpike runs threw far Northwest OKC, Airport Rd. runs threw Southwest Oklahoma City and Leads to Will Rogers World Airport, U.S. 77 Broadway Extension connects Central Oklahoma City to Edmond, and Interstate 235 spurs from I-44 in North Central OKC into downtown Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City was once a major stop on now-defunct U.S. Highway 66 and was prominently mentioned in Nat King Cole's 1946 jazz classic, "(Get Your Kicks) on Route 66."

Oklahoma City is served by two primary airports, Will Rogers World Airport and Wiley Post Airport.

Amtrak has an Art Deco train station downtown. Greyhound and several other intercity bus companies serve Oklahoma City at Union Bus Station, Downtown.

METRO (http://www.gometro.org/) Transit is the public transit company. They recently opened a new state-of-the-art bus terminal downtown at NW 5th Street and Hudson Avenue. Talks have seriously begun way for a Light Rail system for the City.

Major Attractions

Most of the big city attractions are located in inner city districts, as is the case with other major US cities.

• The Bricktown Entertainment District (http://www.bricktownokc.com/) in downtown Oklahoma City is the fastest growing entertainment district in the Southwest and is one of the city's most popular destinations. The historic area seen a renaissance over the last 10 years, and is now bustling with restaurants, dance clubs, live music venues, retail shops, offices, lofts and condos. The Bricktown Canal stretches one mile through the district and runs to a park past the Oklahoma Land Run Monument. Lower Bricktown boasts a brand new movie complex (http://harkinstheatres.moviefone.com/showtimes/theater.adp?theaterid=7627), Bass Pro Outdoor World (http://www.basspro.com/), and upscale retail. Several new hotels and high-rise apartment towers are planned in addition to added retail.

• Oklahoma City has the largest Asian population in the state and is home to a rapidly growing cultural district called, simply, the Asia District, as it encompasses Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Korean, and Filipino cultures and cuisines. Centred primarily along Classen Boulevard from 22nd Street to NW 30th, the district has a multitude of restaurants, Asian-oriented retail, Asian supermarkets, and attractions. The Asia District is also known as Little Saigon, Little Asia, and the Asian District. Additionally, a fledgling Japanese cultural district is developing near N. 50th Street and Western.

• The Capitol Hill district is due south of downtown and is the centre of Hispanic oriented commerce in the city. Oklahoma City has The largest Hispanic Population in the State with the majority in the Southside of the City And West Oklahoma City. The Eastside district is home to the state's largest African American community and is experiencing a renaissance of its own. Once a perfect example of urban blight and stereotypical undersight, the Eastside now boasts numerous development. An African American Heritage museum is currently in the works along with a resurgence of the NE 23rd Business District.

• Oklahoma City has a vibrant, thriving gay community, which is also the largest in the state. This community is principally along NW 39th Expressway between Pennsylvania and May Aves. The NW 39th Street Enclave rivals Bricktown in terms of sheer volume of clubs, bars, and nightlife yet the city leaders usually do not actively promote the district as a tourist venue. Gay OKC Web Portal (http://www.gayokc.com/), Gayly Oklahoman (http://www.gayly.com/)

• The Paseo Arts District (http://www.okclive.com/paseo/location.htm/) was built in 1929 as the first commercial shopping district north of downtown Oklahoma City. This little Spanish village with its stucco building and clay tile roofs is the home of Oklahoma City's artists' community, the only such district in the state. Located along the Paseo Drive at roughly N. Walker Ave and NW 28th Street, the district is home to a number of chic' bars and restaurants and hosts an arts festival in the spring.

• Located at the Agnew Exit South of I-40 to Exchange Ave, Stockyards City (http://www.stockyardscity.org/) is home to the home of the largest stocker/feeder cattle market in the world. Stockyard City recaptures the architectural flavor of the earlier part of this century, with gaslights and wooden storefronts. Many of the businesses in Stockyards City date back to the early 1900s when the area was home to the major meat packing companies. The district still has weekly cattle auctions as well as the venerable Cattleman's Steakhouse (http://www.cattlemensrestaurant.com/). A number of special events have sprung up as well, including Longhorn Cattle Drive each December, sidewalk sales between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the Stockyards Stampede the first weekend each June.

Other Attractions

Besides the skyscrapers that cluster in the city's busy central business district, one of the more prominent landmarks downtown is the Crystal Bridge at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Designed by I. M. Pei after the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, the Crystal Bridge is a tropical conservatory that contains foliage more akin to the Amazon River basin than the Great Plains of North America. The park has several ampitheatres where live theatre and concerts can be seen and heard in the summer. There is also a lake in the middle of the park lined with large Red, Yellow, and of course - GOLD goldfish. Waterfalls add life-giving oxygen to the lake as well as an added attraction for visitors.

The Myriad Botanical Garden (http://www.myriadgardens.com/)s is one of the more creative downtown urban parks in the nation and is the city's most romantic. The park is also home to the free Twilight Concert Series (summer) and the city's top festivals, including the annual Festival of the Arts (April), the annual Downtown Salute (http://www.downtownokc.com) (a month-long festival in July complete with parades, free concert acts, and the three-day long Bricktown 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks), and Opening Night (December 31/January 1).

The Oklahoma City Zoological Park (http://www.okczoo.com/) is one of the Top 10 in the country (#3 to be specific) and is the oldest zoo in the Southwest US. It is home to numerous natural habitats and hosts major touring concerts during the summer at its ampitheatre.

The Omniplex (http://www.omniplex.org/) Museum is one of the largest Science Centers and General Interest Museums in the Country and is home to the Omnidome Imax theater (http://www.omniplex.org/html/omnidome_theater.html). Known as the Smithsonian museum of the SW, Omniplex houses many informative exhibits on space travel, photography, pioneer life, and more. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum (http://www.cowboyhalloffame.org/) has galleries full of priceless western art and treasures.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial in north downtown was created to honor the victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were changed forever on April 19, 1995. The outdoor Symbolic Memorial, can be visited 24 hours a day for free, and the Smithsonian-quality Memorial Museum can be entered for a small fee.

Among the other new attractions, include a new downtown home for the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (http://www.okcartmuseum.com/). The museum features a foreign film theatre, numerous galleries, and a very nice fine dining restaurant. OCMA is also home to the largest and most comprehensive collection of Chihuly glass in the world including the three-story Chihuly tower the Museum’s atrium. There are numerous state and federal museums located in the city as well. The capitol building's dome (http://www.oklahomadome.com/) was recently finished as it was one of the few state capitol buildings that did not have a dome atop the structure.

Also in downtown Oklahoma City, Ford Centre (http://www.okfordcenter.com/) plays host to major concerts and is home to the city's professional sports teams as is the SBC Bricktown Ballpark and Cox Convention Centre Arena nearby. The newly renovated Civic Centre Music Hall (http://www.okcciviccenter.org/) showcases performances from ballet and opera performance to traveling Broadway shows and concerts. Stage Centre for the Performing Arts (http://www.stagecenter.com/) is home to many of the city's top theatre companies.

Other theatres include the Lyric Theatre (http://www.lyrictheatreokc.com/) and the Jewel Box Theatre (http://www.jewelboxtheatre.org/), both in midtown and the new 1,200 seat Kirkpatrick Auditorium (http://www.okcu.edu/music/musictheater.asp) and 488-seat Petree Recital Hall at Oklahoma City University.

Upscale shopping is available at Penn Square Mall, 50 Penn Place, Belle Aisle Shopping Centre, Quail Springs Mall (http://www.quailspringsmall.com/), as well as the posh suburbs of Nichols Hills and Edmond. Crossroads Mall (http://www.shopcrossroadsmall.com/), the largest mall in the state, is located in South Oklahoma City, at the I-240 and I-35 junction.

For the kids and the young at heart, Six Flags Frontier City (http://www.sixflags.com/parks/frontiercity/) offers a Western Theme to a funpark with numerous coasters, legendary rides, and games for all ages. The park has a reinactment of a Western Shootout at the OK Corrale and also hosts a national concert circuit at its ampitheatre. White Water Bay (http://www.sixflags.com/parks/whitewaterbay/) is a Six Flags Water Park located just north of Will Rogers World Airport.

Walking trails line beautiful Lake Hefner in the northwest part of the city and downtown at the canal and the Oklahoma River. Lake Stanley Draper, the city's largest and most remote, offers more of an excape from the big city and has a more natural feel. The city is implementing a new trail system that will be akin to a bicycle freeway system, allowing residents to access all of the natural beauty of the region and still be within stomping distance to city attractions.

Education

Oklahoma City is home to many colleges and universities, including Oklahoma City University in midtown, Oklahoma State University - OKC, the University of Oklahoma, just south of the city in Norman, and the OU Health Science Center, in Oklahoma City. The third-largest university in Oklahoma, the University of Central Oklahoma is located just north of the city in Edmond. Oklahoma City Community College is the largest community college in the state. There are also a number of private colleges and universities in the city, including Oklahoma Christian University, Southern Nazarene University, [University of Phoenix (http://www.phoenix.edu/ZipLocations.asp?Orga=34)], Mid-America Bible College, American Christian College and Seminary, and Metropolitan College.

The Oklahoma City Public School district is the largest in the state and is one of the few urban districts in the nation with a growing enrollment, due largely because of the so-called MAPS for KIDs city-wide improvement plan. Putnam City Public Schools, which covers suburban NW OKC, is the largest suburban school district in the state. Numerous other suburban districts circle the urban OCPS district and the city has very well developed private and parochial schools, including Cassady School and the schools of the ArchDiocese of Oklahoma City.

Notables

Oklahoma City has an exciting history that began in one day with the 1889 Land Run, and after hard times over the years, the city has turned itself around and made itself a lively, attractive place to live and to visit.

Sadly, on April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh and his accomplices bombed the Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 in the worst Terrorist Attack on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington (see Oklahoma City bombing)

Defunct Sports Teams

• Oklahoma Wranglers : Arena Football League - now Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
• Oklahoma City Cavalry : Continental Basketball Association
• Oklahoma City 89ers : American Association minor league baseball - now Oklahoma RedHawks
• Oklahoma City Stars : CHL Hockey Team
• Oklahoma City Coyotes : RHI Roller Hockey Team

Famous Persons from OKC

• Jim Thorpe, athlete
• JC Watts, football player, politician
• Wayne Coyne and Michael Ivins, of the band The Flaming Lips
• Ralph Ellison, writer
• Johnny Bench, baseball player
• Bullet Rogan, baseball player
• Suzy Amis, actress

Famous Inventions from OKC

• Parking meters
• Traffic Signal
• The shopping cart (the Omniplex even features a statue of its creator, depicted pushing a shopping cart)

Best Restaurants/Recipes in OKC

• Chicken Fried Steak {yummie}
• Pho (vietnamese noodle soup)
• Mexican food
• SONIC
• Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy

Restaurant reviews are available online at Oklahoma City's largest weekly independent newspaper, the Oklahoma Gazette (http://www.okgazette.com)

Famous Songs from or about OKC

• "Route 66", Nat King Cole
• "Heart of Rock 'N Roll", Huey Lewis and the News
• "A Little Too Loose", Mr. Big

AKA

• OKC
• OK City
• Okla City
• the city
• Frontier City
• the Renaissance City
• the City Dreams are Made Of
• the Capital of the 21 Century
• the World's Largest Parking Lot

External links

• Visitors Centre (http://www.visitokc.com/)
• Chamber of Commerce (http://www.okcchamber.com/)
• Digital City Oklahoma City (http://www.digitalcity.com/oklahomacity/)
• Frontier Country (http://www.oktourism.com/)
• Municipal Web Portal (http://www.ci.okc.ok.us/)
• Oklahoma City Key Magazine (http://www.keyokc.com/)
• Oklahoma City Web Portal (http://www.okconline.com/)
• OKCLive (http://www.okclive.com/)
• Arts Council of Oklahoma City (http://www.artscouncilokc.org/)

Regions of Oklahoma
Cherokee Outlet - Panhandle
Largest Cities
Broken Arrow - Edmond - Enid - Lawton - Midwest City - Moore - Norman - Oklahoma City - Stillwater - Tulsa
Counties
Adair - Alfalfa - Atoka - Beaver - Beckham - Blaine - Bryan - Caddo - Canadian - Carter - Cherokee - Choctaw - Cimarron - Cleveland - Coal - Comanche - Cotton - Craig - Creek - Custer - Delaware - Dewey - Ellis - Garfield - Garvin - Grady - Grant - Greer - Harmon - Harper - Haskell - Hughes - Jackson - Jefferson - Johnston - Kay - Kingfisher - Kiowa - Latimer - Le Flore - Lincoln - Logan - Love - Major - Marshall - Mayes - McClain - McCurtain - McIntosh - Murray - Muskogee - Noble - Nowata - Okfuskee - Oklahoma - Okmulgee - Osage - Ottawa - Pawnee - Payne - Pittsburg - Pontotoc - Pottawatomie - Pushmataha - Roger Mills - Rogers - Seminole - Sequoyah - Stephens - Texas - Tillman - Tulsa - Wagoner - Washington - Washita - Woods - Woodward

da:Oklahoma City de:Oklahoma City eo:Oklahoma City sv:Oklahoma City, Oklahoma