View source for Oklahoma

{{Short description|U.S. state}}
{{About|the U.S. state}}
{{Redirect|Oklahoman|the newspaper|The Oklahoman{{!}}''The Oklahoman''|the film|The Oklahoman (film){{!}}''The Oklahoman'' (film)}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date = February 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox U.S. state
| native_name = {{native name|cho|Oklahumma}}<br>{{native name|chr|ᎣᎦᎳᎰᎹ}}<br>{{resize|90%|{{transliteration|chr|Ogalahoma}}}}
| image_flag = Flag of Oklahoma.svg
| name = Oklahoma
| image_seal = Seal of Oklahoma.svg
| flag_link = Flag of Oklahoma
| seal_link = Great Seal of Oklahoma
| nickname = {{Hlist|Native America (official)|Land of the Red Man|Sooner State}}
| motto = {{Lang|la|[[Labor omnia vincit]]}}<br />(English: "Work conquers all")
| anthem = "[[Oklahoma (Rodgers and Hammerstein song)|Oklahoma]]" and<br/>"[[Oklahoma Hills]]"
| image_map = Oklahoma in United States.svg
| OfficialLang = [[American English|English]], [[Choctaw language|Choctaw]], [[Cherokee language|Cherokee]]{{efn|[[Choctaw language|Choctaw]] official within [[Choctaw Nation]], [[Cherokee language|Cherokee]] official within [[Cherokee Nation]] and [[United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians|UKB]]}}<ref name=official>{{cite web |url=http://keetoowahcherokee.org/documents/GaduwaCherokeeNews/2009-04%20April.pdf |title=Keetoowah Cherokee is the Official Language of the UKB |date=April 2009 |publisher=Keetoowah Cherokee News: Official Publication of the [[United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians]] in Oklahoma |access-date=June 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715002414/http://keetoowahcherokee.org/documents/GaduwaCherokeeNews/2009-04%20April.pdf |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=constitution>{{cite web|url=http://www.keetoowahcherokee.org/documents/dikahnawadvsdi_ditsaleg.pdf|title=UKB Constitution and By-Laws in the Keetoowah Cherokee Language|publisher=United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma|access-date=July 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201132858/http://www.keetoowahcherokee.org/documents/dikahnawadvsdi_ditsaleg.pdf|archive-date=February 1, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=CARLA />
| population_demonym = Oklahoman; <br/>[[Okie]] ([[colloquialism|colloq.]], historically [[derogatory]]); <br/>[[Sooners|Sooner]] (historically)
| seat = [[Oklahoma City]]
| LargestCity = capital
| LargestCounty = [[Oklahoma County, Oklahoma|Oklahoma]]
| LargestMetro = [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area|Greater Oklahoma City]]
| area_rank = 20th
| area_total_sq_mi = 69,699
| area_total_km2 = 180,519
| area_land_sq_mi = 68,595
| area_land_km2 = 177,660
| area_water_sq_mi = 1,304
| area_water_km2 = 3,377
| width_mi = 230
| width_km = 370
| length_mi = 468
| length_km = 756
| area_water_percent = 1.9
| Latitude = 33°37' N to 37° N
| Longitude = 94° 26' W to 103° W ({{Coord|35|-98|dim:300000_region:US-OK_type:adm1st|name=State of Oklahoma|display=title,inline}})
| population_rank = 28th
| population_as_of = 2024
| 2010Pop = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 4,095,393<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/OK/PST045224|accessdate=January 9, 2025|title= United States Census Quick Facts Oklahoma}}</ref>
| 2000DensityUS = 55.20
| 2000Density = 21.30
| population_density_rank = 34th
| MedianHouseholdIncome = ${{round|62138|-2}} (2<span>0</span>23)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2024/demo/acsbr-023.pdf|title=Household Income in States and Metropolitan Areas: 2023|accessdate=January 12, 2025}}</ref>
| IncomeRank = [[List of U.S. states and territories by income#States and territories ranked by median household income|43rd]]
| elevation_max_point = [[Black Mesa (Oklahoma)|Black Mesa]]<ref name=USGS>{{cite web |url=http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html |title=Elevations and Distances in the United States |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |year=2001 |access-date=October 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015012701/http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html |archive-date=October 15, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{efn|name=NAVD88|Elevation adjusted to [[North American Vertical Datum of 1988]]}}
| elevation_max_ft = 4,975
| elevation_max_m = 1516
| elevation_ft = 1,300
| elevation_m = 400
| elevation_min_point = [[Little River (Red River)|Little River]] at {{nowrap|[[Arkansas]] border}}<ref name=USGS/>{{efn|name=NAVD88}}
| elevation_min_m = 88
| elevation_min_ft = 289
| Former = {{Plainlist|
* [[Indian Territory]] (Independent, 1834–1907)
* [[Oklahoma Territory]] (U.S. jurisdiction, 1890–1907)
}}
| AdmittanceDate = {{Start date and age|1907|11|16}}
| AdmittanceOrder = 46th
| Governor = {{nowrap|[[Kevin Stitt]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])}}
| Lieutenant Governor = {{nowrap|[[Matt Pinnell]] (R)}}
| Legislature = [[Oklahoma Legislature]]
| Upperhouse = [[Oklahoma Senate|Senate]]
| Lowerhouse = [[Oklahoma House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
| Judiciary = [[Oklahoma Supreme Court]] (civil)<br />[[Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals]] (criminal)
| Senators = {{plainlist|
* {{nowrap|[[James Lankford]] (R)}}
* {{nowrap|[[Markwayne Mullin]] (R)}}
}}
| Representative = 5 Republicans
| timezone1 = [[Central Time Zone|Central]]
| utc_offset1 = −06:00
| timezone1_DST = [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST = −05:00
| timezone1_location = entire state (legally)
| timezone2 = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain]]
| utc_offset2 = −07:00
| timezone2_DST = [[Mountain Daylight Time|MDT]]
| utc_offset2_DST = −06:00
| timezone2_location = [[Kenton, Oklahoma|Kenton]] (informally)
| map_alt = Map of the United States with Oklahoma highlighted in red
| nicknames = The Sooner State
| iso_code = US-OK
| postal_code = OK
| TradAbbreviation = Okla.
| website = oklahoma.gov
| module = {{Infobox region symbols
|country=United States
|state = Oklahoma
|image_flag = Flag of Oklahoma.svg
|image_seal = Seal of Oklahoma.svg
|mammal = [[American bison]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-mammal/buffalo |title=Oklahoma State Animal—Buffalo |date=September 6, 2014 |publisher=State Symbols USA |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref>
|dinosaur = ''[[Acrocanthosaurus atokensis]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-dinosaur-fossil/acrocanthosaurus-atokensis |title=Oklahoma State Dinosaur—''Acrocanthosaurus atokensis'' |date=September 6, 2014 |publisher=State Symbols USA |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref>
|amphibian = [[Bullfrog]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-amphibian/bullfrog |title=Oklahoma State Amphibian—Bullfrog |date=September 6, 2014 |publisher=State Symbols USA |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref>
|bird = [[Scissor-tailed Flycatcher]]<ref name=stinfo>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.ok.us/osfdocs/stinfo.html |title=Oklahoma State Icons |publisher=Oklahoma Department of Libraries |access-date=May 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115182454/http://www.state.ok.us/osfdocs/stinfo.html |archive-date=January 15, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|colors = Green and white
|dance = '''Waltz:''' "Oklahoma Wind"
|fish = [[White bass|Sand bass]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-fish-aquatic-life/white-bass |title=Oklahoma State Fish—White Bass |date=September 7, 2014 |publisher=State Symbols USA |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref>
|flower = {{ubl|[[Oklahoma Rose]]|'''Wildflower:''' [[Indian Blanket]]}}
|folk_dance = [[Square dance]]
|fossil = ''[[Saurophaganax maximus]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statefossils.com/ok/ok.html |title=Oklahoma State Fossil |access-date=January 20, 2007 |website=State fossils|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070220160253/http://www.statefossils.com/ok/ok.html |archive-date = February 20, 2007}}</ref>
|grass = [[Indian Grass]]
|insect = [[European honey bee]]
|instrument = [[Drum]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-dance-music-symbol/drum |title=Oklahoma State Percussive Instrument—Drum |date=September 7, 2014 |publisher=State Symbols USA |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref>
|beverage = [[Milk]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-food-agriculture-symbol/milk |title=Oklahoma State Beverage—Milk |date=September 6, 2014 |newspaper=State Symbols USA |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref>
|image_quarter =2008 OK Proof.png
|quarter_release_date = 2008, as part of the [[50 State Quarters|state quarters series]]. Oklahoma's state bird flying above its state wildflower.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?flash=yes&action=press_release&id=862| title=New Oklahoma Quarter Launches into History| publisher=[[United States Mint]]| access-date=February 9, 2008| archive-date=December 6, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206094747/http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?flash=yes&action=press_release&id=862| url-status=dead}}</ref>
|reptile = [[Common Collared Lizard|Mountain Boomer]]
|tree = [[Redbud]]
|rock = [[Rose Rock]]
|soil = [[Port Silt Loam]]
|tartan = Oklahoma Tartan
|image_route = Oklahoma State Highway 1.svg
|other = 
* Cartoon: ''Gusty'', created by [[Don Woods (meteorologist)|Don Woods]], Oklahoma's first professional meteorologist, used on KTUL-TV from 1954 to 1989.<ref>Oklahoma Statutes, §25–98.8</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-arts-drama-symbol/gusty |title=Oklahoma State Cartoon Character—Gusty |date=September 6, 2014 |publisher=State Symbols USA |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref>
* Fruit: [[Garden strawberry|Strawberry]]<ref>{{cite web|title = Oklahoma State Symbols and Emblems—Complete list of Oklahoma state symbols including the state flag and state seal from NETSTATE.COM|url = http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/ok_symb.htm|website=Netstate.com|access-date = November 18, 2015}}</ref>
* Vegetable: [[Watermelon]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Oklahoma/stateVegetable.html |title=Watermelon State Vegetable |date=September 6, 2014 |publisher=State Symbols USA |access-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-date=March 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327104415/http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Oklahoma/stateVegetable.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/apr/18/usa.matthewweaver|title=It's a scandal: Oklahoma declares watermelon a vegetable|author=Matthew Weaver|newspaper=The Guardian|date=April 18, 2007}}</ref>
* Game bird: [[Wild turkey]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-bird/wild-turkey |title=Oklahoma State Game Bird—Wild Turkey |date=September 7, 2014 |publisher=State Symbols USA |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref>
* Monument: [[Golden Driller]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-cultural-heritage/golden-driller |title=Oklahoma State Monument—Golden Driller |date=September 7, 2014 |publisher=State Symbols USA |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref>
* Rock song: "[[Do You Realize??]]" by [[The Flaming Lips]]<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/chinaNews/idUKTRE53R0L520090428 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501154801/http://uk.reuters.com/article/chinaNews/idUKTRE53R0L520090428 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 1, 2009 |title=Flaming Lips prepare for Oklahoma honor|author=John Benson |work=Reuters |date=April 28, 2009}}</ref>
* Theater group: [[Lynn Riggs]] Players of Oklahoma<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/oklahoma/state-arts-drama-symbol/lynn-riggs-players-oklahoma |title=Oklahoma State Theater Group—Lynn Riggs Players of Oklahoma |date=September 7, 2014 |publisher=State Symbols USA |access-date=March 27, 2018}}</ref><ref name=stinfo/>
}}
| Capital = 
| Representatives = 
}}

'''Oklahoma''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Oklahoma.ogg|ˌ|oʊ|k|l|ə|ˈ|h|oʊ|m|ə}} {{respell|OH|klə|HOH|mə}};<ref>{{cite web |website=Dictionary.com |access-date=August 10, 2007 |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Oklahoma |title=Oklahoma }}</ref> [[Choctaw language|Choctaw]]: {{lang|cho|Oklahumma}}, {{IPA|mus|oklahómma|pron}})<ref>{{cite web|url= https://choctawschool.com/media/369055/New%20Choctaw%20Dictionary.pdf|title=New Choctaw Dictionary|access-date=September 18, 2022}}</ref> is a landlocked [[U.S. state|state]] in the [[South Central United States|South Central]] and [[Southwestern United States|Southwestern]] region of the [[United States]].<ref name="regdiv" /> It borders [[Texas]] to the south and west, [[Kansas]] to the north, [[Missouri]] to the northeast, [[Arkansas]] to the southeast, [[New Mexico]] to the west, and [[Colorado]] to the northwest. Partially in the western extreme of the [[Upland South]], it is the [[List of U.S. states and territories by area|20th-most extensive]] and the [[List of U.S. states and territories by population|28th-most populous]] of the 50 United States. Its residents are known as Oklahomans and its capital and largest city is [[Oklahoma City]].

The state's name is derived from the [[Choctaw language|Choctaw]] words {{wikt-lang|cho|okla}}, 'people' and {{lang|cho|humma}}, which translates as 'red'.<ref name="cno">{{cite web |title=Choctaw place names in "Oklahumma" |url=https://choctawschool.com/home-side-menu/history/choctaw-place-names-in-oklahumma.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105094057/https://choctawschool.com/home-side-menu/history/choctaw-place-names-in-oklahumma.aspx|archive-date=November 5, 2022|website=Chahta Anumpa Aiikhvna School of Choctaw Language |publisher=Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma |access-date=September 22, 2021}}</ref>  Oklahoma is also known informally by its [[List of U.S. state and territory nicknames|nickname]], "The Sooner State", in reference to the [[Sooners]], [[American pioneer|American settlers]] who staked their claims in formerly American Indian-owned lands until the [[Indian Appropriations Act#1889 Act|Indian Appropriations Act of 1889]] authorized the [[Land Rush of 1889]] opening the land to settlement.

With ancient mountain ranges, prairie, [[mesa]]s, and eastern forests, most of Oklahoma lies in the [[Great Plains]], [[Cross Timbers]], and the [[U.S. Interior Highlands]], all regions prone to severe weather.<ref name="Oklahoma Terrain"/> Oklahoma is at a confluence of three major American [[cultural area|cultural regions]]. Historically, it served as a government-sanctioned [[territories of the United States|territory]] for American Indians moved from east of the Mississippi River, a route for cattle drives from Texas and related regions, and a destination for Southern settlers. There are currently 25 [[:Category:Indigenous languages of Oklahoma|Indigenous languages spoken in Oklahoma]].<ref name="languages"/> According to the 2020 U.S. census, 14.2 percent of Oklahomans identify as [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indians]], the highest Indigenous population by percentage in any state.<ref>{{cite web |title=Detailed Data of Hundreds of American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes |url=https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/10/2020-census-dhc-a-aian-population.html |website=U.S. Bureau of the Census |access-date=17 January 2024}}</ref>

A major producer of natural gas, oil, and agricultural products, Oklahoma relies on an economic base of aviation, energy, telecommunications, and biotechnology.<ref name="Oklahoma's Economy 1"/> Oklahoma City and [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] serve as Oklahoma's primary economic anchors, with nearly two-thirds of Oklahomans living within their [[metropolitan statistical area]]s.<ref name="metros">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/CBSA-EST2006-01.csv |title=Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |format=csv |access-date=September 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914155415/http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/CBSA-EST2006-01.csv |archive-date=September 14, 2007 }}</ref>

==Etymology==
The name ''Oklahoma'' comes from the [[Choctaw language]] phrase {{lang|cho|okla}}, 'people', and {{lang|cho|humma}}, translated as 'red'.<ref name=cno/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Choctaw Dictionary » Search Results » humma|url=https://www.webonary.org/byington-choctaw?s=humma&search=Search&key=&tax=-1&search_options_set=1&match_whole_words=1&displayAdvancedSearchName=0|access-date=2021-10-12|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Choctaw Nation]] Chief [[Allen Wright]] suggested the name in 1865 during [[Fort Smith Council|treaty negotiations]] with the [[Federal government of the United States|federal US government]] on the use of [[Indian Territory]]. He envisioned an [[Indian barrier state|all exclusive American Indian state]] controlled by the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs|United States bureau of Indian Affairs]]. A painting of the 1865 Council now hangs in the Oklahoma Senate.<ref>{{cite web|year=2006 |url=https://oksenate.gov/press-releases/painting-fort-smith-council-unveiled-capitol |title=Painting of Fort Smith Council Unveiled at Capitol |website=Oklahoma Senate |access-date=March 1, 2025}}</ref> ''Oklahoma'' later became the de facto name for [[Oklahoma Territory]], and it was officially approved in 1890, two years after that area was opened to [[American pioneer|American settlers]].<ref name="Oklahoma's Name">{{cite web|title=Chronicles of Oklahoma |first=Muriel |last=Wright |publisher=Oklahoma State University |date=June 1936 |url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v014/v014p156.html |access-date=July 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013231154/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v014/v014p156.html |archive-date=October 13, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | year=2007 | url=http://www.state.ok.us/osfdocs/stinfo2.html | title=Oklahoma State History and Information | website=A Look at Oklahoma | publisher=Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation | access-date=June 7, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060729003635/http://www.state.ok.us/osfdocs/stinfo2.html | archive-date=July 29, 2006 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Merserve |first=John |year=1941 |url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/chronicles/v019/v019p314.html |title=Chief Allen Wright |website=Chronicles of Oklahoma |access-date=June 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060507052851/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/chronicles/v019/v019p314.html |archive-date=May 7, 2006 }}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Oklahoma}}

=== Pre-Columbian ===
[[Indigenous peoples]] were present in what is now Oklahoma by the [[Quaternary glaciation|last ice age]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1980/2/80.02.07.x.html| first=Valerie| last=Palino| title=Early Man in North America: The Known to the Unknown| publisher=Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute| access-date=August 1, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816201109/http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1980/2/80.02.07.x.html| archive-date=August 16, 2007}}</ref> Ancestors of the [[Wichita people|Wichita and Affiliated Tribes]] (including [[Teyas Indians|Teyas]] and [[Escanjaque Indians|Escanjaques]] and [[Tawakoni]]), [[Tonkawa]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=May |first1=Jon D. |title=Tonkawa (tribe) |url=https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=TO003 |website=The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture |publisher=Oklahoma Historical Society |access-date=April 11, 2021}}</ref> and [[Caddo]] (including [[Kichai people|Kichai]]) lived in what is now Oklahoma. [[Southern Plains villagers]] lived in the central and west of the state, with a subgroup, the [[Panhandle culture]] people, living in the panhandle region. [[Caddoan Mississippian culture]] peoples lived in the eastern part of the state. [[Spiro Mounds]], in what is now [[Spiro, Oklahoma]], was a major [[Mississippian culture|Mississippian]] mound complex that flourished between AD 850 and 1450.<ref>{{cite web |year=2007| url=http://www.myspiro.com/spiroMounds.asp|title= The Historic Spiro Mounds| publisher=Spiro Area Chamber of Commerce | access-date=August 1, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070808234344/http://www.myspiro.com/spiroMounds.asp|archive-date=August 8, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rootsweb.com/~oknowata/PreHIn.htm|title= Prehistory of Oklahoma| publisher=rootsweb| access-date=August 1, 2007}}</ref> [[Plains Apache]] people settled in the Southern Plains and in Oklahoma between 1300 and 1500.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Clark |first1=Blue |title=Indian Tribes of Oklahoma: A Guide |date=2009 |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |location=Norman |isbn=978-0-8061-4060-5 |page=28}}</ref>

=== European exploration and colonization ===

The expedition of Spaniard [[Francisco Vázquez de Coronado]] traveled through the area in 1541,<ref name="OK History">{{cite web| url=http://www.ok.gov/osfdocs/stinfo2.html| title=Oklahoma's History| publisher=Government of Oklahoma| access-date=August 1, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070726075125/http://www.ok.gov/osfdocs/stinfo2.html| archive-date=July 26, 2007| url-status=dead}}</ref> but French explorers claimed the area in the early 18th century.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rootsweb.com/~oknowata/FrSPEX.htm|title= French and Spanish Explorations| publisher=rootsweb |website=A Brief History of Oklahoma |first1=Ann |last1=Maloney | access-date=August 1, 2007}}</ref> By the 18th century, Comanche and [[Kiowa]] entered the region from the west and Quapaw and Osage peoples moved into what is now eastern Oklahoma. French colonists claimed the region until 1803, when all the French territory west of the Mississippi River was acquired by the United States in the [[Louisiana Purchase]].<ref name="OK History" /> The territory was a part of the [[Arkansas Territory]] from 1819 until 1828.<ref>{{cite book|title=Stories of Old-Time Oklahoma |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7uSaBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA49 |page=49|last1=Dary|first1=David|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|date=February 10, 2015|isbn=9780806151717}}</ref>

=== 19th century ===
During the 19th century, the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. federal government]] forcibly removed tens of thousands of American Indians from their ancestral homelands from across North America and transported them to the area including and surrounding present-day Oklahoma. The Choctaw was the first of the [[Five Civilized Tribes]] to be removed from the [[Southeastern United States]]. The phrase "[[Trail of Tears]]" originated from a description of the removal of the [[Choctaw]] Nation in 1831, although the term is usually used for the [[Cherokee]] removal.<ref name="len_green">{{cite web|url=http://www.tc.umn.edu/~mboucher/mikebouchweb/choctaw/trtears.htm| title = Choctaw Removal was really a "Trail of Tears"| access-date = April 28, 2008| author=Len Green|publisher=Bishinik, mboucher, University of Minnesota |date=November 1978 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604005108/http://www.tc.umn.edu/~mboucher/mikebouchweb/choctaw/trtears.htm<!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date = June 4, 2008}}</ref>

Seventeen thousand Cherokees and 2,000 of their black slaves were deported.<ref>Carter, Samuel (III) (1976). ''Cherokee sunset: A nation betrayed: a narrative of travail and triumph, persecution and exile''. New York: Doubleday, p. 232.</ref> The area, already occupied by [[Osage Nation|Osage]] and [[Quapaw]] tribes, was called for the [[Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma|Choctaw Nation]] until revised Native American and then later American policy redefined the boundaries to include other Native Americans. By 1890, more than 30 Native American nations and tribes had been concentrated on land within [[Indian Territory]] or "Indian Country".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.com/~cherokee/1890map.html|title=1890 Indian Territory Map|publisher=RootsWeb|access-date=May 6, 2009}}</ref>

All Five Civilized Tribes signed treaties with the Confederate military during the [[American Civil War]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Morton|first=Ohland|year=1953|title=Confederate Government Relations with the Five Civilized Tribes|journal=Chronicles of Oklahoma|volume=31|issue=2|pages=189–204|url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v031/v031p189.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201074014/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v031/v031p189.pdf|archive-date=February 1, 2016}}</ref> The [[Cherokee Nation (1794–1907)|Cherokee Nation]] had an internal [[Creek War|civil war]].<ref name="Native_American_Participation_Numbers">{{cite book|last=Rodman|first=Leslie|title=The Five Civilized Tribes and the American Civil War|url=http://www.amtour.net/downloadable/The_5_Civilized_Tribes_in_the_Civil_War_a_Biographical_Essay.pdf|page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723013312/http://www.amtour.net/downloadable/The_5_Civilized_Tribes_in_the_Civil_War_a_Biographical_Essay.pdf|archive-date=July 23, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Slavery in Indian Territory was not abolished until 1866.<ref>{{cite book|first=Alton|last=Hornsby, Jr.|title=A Companion to African American History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bqIJ278VHuwC&pg=PA127|date=2008|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-4051-3735-5|page=127}}</ref>

Between 1866 and 1899,<ref name="OK History" /> cattle ranches in Texas strove to meet the demands for food in eastern cities and railroads in Kansas promised to deliver in a timely manner. [[Cattle drive|Cattle trails]] and cattle ranches developed as [[cowboy]]s either drove their product north or settled illegally in Indian Territory.<ref name="OK History" /> In 1881, four of five major cattle trails on the western frontier traveled through Indian Territory.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://genealogytrails.com/main/cattletrails1881map.html|title= Map of Cattle Drives in 1881| publisher=Genealogy Trails History Group| access-date=August 1, 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Former Indian Reservations in Oklahoma.jpg|thumb|left|Indian reservations in Oklahoma before the Dawes Act of 1887.]]

As white settlers arrived in Indian Territory and demanded for land owned and guaranteed to Indian tribes by treaties, the U.S. government responded by enacting the [[Dawes Act]] in 1887 and the [[Curtis Act of 1898]]. The acts abolished tribal governments, eliminated tribal ownership of land, and allotted {{cvt|160|acre|ha}} of land to each head of an Indian family. An objective of the acts was the forced assimilation of Indians into white society. Land not allotted to individual Indians was owned by the U.S. government and sold or distributed to settlers and railroads. The proceeds of the land sales were used to educate Indian children and advance the policy of assimilation. As a result of the two acts, about one-half of the land previously owned by Indian tribes was owned by whites by 1900.<ref>{{cite web | first=Robert|last=Hamilton|url=http://itech.fgcu.edu/&/issues/vol3/issue1/united.htm|title= United States and Native American Relations | publisher=Florida Gulf Coast University| access-date=August 1, 2007}}</ref> Moreover, much of the land allotted to individual Indian heads of families became white-owned. Allottees often sold or were fraudulently deprived of their land.<ref name="Case">{{cite book|author=Case DS, Voluck DA|year=2002|title=Alaska Natives and American Laws|edition=2nd|pages=104–105|location=Fairbanks, AK|publisher=University of Alaska Press|isbn=978-1-889963-08-2}}</ref>

The acquisition of tribal lands by the U.S. government led to [[land runs]], also called "land rushes," from 1887 and 1895. Major land runs, including the [[Land Rush of 1889]], opened up millions of acres of formerly tribal lands to white settlement. The "rushes" began at a precise times as each prospective settler literally raced with other prospective settlers to claim ownership of {{cvt|160|acre|ha}} of land under the [[Homestead Act of 1862]]. Usually land was claimed by settlers on a first come, first served basis.<ref>{{cite web|year=1999 |url=http://aaae.okstate.edu/proceedings/1999/Factors%20Influencing%20Enrollment.doc |title=Factors Influencing Enrollment in Agricultural Education Classes of Native American Students in Oklahoma |publisher=Oklahoma State University |format=DOC |access-date=August 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808074216/http://aaae.okstate.edu/proceedings/1999/Factors%20Influencing%20Enrollment.doc |archive-date=August 8, 2007 }}</ref> Those who broke the rules by crossing the border into the territory before the official opening time were said to have been crossing the border ''sooner'', leading to the term ''[[sooners]]'', which eventually became the state's official nickname.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/research/r_virt_landrun5.html|title= Rushes to Statehood | publisher=National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum|access-date=August 1, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234602/http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/research/r_virt_landrun5.html|archive-date=September 26, 2007}}</ref> [[George Washington Steele]] was appointed the first governor of the territory of Oklahoma in 1890.

===20th century ===
{{Main|Organic act#List of organic acts|Oklahoma Territory|Admission to the Union|List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union}}
[[File:Sequoyah map.jpg|thumb|left|A proposed map of the 'State of Sequoyah' compiled from the USGS Map of Indian Territory (1902)]]

Attempts to create an all-Indian state named ''Oklahoma'' and a later attempt to create an all-Indian state named ''[[State of Sequoyah|Sequoyah]]'' failed but the Sequoyah Statehood Convention of 1905 eventually laid the groundwork for the Oklahoma Statehood Convention, which took place two years later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.willrogers.com/new/articles/exhibits/Sequoyah_Centennial/Sequoyah_exhibit.html |title=Clem Rogers |publisher=Will Rogers Museum Association |access-date=August 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520025331/http://www.willrogers.com/new/articles/exhibits/Sequoyah_Centennial/Sequoyah_exhibit.html |archive-date=May 20, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On June 16, 1906, Congress enacted [[Oklahoma Enabling Act|a statute authorizing the people of the Oklahoma and Indian Territories]] (as well what would become the states of [[Arizona]] and [[New Mexico]]) to form a constitution and state government in order to be admitted as a state.<ref>{{USStatute|59|233|35|267|1906|6|16|H.R.|16946}}</ref> On November 16, 1907, President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] issued [[Presidential proclamation (United States)|Presidential Proclamation]] no. [[wikisource:Proclamation 780|780]], establishing Oklahoma as the 46th state in the Union.<ref>{{USStat|35|2160}}</ref>

The new state became a focal point for the emerging [[Petroleum industry|oil industry]], as discoveries of oil pools prompted towns to grow rapidly in population and wealth. Tulsa eventually became known as the "[[Oil Capital of the World]]" for most of the 20th century and oil investments fueled much of the state's early economy.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.tulsalibrary.org/tulsahistory/communities.htm#tul| title = Tulsa Area History| publisher = Tulsa County Library| access-date = April 25, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070108010448/http://www.tulsalibrary.org/tulsahistory/communities.htm| archive-date = January 8, 2007| url-status = dead}}</ref> In 1927, Oklahoman businessman [[Cyrus Avery]], known as the "Father of Route 66", began the campaign to create [[U.S. Route 66]]. Using a stretch of highway from [[Amarillo, Texas]] to Tulsa, Oklahoma to form the original portion of Highway 66, Avery spearheaded the creation of the [[U.S. Highway 66 Association]] to oversee the planning of Route 66, based in his hometown of Tulsa.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG02/carney/avery.html | title=The Father of Route 66 | publisher=[[University of Virginia]] | access-date=April 20, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623050651/http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG02/carney/avery.html | archive-date=June 23, 2013 }}</ref>

In late September 1918, the first cases of the [[Spanish flu]] appeared in Oklahoma. Although public health authorities statewide had some early indication that the disease being reported on the East coast had traveled westward, the turmoil caused by the rapid increase in cases in Oklahoma quickly overwhelmed both health workers and local governing bodies. In Oklahoma City, shortages of both supplies and personnel were mitigated, in part, by the mobilization of the American Red Cross. Rough estimates based on contemporary reports indicate that approximately 100,000 people fell ill with the disease before the pandemic ebbed in 1919. Of those 100,000 cases, it is estimated that around 7,500 proved fatal, placing total mortality rates for the state at roughly 7.5%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Spanish Influenza Pandemic in Oklahoma City |url=https://www.metrolibrary.org/archives/essay/2019/07/spanish-influenza-pandemic-oklahoma-city |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Metropolitan Library System |language=en}}</ref>

Oklahoma also has a rich [[African Americans in Oklahoma|African-American history]]. Many Black towns, founded by the Freedmen of the Five Tribes during Reconstruction, thrived in the early 20th century with the arrival of Black [[Exodusters]] who migrated from neighboring states, especially Kansas. The politician [[Edward P. McCabe]] encouraged Black settlers to come to what was then Indian Territory. McCabe discussed with President Theodore Roosevelt the possibility of making Oklahoma a majority-Black state.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2012 |title=Oklahoma |url=https://purehistory.org/oklahoma/ |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=Pure History}}</ref>

By the early 20th century, the [[Greenwood, Tulsa|Greenwood]] district of [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] was one of the most prosperous African-American communities in the United States.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://variety.com/review/VE1117786589.html?categoryid=32&cs=1 | title=The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety Magazine]] | access-date=June 26, 2008 | first=Steven | last=Oxman | date=May 30, 2000 | archive-date=April 17, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417080734/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117786589.html?categoryid=32&cs=1 }}</ref> [[Jim Crow laws]] had established [[racial segregation]] since before the start of the 20th century, but Tulsa's Black residents had created a thriving area.<ref>{{Cite report |author=Oklahoma Commission |title=Oklahoma Commission to Study the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 Final Report |url=http://www.okhistory.org/research/forms/freport.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602235628/http://www.okhistory.org/research/forms/freport.pdf |archive-date=June 2, 2018 |url-status=dead |place=Tulsa, Oklahoma |publisher=Oklahoma Commission |date=February 28, 2001 |access-date=June 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://greenwoodculturalcenter.com/about-us|title=About Us|date=2019|website=Greenwood Cultural Center|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=August 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822175256/https://greenwoodculturalcenter.com/about-us|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/20/us/tulsa-greenwood-massacre.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|author=Astor, Maggie|title=What to Know About the Tulsa Greenwood Massacre|date=June 20, 2020|access-date=June 21, 2020|archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620092642/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/20/us/tulsa-greenwood-massacre.html}}</ref>

Social tensions were exacerbated by the revival of the [[Ku Klux Klan]] after 1915. The [[Tulsa race massacre]] occurred in 1921, with White mobs attacking Black people and carrying out a [[pogrom]] in Greenwood. In one of the costliest episodes of [[Mass racial violence in the United States|racist violence in American history]], sixteen hours of rioting resulted in the destruction of 35 city blocks, $1.8 million in property damage, and an estimated death toll of between 75 and 300 people.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ok-history.mus.ok.us/trrc/file1.pdf| title= Tulsa Race Riot: A Report by the Oklahoma Commission to Study the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921, February 28, 2001 |publisher=Oklahoma Historical Society | access-date=June 10, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080624204404/http://www.ok-history.mus.ok.us/trrc/file1.pdf |archive-date = June 24, 2008}}</ref> By the late 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan had declined to negligible influence within the state.<ref>{{cite web|first=Larry |last=O'Dell |url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/K/KU001.html |title=Ku klux klan |publisher=Oklahoma Historical Society |access-date=June 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009193345/https://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/K/KU001.html |archive-date=October 9, 2008 }}</ref>

During the 1930s, parts of the state began to suffer from the consequences of poor farming practices. This period was known as the [[Dust Bowl]], throughout which areas of Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, and [[northwestern Oklahoma]] were hampered by long periods of little rainfall, strong winds, abnormally high temperatures, and most notably, severe [[dust storm]]s sending thousands of farmers into poverty and forcing them to relocate to more fertile areas of the western United States.<ref>{{cite web| date=August 5, 2005| url=http://www.ccccok.org/museum/dustbowl.html| title=1930s Dust Bowl| publisher=Cimarron County Chamber of Commerce| access-date=August 1, 2007| archive-date=July 7, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707060033/http://www.ccccok.org/museum/dustbowl.html}}</ref> Over a twenty-year period ending in 1950, the state saw its only historical decline in population, dropping 6.9 percent as impoverished families migrated out of the state after the Dust Bowl.

[[Soil conservation|Soil]] and [[water conservation]] projects markedly changed practices in the state, leading to the construction of massive flood control systems and dams to supply water for domestic needs and agricultural irrigation.<ref name="Oklahoma Terrain" /><ref>{{cite web|year=2007 |url=http://www.history.com/states.do?action=detail&state=OK&contentType=State_Generic&contentId=54146 |title=History of the States: Oklahoma, The Sooner State |publisher=[[History (U.S. TV channel)|The History Channel]] |access-date=August 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010051625/http://www.history.com/states.do?action=detail&state=OK&contentType=State_Generic&contentId=54146 |archive-date=October 10, 2007 }}</ref>  As of 2024, Oklahoma had more than 4,700 dams, about 20% of all dams in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/growing-number-of-dams-have-risks-for-houses-downstream-oklahoma-expert-says/article_d22e5560-9888-11ef-8b34-8f64c2145247.html |title=Growing number of dams have risks for houses downstream, Oklahoma expert says |work=[[Tulsa World]] |date=August 4, 2024 |accessdate=August 4, 2024}}</ref>

<gallery widths=200 heights=200>
File:Farmer walking in dust storm Cimarron County Oklahoma2.jpg|The [[Dust Bowl]] sent thousands of farmers into poverty during the 1930s.
File:Murrah Building - Aerial.jpg|The bombing of the [[Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building]] in Oklahoma City was one of the deadliest acts of terrorism in American history.
</gallery>

In 1995, Oklahoma City was the site of the most destructive act of domestic terrorism in American history. The [[Oklahoma City bombing]] of April 19, 1995, in which [[Timothy McVeigh]] detonated a large, crude explosive device outside the [[Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building]], killed 168 people, including 19 children. For his crime, McVeigh was executed by the federal government on June 11, 2001. His accomplice, [[Terry Nichols]], is serving life in prison without parole for helping plan the attack and prepare the explosive.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Oklahoma City Tragedy |url=http://www.cnn.com/US/OKC/bombing.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820160413/http://www.cnn.com/US/OKC/bombing.html |archive-date=August 20, 2007 |url-status=dead |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=1996<!-- 5 May 1996 or later. --> |access-date=August 1, 2007}}</ref>

=== 21st century ===
On May 31, 2016, several cities experienced [[May 2016 North American storm complex|record setting flooding]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Sutton |first=Joe |date=April 28, 2016 |title=Seven dead after record-setting floods in Texas, Kansas |url=http://www.kpax.com/story/32107818/seven-dead-after-record-setting-floods-in-texas-kansas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602235851/http://www.kpax.com/story/32107818/seven-dead-after-record-setting-floods-in-texas-kansas |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |url-status=dead |publisher=KPAX |access-date=June 3, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Dolce |first1=Chris |last2=Wiltgen |first2=Nick |last3=Erdman |first3=Jonathan |date=2015-06-01 |title=Texas and Oklahoma Set All-Time Record Wet Month; Other May Rain Records Shattered in Arkansas, Nebraska |url=https://weather.com/forecast/regional/news/plains-rain-flood-threat-wettest-may-ranking |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=The Weather Channel}}</ref>

[[File:Boundaries_of_the_Five_Tribes_in_1866.svg|thumb|The former reservations of the [[Five Civilized Tribes]] in dispute in ''[[McGirt v. Oklahoma]]'']]

On July 9, 2020, the [[Supreme Court of the United States]] determined in ''[[McGirt v. Oklahoma]]'' that the reservations of the Five Tribes, comprising much of Eastern Oklahoma, were never disestablished by Congress and thus are still "Indian Country" for the purposes of criminal law.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/us/supreme-court-oklahoma-mcgirt-creek-nation.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709142918/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/us/supreme-court-oklahoma-mcgirt-creek-nation.html |archive-date=2020-07-09 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Supreme Court Rules Nearly Half of Oklahoma is Indian Reservation |website=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 9, 2020 |access-date=July 9, 2020|last1=Healy |first1=Jack |last2=Liptak |first2=Adam }}</ref>

Later decisions by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals also found the Quapaw Nation,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newson6.com/story/617b31691202230bef62e0d1/oklahoma-court-upholds-tribal-sovereignty-for-quapaw-nation|title=Oklahoma Court Upholds Tribal Sovereignty for Quapaw Nation|access-date=July 25, 2023}}</ref> Ottawa Tribe, Peoria Tribe, and Miami Tribe<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kosu.org/news/2023-05-17/three-tribal-nations-in-northeast-oklahoma-have-reservation-statuses-recognized|title=Three Tribal Nations in Northeast Oklahoma Have Reservations Statuses Recognized|access-date=July 25, 2023}}</ref> also had existing reservations. The Osage Nation is awaiting for a possible  appellate decision after a district judge had ruled that the Osage reservation was disestablished.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/state/2022/09/03/oklahoma-judge-says-osage-nation-reservation-no-longer-exists-appeal-likely/65468495007/|title=Oklahoma judge says Osage reservation no longer exists|access-date=July 25, 2023}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Oklahoma}}
{{See also|List of Oklahoma tri-points}}
[[File:Oklahoma Köppen.svg|upright=1.35|thumb|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate types]] of Oklahoma]]

Oklahoma is the 20th-largest state in the United States, covering an area of {{Convert|69895|sqmi}}, with {{Convert|68591|sqmi}} of land and {{Convert|1304|sqmi}} of water.<ref name=2010census>{{cite web | url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-1.pdf | title=United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts, 2010 Census of Population and Housing | publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] | pages=V–2, 1 & 41 (Tables 1 & 18) | date=September 2012 | access-date=October 11, 2018}}</ref> It lies partly in the [[Great Plains]] near the geographical center of the 48 [[Contiguous United States|contiguous states]]. It is bordered on the east by [[Arkansas]] and [[Missouri]], on the north by [[Kansas]], on the northwest by [[Colorado]], on the far west by [[New Mexico]], and on the south and near-west by [[Texas]].

=== Borders ===
Oklahoma's border with Kansas was defined as the 37th Parallel in the 1854 [[Kansas–Nebraska Act|Kansas-Nebraska Act]]. This was disputed with the Cherokee and Osage Nations, which claimed their border extended North of this line and could not be part of the [[Kansas Territory]]. This was resolved in 1870 with the [[Drum Creek Treaty]], which reestablished Kansas's southern border as the 37th parallel. This also applied to the then No-Man's Land that became the [[Oklahoma Panhandle]].

The Oklahoma-Texas border consists of the [[Red River of the South]] in the south and the 100th meridian west as the western border between Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. These were first established in the 1819 [[Adams–Onís Treaty]] between the United States and Spain.

The Oklahoma panhandle was originally part of the Panhandle of the Republic of Texas, but when Texas joined the Union as a slave state, it could not retain any lands north of 36 degrees 30 minutes, as specified in the [[Missouri Compromise]]. The Panhandle existed as a no-man's land until 1907 when Oklahoma acquired the territory upon gaining statehood.

Oklahoma's Eastern border is divided between Missouri and Arkansas. The Missouri-Oklahoma border is defined as the Meridian passing through the Kawsmouth,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hoffhaus |first=Charles E. |title=Chez les Canses: three centuries at Kawsmouth: the French foundations of metropolitan Kansas City |date=1984 |publisher=Lowell Press |isbn=0-913504-91-2 |location=Kansas City |oclc=12314083}}</ref> where the Kansas River meets the Missouri River. This is the same Meridian as the Kansas-Missouri border.

The Oklahoma-Arkansas border was originally defined by two lines: the borders between Arkansas and the Cherokee and Choctaw Reservations. This formed two diagonal lines meeting at the western edge of Fort Smith Arkansas, with one line running northeast from the Red River and the other running southeast from the Oklahoma-Arkansas-Missouri border. The Choctaw-Arkansas border was established in the 1820 [[Treaty of Doak's Stand|Treaty of Doak's Sand]], and later refined in the 1830 [[Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek]]. These treaties left a 57-acre [[Enclave and exclave|exclave]] of the Choctaw reservation bounded by Arkansas, the Arkansas River and the Poteau River. This became the site of a smuggling camp called "Coke Hill", noted mostly for its importance in cocaine smuggling.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Curry |first=Bill |date=1978-12-07 |title=Arkansas, Oklahoma Fighting Border War Over 57 Acres |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1978/12/07/arkansas-oklahoma-fighting-border-war-over-57-acres/af020620-9c70-4305-83f6-dc185fc50b46/ |access-date=2022-11-19 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

After Petitioning congress to hand over jurisdiction, the 57 acres was given to Arkansas in 1905. The 1985 US Supreme Court Case Oklahoma v. Arkansas decided the land would remain Arkansas, even though the Choctaw had not been notified or asked about the territory being handed over.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma v. Arkansas, 473 U.S. 610 (1985) |url=https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/473/610/ |access-date=2022-11-19 |website=Justia Law |language=en}}</ref> Therefore, the Poteau River serves as the Oklahoma-Arkansas boundary for approximately 1 mile, reducing the Choctaw Reservation and later Oklahoma by 57 acres as established in the treaties of the early 1800s.

===Topography===
{{See also|List of lakes in Oklahoma}}

Oklahoma is between the [[Great Plains]] and the [[Ozarks|Ozark Plateau]] in the [[Gulf of Mexico]] watershed,<ref name="Geography Map">{{cite web|date=April 17, 2003 |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |access-date=July 31, 2007 |url=http://tapestry.usgs.gov/physiogr/physio.html |title=A Tapestry of Time and Terrain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515044037/http://tapestry.usgs.gov/physiogr/physio.html |archive-date=May 15, 2006 }}</ref> generally sloping from the high plains of its western boundary to the low wetlands of its southeastern boundary.<ref name="The Geography of Oklahoma">{{cite web | date=July 31, 2007 | publisher=Netstate | access-date=July 31, 2007 | url=http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/ok_geography.htm| title=The Geography of Oklahoma}}</ref><ref name="Topography of Oklahoma">{{cite web | year=2006 | publisher=geology.com | access-date=August 1, 2007 | url=http://geology.com/state-map/oklahoma.shtml | title=Oklahoma State Map Collection}}</ref> Its highest and lowest points follow this trend, with its highest peak, [[Black Mesa (Oklahoma)|Black Mesa]], at {{convert|4973|ft}} above sea level, situated near its far northwest corner in the [[Oklahoma Panhandle]]. The state's lowest point is on the Little River near its far southeastern boundary near the town of [[Idabel, Oklahoma|Idabel]], which dips to {{convert|289|ft}} above sea level.<ref name="The Climate of Oklahoma">{{cite web | date=January 1, 2003 | first=Derek |last=Arndt| publisher=Oklahoma Climatological Survey| access-date=July 31, 2007 | url=http://cig.mesonet.org/climateatlas/doc60.html | title=The Climate of Oklahoma}}</ref>

Among the most geographically diverse states, Oklahoma is one of four to harbor more than 10 distinct [[ecoregion|ecological regions]], with 11 in its borders—more per square mile than in any other state.<ref name="Oklahoma Terrain">{{cite web |date=January 12, 2006 |url=http://www.travelok.com/atv/index.asp |title=Oklahoma, All Terrain Vacation |website=TravelOK |publisher=TravelOK.com |access-date=July 15, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060709205916/http://travelok.com/atv/index.asp |archive-date=July 9, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its western and eastern halves, however, are marked by extreme differences in geographical diversity: Eastern Oklahoma touches eight ecological regions and its western half contains three. Although having fewer ecological regions Western Oklahoma contains many rare, relic species.<ref name="Oklahoma Terrain"/>

Oklahoma has four primary mountain ranges: the [[Ouachita Mountains]], the [[Arbuckle Mountains]], the [[Wichita Mountains]], and the [[Ozarks|Ozark Mountains]].<ref name="The Geography of Oklahoma"/> Contained within the [[U.S. Interior Highlands]] region, the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains are the only major mountainous region between the [[Rocky Mountains]] and the [[Appalachian Mountains|Appalachians]].<ref>{{cite web | date=March 7, 2007 | url=http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/4159/about/HotSpringsOffice.htm | title=Managing Upland Forests of the Midsouth | publisher=USD Forest Service| access-date=July 31, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622180232/http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/4159/about/HotSpringsOffice.htm|archive-date=June 22, 2008}}</ref> A portion of the [[Flint Hills]] stretches into north-central Oklahoma, and near the state's eastern border, The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department regards [[Cavanal Hill]] as the world's tallest hill; at {{Convert|1999|ft|}}, it fails their definition of a mountain by one foot.<ref name="TravelOK">{{cite web | year=2007 | url=http://www.travelok.com/about/index.asp | title=About Oklahoma | publisher=TravelOK.com | access-date=July 10, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060707070748/http://www.travelok.com/about/index.asp | archive-date=July 7, 2006 | df=mdy-all | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] [[High Plains (United States)|high plains]] in the state's [[northwestern Oklahoma|northwestern corner]] harbor few natural forests; the region has a rolling to flat landscape with intermittent [[canyon]]s and [[mesa]] ranges like the [[Glass Mountains]]. Partial plains interrupted by small, [[sky island]] mountain ranges like the [[Antelope Hills, Oklahoma|Antelope Hills]] and the [[Wichita Mountains]] dot [[southwestern Oklahoma]]; transitional prairie and [[oak savanna]]s cover the [[Central Oklahoma|central portion]] of the state. The Ozark and Ouachita Mountains rise from west to east over the state's eastern third, gradually increasing in elevation in an eastward direction.<ref name="Topography of Oklahoma"/><ref name="forests 1"/>

More than 500 named creeks and rivers make up Oklahoma's waterways, and with 200 lakes created by dams, it holds the nation's highest number of artificial reservoirs.<ref name="TravelOK"/> Most of the state lies in two primary [[drainage basin]]s belonging to the [[Red River of the South|Red]] and [[Arkansas River|Arkansas]] Rivers, though the Lee and Little Rivers also contain significant drainage basins.<ref name="forests 1"/>

<gallery widths=200 heights=160>
File:turner falls ok.jpg|Turner Falls
File:Rose rocks.jpg|State rock ([[Desert rose (crystal)|rose rock]]) specimens from Cleveland County
File:Illinois River Oklahoma.jpg|alt=|Illinois River in northeastern Oklahoma
File:Elk Mountain, OK.jpg|Elk Mountain, in the eastern Wichita Mountains, southwestern Oklahoma
File:Wichita Mountains Narrows.jpg|Wichita Mountains Narrows
File:Talimenavista1.jpg|The [[Ouachita Mountains]] cover much of [[Kiamichi Country|southeastern Oklahoma]].
File:McIntosh County (Oklahoma).jpg|Grave Creek in [[McIntosh County, Oklahoma|McIntosh County]]
File:Gloss Mountains.jpg|[[Glass Mountains|Mesas]] rise above one of Oklahoma's state parks.
</gallery>

===Flora and fauna===
{{See also|List of fauna of Oklahoma}}
[[File:Tallgrass Prairie Nature Preserve in Osage County.jpg|thumb|Populations of [[American bison]] inhabit Oklahoma's prairie ecosystems.]]

Due to Oklahoma's location at the confluence of many geographic regions, Oklahoma's climatic regions have a high rate of biodiversity. Forests cover 24 percent of Oklahoma<ref name="TravelOK"/> and [[prairie|prairie grasslands]] composed of shortgrass, mixed-grass, and [[tallgrass prairie]], harbor expansive ecosystems in the state's central and western portions, although [[Agricultural land|cropland]] has largely replaced native grasses.<ref name="ecology"/> Where rainfall is sparse in the state's western regions, shortgrass prairie and [[shrubland]]s are the most prominent ecosystems, though [[pinyon pine]]s, red cedar ([[juniper]]s), and [[Pinus ponderosa|ponderosa pines]] grow near rivers and creek beds in the panhandle's far western reaches.<ref name="ecology"/> [[Southwestern Oklahoma]] contains many rare, [[Disjunct distribution|disjunct species]], including [[Acer saccharum|sugar maple]], [[Acer grandidentatum|bigtooth maple]], [[nolina]], and [[Quercus fusiformis|Texas live oak]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile?symbol=QUFU|title=USDA Plants Database|website=plants.usda.gov}}</ref>

[[Marsh]]lands, [[cypress]] forests, and mixtures of [[Pinus echinata|shortleaf pine]], [[Pinus taeda|loblolly pine]], [[sabal minor|blue palmetto]], and deciduous forests dominate the state's [[Kiamichi Country|southeastern quarter]], while mixtures of largely [[Quercus stellata|post oak]], [[elm]], red cedar (''[[Juniperus virginiana]]''), and [[pine]] forests cover [[Green Country|northeastern Oklahoma]].<ref name="forests 1">{{cite web|year=2003|url=http://www.odl.state.ok.us/almanac/2005/3-inbrief.pdf|title=Oklahoma in Brief|publisher=State of Oklahoma|access-date=August 4, 2007|archive-date=August 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808074222/http://www.odl.state.ok.us/almanac/2005/3-inbrief.pdf}}</ref><ref name="ecology"/><ref name="OK forests">{{cite web | url=http://www.ok.gov/~okag/forestry-okforestshome.htm | title=Oklahoma Ecoregional Maps | publisher=Oklahoma Department of Agriculture | access-date=August 2, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013192154/http://ok.gov/~okag/forestry-okforestshome.htm | archive-date=October 13, 2007 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Scissor tailed flycatcher- Oklahoma’s State Bird.jpg|thumb|The scissor-tailed flycatcher (''Tyrannus forficatus'') is Oklahoma's State Bird]]

Oklahoma has populations of [[white-tailed deer]], [[mule deer]], [[Pronghorn|antelope]], [[coyote]]s, [[Cougar|mountain lions]], [[bobcat]]s, [[elk]], and birds such as [[quail]], [[Columbidae|doves]], [[northern cardinal|cardinals]], [[bald eagle]]s, [[red-tailed hawk]]s, and [[pheasant]]s. In prairie ecosystems, [[American bison]], [[greater prairie-chicken]]s, [[badger]]s, and [[armadillo]] are common, and some of the nation's largest [[prairie dog]] towns inhabit shortgrass prairie in the state's panhandle. The [[Cross Timbers]], a region transitioning from prairie to woodlands in Central Oklahoma, harbors 351 [[Vertebrate|vertebrate species]]. The Ouachita Mountains are home to [[American black bear|black bear]], [[red fox]], [[gray fox]], and [[North American river otter|river otter]] populations, which coexist with 328 vertebrate species in southeastern Oklahoma. Also in southeastern Oklahoma lives the [[American alligator]].<ref name="ecology">{{cite web |year=2005 |url=http://www.travelok.com/about/StudentGuide.pdf |title=A Look at Oklahoma: A Student's Guide |publisher=State of Oklahoma |access-date=August 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230052128/http://www.travelok.com/about/StudentGuide.pdf |archive-date=December 30, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Protected lands===
Oklahoma has fifty-one [[state park]]s,<ref>{{cite web |year=2004|publisher=Oklahoma Parks Department | access-date=August 2, 2007 | url=http://www.oklahomaparks.com/index.asp| title=Oklahoma State Parks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070727031241/http://www.oklahomaparks.com/index.asp <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=July 27, 2007}}</ref> six [[national park]]s or protected regions,<ref name="Oklahoma national parks">{{cite web |year=2007|publisher=National Park Service | access-date=August 2, 2007 | url=http://home.nps.gov/state/ok/index.htm?program=parks| title=Oklahoma National Park Guide}}</ref> two [[United States National Forest|national protected forests]] or [[grassland]]s,<ref>{{cite web |date=May 1, 2005|publisher=[[United States Forest Service|United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service]] | access-date=August 2, 2007 | url=http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/map/state_list.shtml#Oklahoma| title=National Forests}}</ref> and a network of wildlife preserves and conservation areas. Six percent of the state's {{convert|10|e6acre|km2}} of forest is public land,<ref name="OK forests"/> including the western portions of the [[Ouachita National Forest]], the largest and oldest national forest in the [[Southern United States]].<ref>{{cite web |date=May 10, 2005|publisher=[[United States Forest Service|United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service]]| access-date=August 2, 2007 | url=http://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/ouachita| title=Ouachita National Forest}}</ref>

With {{convert|39000|acre|km2}}, the [[Tallgrass Prairie Preserve]] in north-central Oklahoma is the largest protected area of [[tallgrass prairie]] in the world and is part of an [[ecosystem]] that encompasses only ten percent of its former land area, once covering fourteen states.<ref>{{cite web| year=2007| url=http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/oklahoma/preserves/tallgrass.html| title=Tallgrass Prairie Preserve| publisher=The Nature Conservatory| access-date=July 31, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223051941/http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/oklahoma/preserves/tallgrass.html| archive-date=February 23, 2011| df=mdy-all| url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, the [[Black Kettle National Grassland]] covers {{convert|31300|acre|km2}} of prairie in southwestern Oklahoma.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 24, 2007|publisher=USDA Forest Service| access-date=August 2, 2007 | url=http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/districts/black.shtml| title=Black Kettle National Grassland}}</ref> The [[Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge]] is the oldest and largest of nine [[National Wildlife Refuge]]s in the state<ref>{{cite web| publisher=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service| access-date=August 17, 2007| url=http://www.fws.gov/refuges/refugeLocatorMaps/Oklahoma.html| title=Refuge Locator Map—Oklahoma| archive-date=March 21, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321031302/http://www.fws.gov/refuges/refugeLocatorMaps/Oklahoma.html}}</ref> and was founded in 1901, encompassing {{convert|59020|acre|km2}}.<ref>{{cite web| publisher=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service| access-date=August 17, 2007| url=http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=21670| title=Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge| archive-date=March 29, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329072638/http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=21670}}</ref>

Of Oklahoma's federally protected parks or recreational sites, the [[Chickasaw National Recreation Area]] is the largest, with {{convert|9898.63|acre|ha}}.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=National Park Service| access-date=January 16, 2010 | url=https://www.nps.gov/chic/learn/management/statistics.htm| title=Chickasaw National Recreation Area—Park Statistics}}</ref> Other sites include the [[Santa Fe Trail|Santa Fe]] and [[Trail of Tears]] national historic trails, the [[Fort Smith National Historic Site|Fort Smith]] and [[Washita Battlefield National Historic Site|Washita Battlefield]] national historic sites, and the [[Oklahoma City National Memorial]].<ref name="Oklahoma national parks"/>

===Climate===
{{further|Climate change in Oklahoma|Tornadoes in Oklahoma}}
[[File:Lightning over Tulsa cropped.jpg|thumb|Oklahoma's climate is prime for the generation of [[thunderstorm]]s.]]
[[File:OBU Campus oval fountain in 2011 snowstorm..JPG|thumb|Winter at the [[Oklahoma Baptist University]] campus]]
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map v2 USA Oklahoma 1991–2020.svg|thumb|Most of Oklahoma has a [[humid subtropical]] climate.]]

Oklahoma is in a humid subtropical region<ref name="Climate of OK" /> that lies in a transition zone between semiarid further to the west, humid continental to the north, and humid subtropical to the east and southeast. Most of Oklahoma lies in an area known as [[Tornado Alley]] characterized by frequent interaction between cold, dry air from Canada, warm to hot, dry air from Mexico and the Southwestern U.S., and warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. The interactions between these three contrasting air currents produces [[severe weather]] (severe thunderstorms, damaging thunderstorm winds, large hail and tornadoes) with a frequency virtually unseen anywhere else on planet Earth.<ref name="The Climate of Oklahoma"/> An average 62 [[tornado]]es [[Tornadoes in Oklahoma|strike the state per year]]—one of the highest rates in the world.<ref name="Annual average number of tornadoes">{{cite web |url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climate-information/extreme-events/us-tornado-climatology |title=Tornado Climatology |publisher=NOAA National Climatic Data Center |access-date=October 24, 2006}}</ref>

Because of Oklahoma's position between zones of differing prevailing temperature and winds, weather patterns within the state can vary widely over relatively short distances, and they can change drastically in a short time.<ref name="The Climate of Oklahoma" /> On November 11, 1911, the temperature at Oklahoma City reached {{cvt|83|F}} (the record high for that date), then [[Great Blue Norther of November 11, 1911|a cold front of unprecedented intensity]] slammed across the state, causing the temperature to reach {{cvt|17|F}} (the record low for that date) by midnight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mesonet.org/index.php/news/article/november_11_1911_a_palindrome_to_remember |title=News &#124; November 11, 1911: A Palindrome to Remember |publisher=Mesonet |access-date=February 6, 2013}}</ref> This type of phenomenon is also responsible for many of the tornadoes in the area, such as the [[Tornado outbreak of April 27–29, 1912|1912 Oklahoma tornado outbreak]] when a warm front traveled along a stalled cold front, resulting in an average of about one tornado per hour.<ref name="1912 tornadoes" />

The [[humid subtropical climate]] (Köppen ''Cfa'') of central, southern, and eastern Oklahoma is influenced heavily by southerly winds bringing moisture from the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. Traveling westward, the climate transitions progressively toward a [[semiarid]] zone (Köppen ''BSk'') in the high plains of the Panhandle and other western areas from about [[Lawton, Oklahoma|Lawton]] westward, less frequently touched by southern moisture.<ref name="Climate of OK"/> Precipitation and temperatures decline from east to west. Areas in the southeast average an annual temperature of {{cvt|62|F}} and an annual rainfall of generally over {{cvt|40|in|-1}} and up to {{cvt|56|in|-1}}. Areas of the higher-elevation panhandle average {{cvt|58|F}}, with annual rainfall under {{cvt|17|in|-1}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/owrb.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723021315/http://www.owrb.ok.gov/|url-status=dead|title=Oklahoma Water Resources Board (835)|archivedate=July 23, 2009|website=Oklahoma Water Resources Board (835)}}</ref>

Over almost all of Oklahoma, winter is the driest season. Average monthly precipitation increases dramatically in the spring, to a peak in May, the wettest month over most of the state, with its frequent and not uncommonly severe thunderstorm activity. Early June can still be wet, but most years see a marked decrease in rainfall during June and early July. Mid-summer (July and August) represents a secondary dry season over much of Oklahoma, with long stretches of hot weather with only sporadic thunderstorm activity not uncommon many years.<ref name="The Climate of Oklahoma" />

Severe drought is common in the hottest summers, such as those of 1934, 1954, 1980 and 2011, all of which featured weeks on end of virtual rainlessness and highs well over {{cvt|100|F}}. Average precipitation rises again from September to mid-October, representing a secondary wetter season, then declines from late October through December.<ref name="The Climate of Oklahoma" />

The entire state frequently experiences temperatures above {{cvt|100|F}} or below {{cvt|0|F}},<ref name="Climate of OK">{{cite web |url=http://climate.mesonet.org/county_climate/Products/oklahoma_climate_overview.pdf |title=Oklahoma's Climate: an Overview |publisher=University of Oklahoma |access-date=August 1, 2007}}</ref> though below-zero temperatures are rare in south-central and southeastern Oklahoma. Snowfall ranges from an average of less than {{cvt|4|in|0}} in the south to just over {{cvt|20|in|0}} on the border of [[Colorado]] in the panhandle.<ref name="The Climate of Oklahoma" /> Oklahoma is home to the [[Storm Prediction Center]], the [[National Severe Storms Laboratory]], the [[Warning Decision Training Division]], and the [[Radar Operations Center]], all part of the [[National Weather Service]] and in [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/about.html |title=SPC and its Products |last=Novy |first=Chris |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=August 1, 2007}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; text-align: center;"
|+ Monthly temperatures for Oklahoma's largest cities<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ustravelweather.com/weather-oklahoma |title=Oklahoma Weather And Climate |year=2007 |publisher=UStravelweather.com |access-date=August 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001532/http://www.ustravelweather.com/weather-oklahoma |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://local.msn.com/weather.aspx?eid=18237&q=Lawton-OK&zip=73505 |title=Weather Averages: Lawton, Oklahoma |publisher=MSN Weather |access-date=August 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618031532/http://local.msn.com/weather.aspx?eid=18237&q=Lawton-OK&zip=73505 |archive-date=June 18, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
! scope="col" | City
! 
! scope="col" | Jan
! scope="col" | Feb
! scope="col" | March
! scope="col" | April
! scope="col" | May
! scope="col" | June
! scope="col" | July
! scope="col" | Aug
! scope="col" | Sept
! scope="col" | Oct
! scope="col" | Nov
! scope="col" | Dec
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Oklahoma City
! scope="row" | {{abbr|Avg.|Average}} high
| {{cvt|50|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|55|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|63|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|73|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|80|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|88|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|94|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|93|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|85|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|73|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|62|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|51|F|disp=br()}}
|-
! scope="row" | Avg. low
| {{cvt|29|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|33|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|41|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|50|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|60|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|68|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|72|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|71|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|63|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|52|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|40|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|31|F|disp=br()}}
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Tulsa
! scope="row" | Avg. high
| {{cvt|48|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|53|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|62|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|72|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|79|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|88|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|93|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|93|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|84|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|73|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|61|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|49|F|disp=br()}}
|-
! scope="row" | Avg. low
| {{cvt|27|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|31|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|40|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|49|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|59|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|68|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|73|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|71|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|62|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|51|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|40|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|30|F|disp=br()}}
|-
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Lawton
! scope="row" | Avg. high
| {{cvt|50|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|56|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|65|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|73|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|82|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|90|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|96|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|95|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|86|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|76|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|62|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|52|F|disp=br()}}
|-
! scope="row" | Avg. low
| {{cvt|26|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|31|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|40|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|49|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|59|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|68|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|73|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|71|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|63|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|51|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|39|F|disp=br()}}
| {{cvt|30|F|disp=br()}}
|}

===Cities and towns===
{{See also|List of cities in Oklahoma|}}

Oklahoma had 598 incorporated places in 2010, including four cities over 100,000 in population and 43 over 10,000.<ref name="ok commerce">{{cite web |url=http://www.okcommerce.gov/file/2000-2010-Oklahoma-Incorporate_3238.xls |author=Oklahoma Department of Commerce |title=2000–2010 Oklahoma Incorporated Place Populations |access-date=October 9, 2011 |format=xls |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520203935/http://www.okcommerce.gov/file/2000-2010-Oklahoma-Incorporate_3238.xls |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Two of the [[List of United States cities by population|fifty largest cities]] in the United States are in Oklahoma, [[Oklahoma City]] and [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]]. Sixty-five percent of Oklahomans live within their metropolitan areas, or spheres of economic and social influence defined by the United States Census Bureau as a [[metropolitan statistical area]]. Oklahoma City, the state's capital and largest city, had the [[Oklahoma City Metroplex|largest metropolitan area in the state]] in 2020, with 1,425,695 people. The [[Tulsa Metropolitan Area|metropolitan area of Tulsa]] had 1,015,331 residents.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Population and Housing State Data|url=https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html|access-date=2021-10-29|website=Census.gov}}</ref> Between 2000 and 2010, the leading cities in population growth were [[Blanchard, Oklahoma|Blanchard]] (172.4%), [[Elgin, Oklahoma|Elgin]] (78.2%), [[Jenks, Oklahoma|Jenks]] (77.0%), [[Piedmont, Oklahoma|Piedmont]] (56.7%), [[Bixby, Oklahoma|Bixby]] (56.6%), and [[Owasso, Oklahoma|Owasso]] (56.3%).<ref name="ok commerce" />

In descending order of population, Oklahoma's largest cities in 2010 were: Oklahoma City (579,999, +14.6%), Tulsa (391,906, −0.3%), Norman (110,925, +15.9%), [[Broken Arrow, Oklahoma|Broken Arrow]] (98,850, +32.0%), Lawton (96,867, +4.4%), [[Edmond, Oklahoma|Edmond]] (81,405, +19.2%), [[Moore, Oklahoma|Moore]] (55,081, +33.9%), [[Midwest City, Oklahoma|Midwest City]] (54,371, +0.5%), [[Enid, Oklahoma|Enid]] (49,379, +5.0%), and [[Stillwater, Oklahoma|Stillwater]] (45,688, +17.0%). Of the state's ten largest cities, three are outside the metropolitan areas of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and only Lawton has a metropolitan statistical area of its own as designated by the United States Census Bureau, though the metropolitan statistical area of [[Fort Smith, Arkansas]] extends into the state.<ref name="Ok cities">{{cite web|title=Oklahoma Census Data Center News |publisher=Oklahoma Department of Commerce |date=July 2007 |url=http://staging.okcommerce.gov/test1/dmdocuments/2007_July_Oklahoma_Census_Data_Center_News_1907072217.pdf |access-date=July 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808074217/http://staging.okcommerce.gov/test1/dmdocuments/2007_July_Oklahoma_Census_Data_Center_News_1907072217.pdf |archive-date=August 8, 2007 }}</ref>

Under Oklahoma law, municipalities are divided into two categories: cities, defined as having more than 1,000 residents, and towns, with under 1,000 residents. Both have [[Legislature|legislative]], [[Judiciary|judicial]], and public power within their boundaries, but cities can choose between a [[Mayor–council government|mayor–council]], [[Council–manager government|council–manager]], or [[Mayor–council government|strong mayor]] form of government, while towns operate through an elected officer system.<ref name="citygov">{{cite web | year=2005 | url=http://www.odl.state.ok.us/almanac/2005/12-muni.pdf | title=Oklahoma Municipal Government | publisher=Oklahoma Department of Libraries | access-date=August 7, 2007 | archive-date=August 8, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808074216/http://www.odl.state.ok.us/almanac/2005/12-muni.pdf }}</ref>

{{Largest cities
| country = Oklahoma
| stat_ref = Source (2020):<ref>{{cite web|title=Oklahoma Population |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/OK/PST045221|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=January 15, 2022}}</ref>
| list_by_pop =
| div_name =
| div_link = Counties of Oklahoma{{!}}County
| city_1 = Oklahoma City
| div_1 = Oklahoma County, Oklahoma{{!}}Oklahoma
| pop_1 = 681,054
| city_2 = Tulsa, Oklahoma{{!}}Tulsa
| div_2 = Tulsa County, Oklahoma{{!}}Tulsa
| pop_2 = 413,066
| city_3 = Norman, Oklahoma{{!}}Norman
| div_3 = Cleveland County, Oklahoma{{!}}Cleveland
| pop_3 = 128,026
| city_4 = Broken Arrow, Oklahoma{{!}}Broken Arrow
| div_4 = Tulsa County, Oklahoma{{!}}Tulsa
| pop_4 = 113,540
| city_5 = Edmond, Oklahoma{{!}}Edmond
| div_5 = Oklahoma County, Oklahoma{{!}}Oklahoma
| pop_5 = 94,428
| city_6 = Lawton, Oklahoma{{!}}Lawton
| div_6 = Comanche County, Oklahoma{{!}}Comanche
| pop_6 = 90,381
| city_7 = Moore, Oklahoma{{!}}Moore
| div_7 = Cleveland County, Oklahoma{{!}}Cleveland
| pop_7 = 62,793
| city_8 = Midwest City, Oklahoma{{!}}Midwest City
| div_8 = Oklahoma County, Oklahoma{{!}}Oklahoma
| pop_8 = 58,409
| city_9 = Enid, Oklahoma{{!}}Enid
| div_9 = Garfield County, Oklahoma{{!}}Garfield
| pop_9 = 51,308
| city_10 = Stillwater, Oklahoma{{!}}Stillwater
| div_10 = Payne County, Oklahoma{{!}}Payne
| pop_10 = 48,394
}}

<gallery class="center" widths=200 heights=160>
File:Downtown_Oklahoma_City_skyline_(2).jpg|Oklahoma City
File:Downtown_Tulsa_Skyline.jpg|Tulsa
File:SemiAerial_OU.jpg|Norman
File:Historic_house_Broken_Arrow_Oklahoma.jpg|Broken Arrow
</gallery>

==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of Oklahoma}}
[[File:Oklahoma population density 2020.png|thumb|upright=1.75|A map of Oklahoma's population density]]
{{US Census population
| 1890 = 258657
| 1900 = 790391
| 1910 = 1657155
| 1920 = 2028283
| 1930 = 2396040
| 1940 = 2336433
| 1950 = 2233513
| 1960 = 2328284
| 1970 = 2559229
| 1980 = 3025290
| 1990 = 3145585
| 2000 = 3450654
| 2010 = 3751675
| 2020 = 3959353
| estimate = 4095393
| estref = <ref>{{Cite web |title=QuickFacts: Oklahoma |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/OK | website=Census.gov | publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 20, 2024}}</ref>
| estyear = 2024
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web |title=Historical Population Change Data (1910–2020) |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/dec/popchange-data-text.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 1, 2022 |archive-date=April 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429012609/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/dec/popchange-data-text.html }}</ref>
}}From a [[1920 United States census|1920 U.S. census]] population of 2,028,283, Oklahoma's population has continued to increase. At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], its population was 3,751,675. The [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] revealed its population to be was 3,959,353, an 5.5% increase since 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2020/dec/2020-apportionment-data.html |title=2020 Census Apportionment Results |date=April 26, 2021 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] }}</ref> A 2022 [[American Community Survey]] estimate found that the population had surpassed 4 million residents for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma eclipses 4 million residents, latest U.S. Census Bureau data shows |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/local/2023/01/06/oklahoma-population-2023-passes-4m-mark-mirroring-oklahoma-city-growth/69782081007/ |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}</ref> Among the states of the [[South Central United States|South Central]] region, Oklahoma had the second-largest population increase from 2010 to 2020, behind [[Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Texas Added Almost 4 Million People in Last Decade |url=https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/texas-population-change-between-census-decade.html |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Census.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma Population Up 5.5% Last Decade |url=https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/oklahoma-population-change-between-census-decade.html |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Census.gov}}</ref>

In 2018, of Oklahoma's total resident population, approximately 236,882 were [[Immigrants (United States)|immigrants]], making up 6% of Oklahoma's population at the time. Most of its immigrant population came from Mexico (45%), Vietnam (5%), India (5%), Germany (3%), and Guatemala (3%). In the state, 246,550 residents were native-born Americans who had at least one immigrant parent. An estimated 85,000 immigrants were undocumented with 125,989 Oklahomans having lived with at least one undocumented family member between 2010 and 2014. Immigrants to Oklahoma have contributed more than a billion U.S. dollars in taxes in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-01 |title=Immigrants in Oklahoma |url=https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/immigrants-in-oklahoma |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=American Immigration Council |language=en}}</ref>

In 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey data from 2005 to 2009 indicated about 5% of Oklahoma's residents were born outside the United States. This was lower than the national figure of about 12.5% of U.S. residents being foreign-born.<ref>Paul Monies, [http://newsok.com/article/3530618 Oklahoma's foreign-born population continues to grow in most counties], ''The Oklahoman'' (January 9, 2011).</ref>

In 2010, the [[center of population]] of Oklahoma was in [[Lincoln County, Oklahoma|Lincoln County]], near the town of [[Sparks, Oklahoma|Sparks]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2010 Census Centers of Population by State |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |year=2010 |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/cenpop2010/CenPop2010_Mean_ST.txt |access-date=September 17, 2011}}</ref>

According to [[United States Department of Housing and Urban Development|HUD]]'s 2022 [[Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress|Annual Homeless Assessment Report]], there were an estimated 3,754 [[Homelessness|homeless]] people in Oklahoma.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2007-2022 PIT Counts by State |url=https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huduser.gov%2Fportal%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fxls%2F2007-2022-PIT-Counts-by-State.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress |url=https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2022-AHAR-Part-1.pdf}}</ref>

===Race and ethnicity===
[[File:Oklahoma counties by race.svg|thumb|Map of counties in Oklahoma by racial plurality, per the 2020 U.S. census{{Collapsible list
| title = Legend|{{col-begin}}{{col-3}}

'''Non-Hispanic White'''

{{legend|#cc4125|50–60%}}

{{legend|#a61c00|60–70%}}

{{legend|#85200c|70–80%}}

{{legend|#5b0f00|80–90%}}

{{col-3}}

'''Native American'''

{{legend|#b6d7a8|40–50%}}

{{legend|#93c47d|50–60%}}

{{col-3}}

'''Hispanic or Latino'''

{{legend|#76a5af|50–60%}}

{{col-end}}
}}]]
As with the majority of the U.S., Oklahoma has experienced diversification since the beginning of the 21st century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New census data show's the nation is diversifying even faster than predicted |url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/new-census-data-shows-the-nation-is-diversifying-even-faster-than-predicted/ |website=Brookings Institution|date=July 2020 }}</ref> In 1940, 90.1% of the state's population was [[non-Hispanic White]]. In 2020, 75.5% of the population was White, down from 1990's 81% yet up from 2010's 72.2%. Among its population at the 2020 census, the remainder of its increasingly diverse population was 11.9% [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race, 16% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]], 9.7% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 3.1% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.4% [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]] and [[Pacific Islander Americans|other Pacific Islander]], and 9% some other race.<ref name="2020OKCensus" />

In the 2010 census, 8.6% were American Indian and Alaska Native, 7.4% Black or African American, 1.7%  Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 4.1% from some other race and 5.9% of two or more races; 8.9% of Oklahoma's population were of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin (they may be of any race).<ref name="2020OKCensus" />

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|+ Historical racial demographics
|-
! Racial composition !!1940<ref name="census" />  !! 1970<ref name="census" />  !! 1990<ref name="census">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0056/twps0056.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725044857/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0056/twps0056.html |archive-date=July 25, 2008 |title=Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, For The United States, Regions, Divisions, and States |publisher=Census.gov |access-date=April 23, 2014 }}</ref> !! 2010<ref name="Census2010">{{cite web |title=2010 Census: Oklahoma Profile |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10_thematic/2010_Profile/2010_Profile_Map_Oklahoma.pdf |website=census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 28, 2021}}</ref>!! 2020<ref name="2020DP1">{{Cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=040XX00US40 |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Oklahoma |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 17, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[White Americans|White]] || 90.1% || 89.1% || 81% || 72.2% || 63.5% 
|-
| [[Hispanic Americans|Hispanic]] || – || – || 2.7% || 8.9% || 11.9% 
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native]] || 2.7% || 3.8% || 8% || 8.6% || 8.4% 
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]] || 7.2% || 6.7%|| 7.4% || 7.4% || 7.3% 
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] (Included<br />[[Pacific Islands Americans|Pacific Islanders]] before 1990) || - || 0.1% || 1.1% || 1.7% || 2.3% 
|-
| [[Native Hawaiian]] and<br />[[Pacific Islands Americans|other Pacific Islander]] || – || – || – || 0.1% || 0.2% 
|-
| [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Other race]] || – || 0.2% || 1.3% || 4.1% || 5.4% 
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]  || – || – || – || 5.9% || 12.8% 
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|+ Oklahoma racial composition by ethnicity, including in combination
|-
! Racial composition !!2010<ref name="2020OKCensus">{{cite web |title=Race and Ethnicity in the United States: 2010 Census and 2020 Census |url=https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/race-and-ethnicity-in-the-united-state-2010-and-2020-census.html |website=census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 15, 2021}}</ref> !!2020<ref name="2020OKCensus" />
|-
| [[White Americans|White]] || 77.5% || 75.5%
|-
| [[Hispanic Americans|Hispanic]] || 8.9% || 11.9% 
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native]] || 12.9% || 16% 
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]] || 8.7% ||9.7%
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] || 2.2% || 3.1% 
|-
| [[Native Hawaiian]] and<br />[[Pacific Islands Americans|other Pacific Islander]] || 0.2% || 0.4%
|-
| [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Other race]] || 4.7% || 9% 
|}
[[File:Oklahoma Tribal Areas.svg|thumb|[[Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Area]]s (teal)]]

In 2005, Oklahoma's estimated ancestral makeup was 14.5% German, 13.1% [[Southern United States#European colonization|American]], 11.8% [[Irish American|Irish]], 9.6% [[English American|English]], 8.1% [[African Americans|African American]], and 11.4% Native American (including 7.9% Cherokee),<ref name="demo">{{cite web | year=2002 | url=https://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/c2kbr01-15.pdf | title= The American Indian and Alaska Native Population: 2000| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=August 5, 2007}}</ref> though the percentage of people claiming American Indian as their only race was 8.1%.<ref name="Oklahoma QuickFacts">{{cite web |date=January 12, 2006 |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html |title=Oklahoma QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau |website=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=July 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514235102/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Most people from Oklahoma who self-identify as having [[American ancestry]] are of overwhelmingly [[English American|English]] and [[Scots-Irish Americans|Scots-Irish]] ancestry with significant amounts of [[Scottish American|Scottish]], [[Welsh American|Welsh]] and [[Irish American|Irish]] ancestry.<ref>[[David Hackett Fischer]], ''[[Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America]]'', New York: Oxford University Press, 1989, pp.602–645</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Dominic Pulera|title=Sharing the Dream: White Males in Multicultural America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SVoAXh-dNuYC&pg=PA57|year=2004|publisher=A&C Black|isbn=978-0-8264-1643-8|page=57}}</ref> The majority of Hispanics in Oklahoma are of [[Mexican Americans|Mexican]] origin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=HI014|title=Hispanics &#124; The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture|website=Oklahoma Historical Society &#124; OHS}}</ref> There are 38 federally recognized Native American tribes in Oklahoma.<ref name="JusticeIC">{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2015 |title=Indian Country |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/indian-country |access-date=9 March 2023 |website=Northern District of Oklahoma |publisher=United States Attorney's Office}}</ref>

In 2011, 47.3% of Oklahoma's population younger than age{{nbsp}}1 were minorities, meaning they had at least one parent who was not non-Hispanic white.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2012/06/americas_under_age_1_populatio.html|title=Americans under age{{nbsp}}1 now mostly minorities, but not in Ohio: Statistical Snapshot|last=Exner|first=Rich|date=June 3, 2012|work=[[The Plain Dealer]]}}</ref>

===Language===
{{Infobox language
| name             = Oklahoma English
| region           = Oklahoma
| ethnicity        = [[Okie]]s
| speakers         = 
| date             = 
| ref              = 
| speakers2        = 
| familycolor      = Indo-European
| fam2             = [[Germanic languages|Germanic]]
| fam3             = [[West Germanic languages|West Germanic]]
| fam4             = [[North Sea Germanic|Ingvaeonic]]
| fam5             = [[Anglo-Frisian languages|Anglo–Frisian]]
| fam6             = [[Anglic languages|Anglic]]
| fam7             = [[English language|English]]
| fam8             = [[North American English]]
| fam9             = [[American English]]
| fam10            = [[Southern American English]]
| fam11            = American Inland South English
| ancestor         = [[Old English]]
| ancestor2        = [[Middle English]]
| ancestor3        = [[Early Modern English]]
| script           = [[Latin script|Latin]] ([[English alphabet]])<br />[[American Braille]]
| isoexception     = dialect
| glotto           = ozar1236
| ietf             = 
| notice           = 
}}

[[File:Cherokeestompdance.ogg|thumb|Recording of a [[Cherokee language]] stomp dance ceremony in Oklahoma]]
[[File:Cherokee stop sign.png|thumb|upright=0.7|Located in [[Tahlequah]], this [[stop sign]] includes [[Cherokee language|Cherokee]] lettering. ]]

====English====
The English language has been official in the state of Oklahoma since 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsok.com/oklahoma-votes-to-make-english-official-language/article/3510663|title=Oklahoma votes to make English official language|publisher=News OK|date=November 2, 2010|access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> The variety of [[North American English]] spoken is called Oklahoma English, which is "quite diverse with its uneven blending of features of North Midland, South Midland, and [[Southern American English|Southern]] dialects".<ref name="Languages">{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/states/Oklahoma-Languages.html|title=Oklahoma-Languages|publisher=City-data.com|date=2000|access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=May 2024}} In 2000, 2,977,187 Oklahomans—92.6% of the resident population, five years or older—spoke only English at home, a decrease from 95% in 1990.<ref name="Languages" /> 238,732 Oklahoma residents reported speaking a language other than English at home in the 2000 census, about 7.4% of the state's population.<ref name="Languages" />

====Native American languages====

The two most commonly spoken native North American languages are [[Cherokee language|Cherokee]] and [[Choctaw language|Choctaw]], with 10,000 Cherokee speakers living within the [[Cherokee Nation]] tribal jurisdiction area of eastern Oklahoma and another 10,000 Choctaw speakers living in the [[Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma|Choctaw Nation]] directly south of the Cherokees.<ref name="Cherokee">{{cite web|title=Cherokee|website=Ethnologue|access-date=April 11, 2014|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/language/chr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730231052/http://www.ethnologue.com/language/chr|archive-date=July 30, 2015}}</ref> Cherokee is an official language in the Cherokee Nation tribal jurisdiction area and in the [[United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians]].<ref name="official" /><ref name="constitution" /><ref name="CARLA">{{cite web | title = The Cherokee Nation & its Language | website = University of Minnesota: Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition | date = 2008 | url = http://www.carla.umn.edu/conferences/past/immersion2008/documents/Peter_L_CherokeeNation.pdf | access-date = May 22, 2014 | archive-date = July 14, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714131213/http://www.carla.umn.edu/conferences/past/immersion2008/documents/Peter_L_CherokeeNation.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Twenty-five [[Indigenous languages of the Americas|Native American languages]] are spoken in Oklahoma,<ref name="languages" /> second only to [[California]]. However, only Cherokee, if any, exhibits some language vitality at present. ''[[Ethnologue]]'' sees Cherokee as [[Endangered language|moribund]] because the only remaining active users of the language are members of the grandparent generation and older.

====Other languages====

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:1em; float:center"
|+ '''Top 10 non-English languages spoken in Oklahoma'''
|-
! Language !! Percentage of population<br />({{as of|2000|lc=on}})<ref name="Languages" />
|-
| Spanish || 4.4%
|-
| [[Indigenous languages of North America|Native North American languages]] || 0.6%
|-
| German and Vietnamese (tied) || 0.4%
|-
| French || 0.3%
|-
| Chinese || 0.2%
|-
| Korean, Arabic, [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]], Japanese (tied) || 0.1%
|}

[[Spanish language in the United States|Spanish]] is the second-most commonly spoken language in Oklahoma, with 141,060 speakers counted in 2000.<ref name="Languages" /> German has 13,444 speakers representing about 0.4% of the state's population.<ref name="Languages" /> Vietnamese is spoken by 11,330 people,<ref name="Languages" /> or about 0.4% of the population,<ref name="Languages" /> many of whom live in the [[Asia District, Oklahoma City|Asia District]] of [[Oklahoma City]]. Other languages include French with 8,258 speakers (0.3%), [[Chinese Americans|Chinese]] with 6,413 (0.2%), Korean with 3,948 (0.1%), Arabic with 3,265 (0.1%), other Asian languages with 3,134 (0.1%), [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] with 2,888 (0.1%), Japanese with 2,546 (0.1%), and African languages with 2,546 (0.1%).<ref name="Languages" />

===Religion===
{{See also|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oklahoma}}
[[File:BostonAvenueMethodist.jpg|thumb|The [[Boston Avenue Methodist Church]] in Tulsa is a [[National Historic Landmark]].]]

Oklahoma is part of a geographical region characterized by conservative and Evangelical Protestant Christianity known as the "[[Bible Belt]]". Spanning the southern and eastern parts of the United States, the area is known for [[Ideology|politically and socially]] conservative views, with the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] having the greater number of voters registered between the two major parties.<ref name="ok.gov">{{cite news |url=https://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/20180115%20-%20Registration%20By%20County%20%28vr2420%29.pdf |title=Current Registration Statistics by County |work=ok.gov |date=January 15, 2018 |access-date=January 23, 2018 |archive-date=January 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124135641/https://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/20180115%20-%20Registration%20By%20County%20%28vr2420%29.pdf }}</ref> Tulsa, the state's second-largest city, home to [[Oral Roberts University]], is sometimes called the "[[Bible Belt#Buckle|buckle of the Bible Belt]]".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.newvoices.org/cgi-bin/articlepage.cgi?id=672 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121104922/http://www.newvoices.org/cgi-bin/articlepage.cgi?id=672 | archive-date=January 21, 2007 | title=Jewish Life in the Bible Belt | last=Bram | publisher=New Voices Magazine | access-date=August 5, 2007 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=April 29, 2007 |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-162762471.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910074711/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-162762471.html |archive-date=September 10, 2016 |title=Minister's book plunges into cultural issues |first=Bill |last=Sherman |work=Tulsa World |access-date=July 2, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2000, there were about 5,000 [[List of synagogues in Oklahoma|Jews]] and 6,000 Muslims, with ten congregations to each group.<ref name="religion">{{cite web| url=http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/40_2000.asp| title=State Membership Report—Oklahoma| publisher=Association of Religion Data Archives| access-date=August 5, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234702/http://thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/40_2000.asp| archive-date=September 26, 2007| url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to the [[Pew Research Center]] in 2008, the majority of Oklahoma's religious adherents were [[Christian]], accounting for about 80% of the population. The percentage of Catholics was half the national average, while the percentage of [[Evangelical]] Protestants was more than twice the national average, tied with Arkansas for the largest percentage of any state.<ref name="religion2">{{cite web | url=http://religions.pewforum.org/maps | title=U.S. Religious Landscapes Survey| publisher=The Pew Forum on Religion and Life| access-date=April 22, 2008}}</ref>
[[File:OKC Cathedral.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Oklahoma City)|Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help]] in Oklahoma City]]

In 2010, the state's largest church memberships were in the [[Southern Baptist Convention]] (886,394 members), the [[United Methodist Church]] (282,347), the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church]] (178,430), and the [[Assemblies of God USA|Assemblies of God]] (85,926) and [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics/country/united-states/state/oklahoma|title=LDS Statistics and Church Facts {{!}} Total Church Membership|work=www.mormonnewsroom.org|access-date=July 31, 2017|language=en}}</ref> (47,349). Other religions represented in the state include [[Buddhism]], [[Hinduism]], and [[Islam]].<ref name="www.thearda.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/r/s/40/rcms2010_40_state_family_2010.asp |title=The Association of Religion Data Archives &#124; State Membership Report |publisher=thearda.com |access-date=December 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209190519/http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/r/s/40/rcms2010_40_state_family_2010.asp |archive-date=February 9, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

According to the Pew Research Center in 2014, the majority of Oklahoma's religious adherents remained Christian accounting for 79% of the population, 9 percent higher than the national average.<ref name="Pew2014national" /> The percentage of Evangelical Protestants declined since the last study, but they remain the largest religious group in the state at 47% over 20 percent higher than the national average.<ref name="Pew2014national">{{cite web |title=Religious Landscape Study- Religions |url=https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/ |publisher=Pew Research Center |access-date=April 27, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103045246/https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The largest growth over the six years between Pew's 2008 and 2014 survey was in the number of people who identify as [[irreligious|unaffiliated]] in the state with an increase of 6% of the total population.

By the 2020 [[Public Religion Research Institute]]'s survey, 73% of the population were Christian.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PRRI – American Values Atlas |url=https://ava.prri.org/#religious/2020/States/religion/m/US-OK |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=ava.prri.org |archive-date=April 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404161714/https://ava.prri.org/#religious/2020/States/religion/m/US-OK |url-status=dead }}</ref> Evangelicalism made up 29% of the state population, followed by [[Mainline Protestant]]ism at 19%. [[Black church|Historically and predominantly African-American]] and Latino churches collectively made up 8% of the religious demographic. An estimated 13% of the state's religious population were Roman Catholic. About 22% of the population had no religious affiliation.

In April 2025, the [[Oklahoma Legislature]] passed a non-binding concurrent resolution proclaiming [[Christ the King]] and recognize "the enduring influence of Christian faith in the lives of its people."<ref>{{cite web |title=A Concurrent Resolution proclaiming Christ is King; recognizing the spiritual heritage of Oklahoma; and directing distribution. |url=https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20ENGR/hres/HCR1013%20ENGR.PDF |publisher=[[Oklahoma Legislature]] |access-date=June 3, 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|+ '''Religious affiliation in Oklahoma'''
|-
! Religion 
! 2008<ref name="religion" />{{efn|Determined by a survey by the Pew Research Center in 2008. Percentages represent claimed religious beliefs, not necessarily membership in any particular congregation. Figures have a ±5{{nbsp}}percent margin of error.<ref name="religion2"/>}}  
! 2014<ref name="Pew2014">{{cite web |title=Adults in Oklahoma Religious composition of adults in Oklahoma |url=https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/state/oklahoma/ |website=pewforum.org |publisher=Pew Research Center |access-date=April 27, 2021}}</ref>
! 2023-2024<ref>{{cite web |title=People in Oklahoma |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/state/oklahoma/?selectedYear=2024&activeChartId=52741f354089081f27633cf1d1903709&dialogId=8ee4020a0eb7b27012884388affce715 |website=pewresearch.org |publisher=Pew Research |access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref>
|-
| [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] Protestant||  53% || 47% || 47%
|-
| [[Mainline Protestant]] || 16% || 18% || 11% 
|-
| Historically [[Black Protestant]] || 3% || 4% || 4%
|-
| [[Catholic]] || 12%  || 8% || 8%
|-
| [[Mormon]]|| <0.5% || 1% || 1%
|-
| [[Orthodoxy#Christianity|Orthodox Christianity]] || <0.5% || <1% || <1% 
|-
| [[Jehovah's Witness]] || <0.5% || <1% || <1% 
|-
| Other [[Christians]] || 1% || <1% || <1%  
|-
| [[Jewish]] || 1% || <1% || 1% 
|-
| [[Muslim]] || <0.5% || <1% || <1% 
|-
| [[Buddhist]] || 1% || <1% || <1% 
|- 
| [[Hindu]] || <0.5% || <1% || <1% 
|- 
| Other World Faiths ||<0.5% || <1% || <1% 
|-
| [[irreligious|Unaffiliated]], [[Atheist]], [[Agnostic]], and nothing in particular || 12% || 18% || 26% 
|-
|[[Unitarianism|Unitarians]], [[Humanists]], [[Deists]], [[Spiritual but not religious]], [[Eclecticism|Eclectic]], and "other liberal faiths" ||  No data || <1% || 1% 
|-
|[[New Age religion]], [[Paganism|Pagans]] or [[Wiccan]] || No data || <1% || <1% 
|-
| [[Native American religions]] || No data || <1% || <1% 
|-
| Don't Know || 1% || 1% || 1% 
|}

===Incarceration===

Oklahoma has been described as "the world's prison capital", with 1,079 of every 100,000 residents imprisoned in 2018, the fourth-highest incarceration rate of any American state, and by comparison, higher than the [[List of countries by incarceration rate|incarceration rates]] of any country in the world.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Wagner | first1 = Peter | last2 = Sawyer | first2 = Wendy | date = June 2018 | title = States of Incarceration: The Global Context 2018 | url = https://www.prisonpolicy.org/global/2018.html | journal = Prison Policy Initiative}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Sweeney | first = Catherine | date = November 27, 2018 | title = Growth of Oklahoma's Prison Population Slows | url = http://journalrecord.com/2018/11/27/growth-of-oklahomas-prison-population-slows/ | work = The Journal Record}}</ref>

=== Gender issues ===
In an April 2023 report, [[The Sentencing Project]] highlighted Oklahoma's Failure to Protect law, which has "been used primarily against women" and has "sometimes resulted in survivors of abuse facing longer sentences for allegedly failing to protect their children from harm than the person who committed the abuse." The report states that "since the law went into effect in 2009, 139 women in Oklahoma have been imprisoned solely for failure-to-protect charges."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Sentencing Reform for Criminalized Survivors |url=https://www.sentencingproject.org/app/uploads/2023/04/Sentencing-Reform-for-Criminalized-Survivors.pdf?emci=d27cd503-26de-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&emdi=134a7479-bade-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&ceid=10123357&fbclid=IwAR2aJ-Ekg7RYu6Q5WwlC6JMjDB7oKEWLhB2BAQK_SWKLYv3F1B_tQxDgVog}}</ref> The [[Human Rights Campaign]] has also pointed out cases of the Oklahoma legislature's actions against the LGBTQ population and censuring of a nonbinary lawmaker.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Human Rights Campaign Condemns Oklahoma Senate Passage of Three Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills and Slams Oklahoma House for Censuring Rep Turner |url=https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-condemns-oklahoma-senate-passage-of-three-anti-lgbtq-bills-and-slams-oklahoma-house-for-censuring-rep-turner |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Human Rights Campaign |date=March 7, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Economy==

{{main|Economy of Oklahoma}}
{{See also|Oklahoma locations by per capita income|List of Oklahoma counties by socio-economic factors}}
[[File:The BOK Building.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[BOK Tower]] in Tulsa, Oklahoma's second-tallest building, serves as the world headquarters for the [[Williams Companies]].]]

Oklahoma is host to a diverse range of sectors including [[aviation]], energy, transportation equipment, [[food processing]], [[electronics]], and telecommunications. Oklahoma is an important producer of natural gas, aircraft, and [[agriculture|food]].<ref name="Oklahoma's Economy 1" /> The state ranks third in the nation for production of natural gas, is the 27th-most agriculturally productive state, and also ranks 5th in production of wheat.<ref name="agriculture">{{cite web|date=July 3, 2007 |url=http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/state-fact-sheets/state-data.aspx?StateFIPS=40&StateName=Oklahoma#.U852SfldVu0 |title=State Fact Sheets: Oklahoma |publisher=[[United States Department of Agriculture]] |access-date=August 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729111442/http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/state-fact-sheets/state-data.aspx?StateFIPS=40&StateName=Oklahoma |archive-date=July 29, 2012 }}</ref> Four [[Fortune 500]] companies and six [[Fortune 1000]] companies are headquartered in Oklahoma,<ref name="Fortune 500">{{cite web| url=http://globaledge.msu.edu/States/Oklahoma/corporations| title= Oklahoma:Corporations |author=globalEDGE Michigan State University | access-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref> and it has been rated one of the most business-friendly states in the nation,<ref name="Pro-Business">{{cite web|url=http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?Itemid=383&id=302&option=content&task=view |title=An Overview of Oklahoma's Target Industries |publisher=Oklahoma Department of Commerce |access-date=August 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070723103431/http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=302&Itemid=383 |archive-date=July 23, 2007 }}</ref> with the 7th-lowest tax burden in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|year=2007| first=David | last=Ellis| url=https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/pf/0704/gallery.tax_friendliest/8.html| title=Tax Friendly Places 2007| publisher=[[CNN|CNN Money]]|access-date=August 8, 2007}}</ref>
* Total employment (2018): 1,385,228
* Number of employer establishments: 93,561<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/OK |title=Quickfacts Oklahoma |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 9, 2021 }}</ref>

In 2010, Oklahoma City-based [[Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores]] ranked 18th on the Forbes list of largest private companies, Tulsa-based [[QuikTrip]] ranked 37th, and Oklahoma City-based [[Hobby Lobby]] ranked 198th in 2010 report.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/21/private-companies-10_rank.html | website=[[Forbes]] |title=America's Largest Private Companies: Complete List | access-date=September 30, 2011}}</ref>

Oklahoma's [[gross domestic product]] was $254.13 billion in 2023.<ref name="GDPByState">{{cite web |title=GDP by State |url=https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gdp-state |website=GDP by State &#124; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) |publisher=Bureau of Economic Analysis |access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref> The state had a [[per capita income]] of $58,499 in 2023, which ranked 43rd in the U.S., and its [[median household income]] ranked 46th at $59,673.<ref name="r095">{{cite web | last=Account | first=Economic | title=Personal Income by State | website=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) | date=2024-03-29 | url=https://www.bea.gov/data/income-saving/personal-income-by-state | access-date=2024-05-24}}</ref><ref name="u858">{{cite web  | title=S1901: Income in the Past 12 Months | url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2022.S1901 | work=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> Additionally, Oklahoma ranks consistently among the lowest states in cost of living index.<ref>{{cite web|year=2007 |url=http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?ption=content&task=view&id=330&Itemid=411 |title=More or Less |website=Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce |access-date=August 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006120142/http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?ption=content&task=view&id=330&Itemid=411 |archive-date=October 6, 2007 }}</ref>

Though oil has historically dominated the state's economy, a [[1980s oil glut|collapse in the energy industry]] during the 1980s led to the loss of nearly 90,000 energy-related jobs between 1980 and 2000, severely damaging the local economy.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mark |last=Snead |year=2006 |url=http://economy.okstate.edu/outlook/2006/2006%20Oklahoma%20Economic%20Outlook%20-%20GM%20Closing.pdf |title=Outlook Update—OKC GM Plant Closing |publisher=[[Oklahoma State University]] |access-date=August 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901115547/http://economy.okstate.edu/outlook/2006/2006%20Oklahoma%20Economic%20Outlook%20-%20GM%20Closing.pdf |archive-date=September 1, 2006 }}</ref> Oil accounted for 35 billion dollars in Oklahoma's economy in 2007,<ref name="oerb2008" /> and employment in the state's oil industry was outpaced by five other industries in 2007.<ref name="employment" /> {{As of|September 2020}}, the state's unemployment rate was 5.3%.<ref>[http://www.bls.gov/lau/ Bls.gov]; Local Area Unemployment Statistics</ref>

===Industry===

In mid-2011, Oklahoma had a civilian labor force of 1.7 million and non-farm employment fluctuated around 1.5 million.<ref name="employment" /> The government sector provides the most jobs, with 339,300 in 2011, followed by the transportation and utilities sector, providing 279,500 jobs, and the sectors of education, business, and [[manufacturing]], providing 207,800, 177,400, and 132,700 jobs, respectively.<ref name="employment">{{cite web |date=July 1, 2011|url=http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ok.htm| title= Oklahoma Economy at a Glance| publisher=United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics| access-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref> Among the state's largest industries, the aerospace sector generates $11 billion annually.<ref name="Pro-Business" />

Tulsa is home to the largest airline maintenance base in the world, which serves as the global maintenance and engineering headquarters for [[American Airlines]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aa.com/content/amrcorp/pressReleases/2005_03/03_tulmebase.jhtml |title=American's TUL Maintenance & Engineering Base Sets Goal to Achieve $500 Million in Revenue, Cost Savings By End of 2006 |publisher=American Airlines |access-date=July 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001063528/http://www.aa.com/content/amrcorp/pressReleases/2005_03/03_tulmebase.jhtml |archive-date=October 1, 2005 }}</ref> In total, aerospace accounts for more than 10 percent of Oklahoma's industrial output, and it is one of the top 10 states in aerospace engine manufacturing.<ref name="Oklahoma's Economy 1">{{cite web |url=http://staging.okcommerce.gov/test1/dmdocuments/Oklahoma_At_A_Glance_0602061749.pdf |title=Oklahoma at a Glance |publisher=Oklahoma Department of Commerce |access-date=August 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808074214/http://staging.okcommerce.gov/test1/dmdocuments/Oklahoma_At_A_Glance_0602061749.pdf |archive-date=August 8, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Because of its position in the center of the United States, Oklahoma is also among the top states for logistic centers, and a major contributor to weather-related research.<ref name="Pro-Business" />

The state is the top manufacturer of tires in North America and contains one of the fastest-growing [[biotechnology]] industries in the nation.<ref name="Pro-Business" /> In 2005, international exports from Oklahoma's manufacturing industry totaled $4.3 billion, accounting for 3.6 percent of its economic impact.<ref>{{cite web |year=2005|url=http://www.traderoots.org/FOT/IOT/IOT07_OK.pdf| title= Impact of Trade in Oklahoma| publisher=United States Chamber of Commerce|access-date=August 1, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070808074216/http://www.traderoots.org/FOT/IOT/IOT07_OK.pdf |archive-date = August 8, 2007}}</ref> Tire manufacturing, meat processing, oil and gas equipment manufacturing, and air conditioner manufacturing are the state's largest manufacturing industries.<ref>{{cite web|year=2005 |url=http://staging.okcommerce.gov/test1/dmdocuments/Manufacturing_Cluster_Report_2908051623.pdf |title=Manufacturing Cluster Analysis |publisher=Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce |access-date=August 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808074218/http://staging.okcommerce.gov/test1/dmdocuments/Manufacturing_Cluster_Report_2908051623.pdf |archive-date=August 8, 2007 }}</ref>

===Energy===

[[File:oil well.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|A major oil-producing state, Oklahoma is the fifth-largest producer of crude oil in the United States.<ref name="oerb2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.oerb.com/Portals/0/docs/State%20Oil%20Gas%20Impact%20Draft%2020080916.pdf |publisher=Oklahoma Energy Resource Board |year=2008 |title=The Economic Impact of Oklahoma's Oil & Natural Gas Industry |access-date=October 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413062127/http://www.oerb.com/Portals/0/docs/State%20Oil%20Gas%20Impact%20Draft%2020080916.pdf |archive-date=April 13, 2012 }}</ref>]]

Oklahoma is the nation's third-largest producer of [[natural gas]], and its fifth-largest producer of crude oil. The state also has the second-greatest number of active [[drilling rig]]s,<ref name="oerb2008" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/BHI/1397226957x0x500788/8852C779-8393-43D1-B07F-C68A059D9307/Rigs_by_State_091611.pdf |publisher=Baker Hughes |title=Baker Hughes Rotary Rigs by State |access-date=July 2, 2016}}</ref> and it is even ranked fifth in crude oil reserves.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ogs.ou.edu/pdf/OKO&GLocal.pdf |author=Oklahoma Geological Survey |title=Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas: Components and Long-Term Outlook| access-date=October 22, 2011}}</ref> While the state was ranked eighth for installed [[Wind power|wind energy]] capacity in 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/docs/installed_wind_capacity_by_state.xls |author=United States Department of Energy |title=Installed Wind Capacity by State |access-date=October 22, 2011 |format=xls |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016123819/http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/docs/installed_wind_capacity_by_state.xls |archive-date=October 16, 2011 |author-link=United States Department of Energy }}</ref> it still was at the bottom of states in usage of [[renewable energy]] in 2009, with 94% of its electricity being generated by [[Non-renewable energy|non-renewable]] sources in 2009, including 25% from coal and 46% from natural gas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eia.gov/state/seds/hf.jsp?incfile=sep_sum/html/sum_btu_1.html |title=Oklahoma Energy Statistics |publisher=US Energy Information Administration |year=2009 |access-date=October 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113125936/http://www.eia.gov/state/seds/hf.jsp?incfile=sep_sum%2Fhtml%2Fsum_btu_1.html |archive-date=January 13, 2012 }}</ref>

In 2019, 53.5% of electricity was produced from [[natural gas]] and 34.6% from [[wind power]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Oklahoma Wind Farms Mapped|periodical=StateImpact Oklahoma {{!}} Environment, Education, Energy, Health and Justice: Policy to People|publisher=Oklahoma Public Media Exchange|url=https://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma/2018/09/06/oklahoma-wind-farms-mapped/|last=Joe Wertz|date=September 6, 2018|language=en}}</ref>

Ranking 13th for total energy consumption per capita in 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eia.gov/state/seds/hf.jsp?incfile=sep_sum/plain_html/rank_use_per_cap.html |title=Energy Consumption by Source and Total Consumption per Capita, Ranked by State, 2009 |publisher=US Energy Information Administration |year=2009 |access-date=October 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021212855/http://www.eia.gov/state/seds/hf.jsp?incfile=sep_sum%2Fplain_html%2Frank_use_per_cap.html |archive-date=October 21, 2011 }}</ref> the state's energy costs were eighth-lowest in the nation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/state-regs/pdf/Oklahoma.pdf |author=Institute for Energy Research |title=Oklahoma Energy Facts |access-date=October 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613033035/http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/state-regs/pdf/Oklahoma.pdf |archive-date=June 13, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== Oil, gas, and coal ====
As a whole, the oil energy industry contributes $35 billion to Oklahoma's gross domestic product (GDP), and employees of the state's oil-related companies earn an average of twice the state's typical yearly income.<ref name="oerb2008" /> In 2009, the state had 83,700 commercial oil wells churning {{convert|65.374|Moilbbl|m3}} of crude oil.<ref name="okcorpcommish">{{cite web|url=http://www.occeweb.com/og/2010og_report.pdf |publisher=Oklahoma Corporation Commission |title= 2009 Report on Oil and Natural Gas Activity within the State of Oklahoma |year=2009 |access-date=October 22, 2011}}</ref> A tabulated 8.5% of the nation's natural gas supply is held in Oklahoma, with {{convert|1.673|Tcuft|km3}} being produced in 2009.<ref name="okcorpcommish" />

The Oklahoma Stack Play is a geographic referenced area in the Anadarko Basin. The oil field "Sooner Trend", Anadarko basin and the counties of Kingfisher and Canadian make up the basis for the "Oklahoma STACK". Other Plays such as the Eagle Ford are geological rather than geographical.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shaleexperts.com/plays/stack-scoop/Overview?menu|title=STACK & SCOOP Overview—Maps—Geology—Counties|website=www.shaleexperts.com}}</ref>

All of the Fortune 500 companies based in Oklahoma are energy-related, including some of the largest companies in the [[petroleum industry]] in the U.S.<ref name="Fortune 500" /> Tulsa's [[ONEOK]] and the [[Williams Companies]] are the state's largest and second-largest companies respectively, also ranking as the nation's second- and third-largest companies in the field of energy, according to [[Fortune (magazine)|''Fortune'' magazine]].<ref name="Devon">{{cite news |year=2007 |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/snapshots/1866.html| title= Three Fortune's Snapshot: Devon energy| publisher=CNN| access-date=August 1, 2007}}</ref>

Oklahoma Gas & Electric, commonly referred to as OG&E (NYSE: OGE) operates four base electric power plants in Oklahoma. Two of them are coal-fired power plants: one in [[Muskogee, Oklahoma|Muskogee]], and the other in [[Red Rock, Oklahoma|Red Rock]]. Two are gas-fired power plants: one in [[Harrah, Oklahoma|Harrah]] and the other in [[Konawa, Oklahoma|Konawa]]. OG&E was the first electric company in Oklahoma to generate electricity from wind farms in 2003.<ref name="OG&E Energy">{{cite web| date=2012| url=http://www.oge.com/about/History/Pages/home.aspx| title=OG&E Energy, A History of Positive Energy| publisher=OG&E Energy| access-date=December 15, 2013| archive-date=December 16, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216014020/http://www.oge.com/about/History/Pages/home.aspx| url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Nuclear power ====
Oklahoma had no operational nuclear power plants as of March 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma |url=https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/region-state/oklahoma.html |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=NRC Web |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1973, the [[Public Service Company of Oklahoma]] proposed the [[Black Fox Nuclear Power Plant]] near [[Inola, Oklahoma]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nuclear Power {{!}} The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture |url=https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=NU001 |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=Oklahoma Historical Society {{!}} OHS}}</ref> Protestors disrupted project construction in 1979, several months after the [[Three Mile Island accident]], and the project was cancelled in 1982 after nine years of legal challenges.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-03-13 |title=Recent oil shock resurges interest in Oklahoma nuclear plant {{!}} OKG Scene.com |url=http://www.okgazette.com/p/12776/a/3540/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=LwBEAGUAZgBhAHUAbAB0AC4AYQBzAHAAeAAslashAHAAPQAxADIANwAyADkA |access-date=2023-03-14 |archive-date=March 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313005202/http://www.okgazette.com/p/12776/a/3540/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=LwBEAGUAZgBhAHUAbAB0AC4AYQBzAHAAeAAslashAHAAPQAxADIANwAyADkA |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oklahomans prevent completion of Black Fox Nuclear Plant, 1973-1982 {{!}} Global Nonviolent Action Database |url=https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/oklahomans-prevent-completion-black-fox-nuclear-plant-1973-1982 |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu}}</ref>

====Wind generation====
{{main|Wind power in Oklahoma}}

===Agriculture===

The 27th-most agriculturally productive state, Oklahoma is fifth in cattle production and fifth in production of wheat.<ref name="agriculture" /><ref name="ag">{{cite web |url=http://www.state.ok.us/~okag/ |title=A Welcome From The Commissioner |publisher=Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry |access-date=August 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070530220430/http://www.state.ok.us/~okag/ |archive-date=May 30, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Approximately 5.5 percent of American beef comes from Oklahoma, while the state produces 6.1 percent of American wheat, 4.2 percent of American pig products, and 2.2 percent of dairy products.<ref name="agriculture" />

The state had 85,500 farms in 2012, collectively producing $4.3 billion in animal products and fewer than one billion dollars in crop output with more than $6.1 billion added to the state's gross domestic product.<ref name="agriculture" /> Poultry and swine are its second- and third-largest agricultural industries.<ref name="ag" />

==Education==

{{See also|List of school districts in Oklahoma|List of high schools in Oklahoma|List of colleges and universities in Oklahoma}}
[[File:Seminary Hall.jpg|thumb|Oklahoma's system of public regional universities includes [[Northeastern State University]] in [[Tahlequah, Oklahoma|Tahlequah]].]]
[[File:University of Oklahoma July 2019 69 (Bizzell Memorial Library).jpg|thumb|[[Bizzell Memorial Library]], the heart of the [[University of Oklahoma]] in [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]]]]

With an educational system made up of [[State school|public school]] districts and independent [[private school|private institutions]], Oklahoma had 638,817 students enrolled in 1,845 public primary, secondary, and [[vocational education|vocational]] schools in 533 [[school districts]] {{as of|2008|lc=on}}.<ref name="OK Education">{{cite web |title=2008–09 Facts: Oklahoma Public Schools |publisher=Oklahoma State Department of Education |year=2010 |url=http://sde.state.ok.us/Services/Data/pdf/StatCard08-09.pdf |access-date=January 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928231700/http://sde.state.ok.us/Services/Data/pdf/StatCard08-09.pdf |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Oklahoma has the highest enrollment of Native American students in the nation with 126,078 students in the 2009–10 school year.<ref name="NCES">{{cite web |url=http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2011/2011347.pdf |publisher=IES, National Center for Education Statistics |title=Public Elementary and Secondary School Student Enrollment, High School Completions and Staff from the Common Core of Data, School Year 2009–10| page=11|access-date=January 22, 2012}}</ref> Oklahoma spent $7,755 for each student in 2008, and was 47th in the nation in expenditures per student,<ref name="OK Education" /> though its growth of total education expenditures between 1992 and 2002 ranked 22nd.<ref>{{cite web | title =Growth in Oklahoma's State Governments 1992–2002 | publisher=University of Central Oklahoma | date = February 1, 2006 | url = http://www.busn.ucok.edu/ucopi/docs/govgrowth1992-2002.pdf | access-date = August 3, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070808074216/http://www.busn.ucok.edu/ucopi/docs/govgrowth1992-2002.pdf |archive-date = August 8, 2007}}</ref>

The state is among the best in [[pre-kindergarten]] education, and the National Institute for Early Education Research rated it first in the United States with regard to standards, quality, and access to pre-kindergarten education in 2004, calling it "a model for [[early childhood education|early childhood schooling]]".<ref>{{cite web | title = Superintendent Garrett announces Oklahoma No. 1 in Pre-Kindergarten | publisher = Oklahoma State Department of Education | date = November 19, 2004 | url = http://www.sde.state.ok.us/pro/prek/default.html | access-date = August 3, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070629100813/http://www.sde.state.ok.us/pro/prek/default.html | archive-date = June 29, 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref> High school dropout rate decreased from 3.1 to 2.5 percent between 2007 and 2008 with Oklahoma ranked among 18 other states with 3 percent or less dropout rate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2012/2012006.pdf|publisher=IES, National Center for Education Statistics |title=Trends in High School Dropout and Completion Rates in the United States: 1972–2009 |pages=7–8, 37| access-date=January 22, 2012}}</ref> In 2004, the state ranked 36th in the nation for the relative number of adults with [[high school diploma]]s, though at 85.2 percent, it had the highest rate among Southern states.<ref>{{cite web | title = High school diploma or higher, by percentage by state | publisher = Statemaster.com | year = 2004 | url = http://www.statemaster.com/graph/edu_hig_sch_dip_or_hig_by_per-high-school-diploma-higher-percentage | access-date = August 20, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927223755/http://www.statemaster.com/graph/edu_hig_sch_dip_or_hig_by_per-high-school-diploma-higher-percentage | archive-date = September 27, 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Missouri and the Nation |publisher=[[University of Missouri]] |date=February 9, 2007 |url=http://www.oseda.missouri.edu/mo_nation/no_highschool_grad_1990_2000.shtml |access-date=August 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012160129/http://oseda.missouri.edu/mo_nation/no_highschool_grad_1990_2000.shtml |archive-date=October 12, 2007 }}</ref> According to a study conducted by the Pell Institute, Oklahoma ranks 48th in college-participation for low-income students.<ref>{{cite news|title=College study should concern Oklahoma policymakers|url=https://newsok.com/article/5595964/college-study-should-concern-oklahoma-policymakers|access-date=May 30, 2018|newspaper=The Oklahoman}}</ref>

The [[University of Oklahoma]], [[The University of Tulsa]], [[Oklahoma State University]], the [[University of Central Oklahoma]], and [[Northeastern State University]] are the largest institutions of higher education in Oklahoma, each operating through one primary campus and satellite campuses throughout the state. The two state universities, along with [[Oklahoma City University]] and the [[University of Tulsa]], rank among the country's best universities.<ref>{{cite web| title = America's Best Colleges—2007| publisher = Oklahoma Education Information System| year = 2007| url = http://www.okhighered.org/oeis/News.shtml| access-date = August 3, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928073528/http://www.okhighered.org/oeis/News.shtml| archive-date = September 28, 2007| url-status = dead}}</ref>

[[Oklahoma City University School of Law]], [[University of Oklahoma College of Law]], and [[University of Tulsa College of Law]] are the state's only ABA-accredited institutions. Both University of Oklahoma and University of Tulsa are Tier{{nbsp}}2 institutions, with the University of Oklahoma ranked 55th and the University of Tulsa ranked 120th in the nation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Best Law Schools |publisher=U.S. News |year=2024 |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/law-rankings |access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref>

Oklahoma holds eleven public regional universities,<ref>{{cite web| title = Student Center Financial Aid| publisher = Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education| year = 2008| url = http://www.okhighered.org/student-center/financial-aid/rubs.shtml| access-date = April 6, 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080323062821/http://www.okhighered.org/student-center/financial-aid/rubs.shtml| archive-date = March 23, 2008| url-status = dead}}</ref> including [[Northeastern State University]], the second-oldest institution of higher education west of the [[Mississippi River]],<ref name="NSU demographics" /> also containing the only College of [[Optometry]] in Oklahoma<ref>{{cite web| title =Rare Eye Condition Takes Center Stage at NSUOCO| publisher =Northeastern State University| year =2008| url =http://www.nsuba.edu/news/story.php?1960| access-date =April 6, 2008| archive-date =September 13, 2019| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20190913024841/https://www.nsuok.edu/| url-status =dead}}</ref> and the largest enrollment of [[Indigenous peoples of the United States|Native American]] students in the nation by percentage and amount.<ref name="NSU demographics">{{cite web|title=NSU Demographics |publisher=Northeastern State University |year=2006 |url=http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~research/formsguide/NSU%20DEMOGRAPHICS%202005-2006.pdf |access-date=February 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201151858/http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~research/formsguide/NSU%20DEMOGRAPHICS%202005-2006.pdf |archive-date=December 1, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=INBRE Participants |publisher=Oklahoma Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence |url=http://okinbre.org/participating%20institutions.htm |access-date=April 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410193841/http://okinbre.org/participating%20institutions.htm |archive-date=April 10, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Langston University]] is Oklahoma's only historically black college. Six of the state's universities were placed in the [[Princeton Review]]'s list of best 122 regional colleges in 2007,<ref>{{cite web |title=OBU Named to The Princeton Review "Best in the West" list |publisher=[[Oklahoma Baptist University]] |date=August 26, 2005 |url=http://www.okbu.edu/news/view_article.php?id=482 |access-date=August 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808024101/http://www.okbu.edu/news/view_article.php?id=482 |archive-date=August 8, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and three made the list of top colleges for best value. The state has 55 post-secondary technical institutions operated by [[Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education|Oklahoma's CareerTech program]] for training in specific fields of industry or trade.<ref name="OK Education" />

In the 2007–2008 school year, there were 181,973 undergraduate students, 20,014 graduate students, and 4,395 first-professional degree students enrolled in Oklahoma colleges. Of these students, 18,892 received a bachelor's degree, 5,386 received a master's degree, and 462 received a first professional degree. This means the state of Oklahoma produces an average of 38,278-degree-holders per completions component (i.e. July 1, 2007{{Snd}}June 30, 2008). National average is 68,322 total degrees awarded per completions component.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegedegreereport.com/articles/oklahoma-colleges-profile-college-degree-programs-post-secondary-education-oklahoma|title=Oklahoma Colleges: A Profile of College Degree Programs & Post-Secondary Education in Oklahoma|access-date=March 18, 2010|archive-date=March 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310111128/http://www.collegedegreereport.com/articles/oklahoma-colleges-profile-college-degree-programs-post-secondary-education-oklahoma|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Beginning on April 2, 2018, tens of thousands of K–12 public school teachers [[2018 Oklahoma teachers' strike|went on strike]] due to lack of funding. According to the National Education Association, teachers in Oklahoma had ranked 49th out of the 50 states in terms of teacher pay in 2016. The Oklahoma Legislature had passed a measure a week earlier to raise teacher salaries by $6,100, but it fell short of the $10,000 raise for teachers, $5,000 raise for other school employees, and $200 million increase in extra education funding many had sought.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fed up with school spending cuts, Oklahoma teachers walk out|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2018/04/02/fed-up-with-school-spending-cuts-oklahoma-teachers-prepare-to-walk-out/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 2, 2018|access-date=April 2, 2018}}</ref> A survey in 2019 found that the pay raise obtained by the strike lifted the State's teacher pay ranking to 34th in the nation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Eger |first=Andrea |date=April 29, 2019 | url=https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/teacher-pay-raise-boosts-oklahoma-to-th-in-nation-new/article_b06ad560-40ed-5ccf-9517-036e9dbddbb4.html | title= Teacher pay raise boosts Oklahoma to 34th in nation, new rankings find |work=[[Tulsa World]] | access-date=April 29, 2019}}</ref>

===Cherokee Language education===
[[File:Cherokeeclass.png|thumb|Writing in [[Cherokee syllabary|Cherokee]]]]

The [[Cherokee Nation]] implemented a ten-year plan in 2005 that involved growing new speakers of the [[Cherokee language]] from childhood as well as speaking it exclusively at home.<ref>{{cite web| title = Native Now: Language: Cherokee| website = We Shall Remain—American Experience—PBS| access-date = April 9, 2014| year = 2008| url = https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/native_now/language_cherokee| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140407132754/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/native_now/language_cherokee| archive-date = April 7, 2014| df = mdy-all}}</ref> The plan was part of an ambitious goal that in fifty years would have at least 80% of their people fluent.<ref name="preservation" /> The [[Cherokee Preservation Foundation]] has invested $3 million into opening schools, training teachers, and developing curricula for language education, as well as initiating community gatherings where the language can be actively used.<ref name="preservation">{{cite web|title=Cherokee Language Revitalization |website=Cherokee Preservation Foundation |access-date=April 9, 2014 |year=2014 |url=http://www.cherokeepreservationfdn.org/cultural-preservation-connect/major-programs-and-initiatives/cherokee-language-revitalization |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407070520/http://www.cherokeepreservationfdn.org/cultural-preservation-connect/major-programs-and-initiatives/cherokee-language-revitalization |archive-date=April 7, 2014 }}</ref> A Cherokee language immersion school in [[Tahlequah, Oklahoma]] educates students from pre-school through eighth grade.<ref>{{Cite news| last = Chavez, Will| title = Immersion students win trophies at language fair| work = Cherokeephoenix.org| access-date = April 8, 2013| date = April 5, 2012| url = http://www.cherokeephoenix.org/Article/Index/6142}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Pioneer Woman Statue.jpg|thumb|right|The ''[[Pioneer Woman]]'' statue in [[Ponca City, Oklahoma|Ponca City]], by [[Bryant Baker]] (1930).]]
Oklahoma is placed in the South by the [[United States Census Bureau]],<ref name="regdiv">{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/maps-data/maps/reference/us_regdiv.pdf |title=Census Regions and Divisions of the United States |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=July 2, 2016}}</ref> but other definitions place the state at least partly in the [[Southwestern United States|Southwest]], [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]],<ref>{{cite web| first=Allen| last=Lew| url=http://www.geog.nau.edu/courses/alew/ggr346/text/chapters/ch1.html| title=What is geography?| publisher=[[Northern Arizona University]]| access-date=August 4, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510041836/http://www.geog.nau.edu/courses/alew/ggr346/text/chapters/ch1.html <!--Added by H3llBot-->| archive-date=May 10, 2007| url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Upland South]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Jordan-Bychkov |first=Terry G. |date=2003 |title=The Upland South: The Making of an American Folk Region and Landscape |publisher=University Press of Virginia |isbn=978-1-930066-08-3}}</ref> and [[Great Plains]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Great-Plains| title=Great Plains |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=February 24, 2020}}</ref> Oklahomans have a high rate of [[English Americans|English]], [[Scotch-Irish Americans|Scotch-Irish]], [[German Americans|German]], and [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] ancestry,<ref>{{cite web |first=Wayne |last=Greene |url=http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/pics/geo200/culture/ancestry.gif |title=Largest Ancestry |publisher=[[Valparaiso University]] |access-date=August 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305214454/http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/pics/geo200/culture/ancestry.gif |archive-date=March 5, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with 25 different Indigenous languages spoken in the state.<ref name="languages">{{cite web |first=Stephen |last=Greymorning |url=http://www.sedl.org/pubs/lc05/intro.html |title=Profiles of Native American Education Programs |publisher=Southwest Educational Development Laboratory |access-date=August 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910075959/http://www.sedl.org/pubs/lc05/intro.html |archive-date=September 10, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Because many American Indians were forced to move to [[Indian Territory|Indian territory]] (modern day Oklahoma) when [[American pioneer|American settlement]] within  North America had increased, Oklahoma has much linguistic diversity. Mary Linn, an associate professor of anthropology at the [[University of Oklahoma]] and the associate curator of Native American languages at the [[Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History|Sam Noble Museum]], notes Oklahoma also has high levels of language endangerment.<ref>Smith, Diane. "[http://indiancountrynews.com/index.php/news/76-culture/native-language/11831-universities-partner-to-save-dying-languages Universities partner to save dying languages]" ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201161321/http://indiancountrynews.com/index.php/news/76-culture/native-language/11831-universities-partner-to-save-dying-languages |date=February 1, 2016 }}). [[Associated Press]]. June 2011. Retrieved on October 23, 2015.</ref>

Sixty-seven Native American tribes and bands are represented in Oklahoma,<ref name="OK History" /> including 38 [[federally recognized tribes]],<ref name="JusticeIC" /> who are headquartered and have [[Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Area|tribal jurisdictional areas]] or [[Indian reservations]] in the state.<ref>{{cite web| year=2007| url=http://www.travelok.com/about/fun_facts.asp| title=Oklahoma Quick Facts| publisher=Oklahoma Department of Tourism| access-date=August 4, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517085232/http://www.travelok.com/about/fun_facts.asp| archive-date=May 17, 2007| df=mdy-all| url-status=dead}}</ref> Native American tribes, Western ranchers, Southern settlers, and Eastern oil barons have shaped the state's cultural predisposition, and its largest cities have been named among the most underrated cultural destinations in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|year=2007 |url=http://www.fodors.com/features/nfdisplay1.cfm?.name=si/020228_si_fc_tulsa.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070405151813/http://www.fodors.com/features/nfdisplay1.cfm?name=si%2F020228_si_fc_tulsa.cfm |archive-date=April 5, 2007 |title=Fodor's Choice: Top Overlooked Destinations |website=Fodor's Magazine |access-date=August 2, 2007 }}</ref>

Residents of Oklahoma are associated with traits of [[Southern hospitality]]—the 2006 Catalogue for Philanthropy (with data from 2004) ranks Oklahomans 7th in the nation for overall generosity.<ref>{{cite web|year=2006|url=http://www.catalogueforphilanthropy.org/natl/generosity_index/2006/data/Oklahoma.xls|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104150515/http://www.catalogueforphilanthropy.org/natl/generosity_index/2006/data/Oklahoma.xls|archive-date=November 4, 2014|title=Generosity Index 2006 (2004 data)|publisher=Catalogue for Philanthropy|access-date=November 4, 2014}}</ref> The state has also been associated with a negative cultural [[stereotype]] first popularized by [[John Steinbeck]]'s 1939 novel ''[[The Grapes of Wrath]]'', which described the plight of uneducated, poverty-stricken Dust Bowl-era farmers deemed "[[Okie]]s".<ref name="okies">{{cite web| url=http://www.csus.edu/news/022503film.htm| title=Filmmaker to share documentary chronicling local poet's life| publisher=[[Sacramento State University]]| date=February 25, 2003| access-date=April 4, 2008| archive-date=September 18, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918161023/http://www.csus.edu/news/022503film.htm| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Wayne |last=Greene |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/oklahoma-centennial-quiz/article_b53204a9-ea61-5abe-a60f-690ff756867c.html|date=July 15, 2007 |title=Oklahoma centennial quiz |newspaper=[[Tulsa World]] |access-date=July 2, 2016}}</ref> While the term is often used in a positive manner by Oklahomans,<ref name="okies" /> it is still considered a derogatory term by many.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Logsdon |first1=Guy |title=OKIE |url=https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=OK007 |website=Oklahoma Historical Society |access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref>

===Arts===

{{Further|List of Native American artists from Oklahoma}}
[[File:Philbrook.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|[[Philbrook Museum of Art]], one of the nation's top fifty<ref name="philbrook" />]]

In the state's largest urban areas, pockets of [[jazz]] culture flourish,<ref name="ok arts" /> and [[African Americans|African American]], [[Mexican Americans|Mexican American]], and [[Asian Americans|Asian American]] communities produce music and art of their respective cultures.<ref>{{cite web|year=2007 |url=http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=335&Itemid=415 |title=Oklahoma's Diversity |publisher=Oklahoma Department of Commerce |access-date=August 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627063022/http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=335&Itemid=415 |archive-date=June 27, 2007 }}</ref> The Oklahoma Mozart Festival in [[Bartlesville]] is one of the largest classical music festivals on the Southern Plains,<ref>{{cite web | year= 2007 | url= http://www.okmozart.com/folders.asp?action=display&record=11 | title= Oklahoma Mozart Festival | publisher= OK Mozart Festival | access-date= August 4, 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070928104541/http://www.okmozart.com/folders.asp?action=display&record=11 | archive-date= September 28, 2007 | url-status= dead }}</ref> and Oklahoma City's Festival of the Arts has been named one of the top fine arts festivals in the nation.<ref name="ok arts" />

The state has a rich history in ballet with five Native American ballerinas attaining worldwide fame. These were [[Yvonne Chouteau]], sisters [[Marjorie Tallchief|Marjorie]] and [[Maria Tallchief]], [[Rosella Hightower]] and [[Moscelyne Larkin]], known collectively as the [[Five Moons]]. ''[[The New York Times]]'' rates the [[Tulsa Ballet]] as one of the top ballet companies in the United States.<ref name="ok arts" /> The [[Oklahoma City Ballet]] and University of Oklahoma's dance program were formed by ballerina Yvonne Chouteau and husband [[Miguel Terekhov]]. The university program was founded in 1962 and was the first fully accredited program of its kind in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | title =Ballet Russes| publisher=Geller/Goldfine Productions|year = 2009 | url = http://www.gellergoldfine.com/russes_dancers.html| access-date = February 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title =Capri Films| publisher=Geller/Goldfine Productions|year = 2008 | url = http://www.caprifilms.com/images/press/ballet/ballets_russes_presskit.pdf| access-date = June 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624204404/http://www.caprifilms.com/images/press/ballet/ballets_russes_presskit.pdf|archive-date=June 24, 2008}}</ref>

In [[Sand Springs, Oklahoma|Sand Springs]], an outdoor amphitheater called "Discoveryland!" (since closed) is the official performance headquarters for the musical ''[[Oklahoma!]]''<ref>{{cite web | url= http://discoverylandusa.com/awards.shtml| title= Honors and Awards| publisher=Discoveryland!| access-date=April 26, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070405010705/http://www.discoverylandusa.com/awards.shtml <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date = April 5, 2007}}</ref> [[Ridge Bond]], native of [[McAlester, Oklahoma]],<ref name="tulsaworld.com">{{cite news|author=World's own Service |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/ridge-bond-oklahoman/article_e2ff45ae-ca37-5202-af63-bb100aac9507.html |title=Ridge Bond, Oklahoman—Tulsa World: Archives |newspaper=Tulsa World |access-date=June 3, 2016}}</ref> starred in the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] and International touring productions of ''Oklahoma!'',<ref name="digital.library.okstate.edu">{{cite web |url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/oktoday/1990s/1998/oktdv48n2.pdf |title=Oklahoma Today February–March 1998 Volume 48 No. 2: 1997 Year in Review |website=Digital.library.okstate.edu |access-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050115/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/oktoday/1990s/1998/oktdv48n2.pdf |archive-date=August 8, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rnh.com/show/78/Oklahoma#shows-trivia |title=Oklahoma!: Rodgers & Hammerstein: Show Details |website=Rnh.com |access-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616184805/http://www.rnh.com/show/78/Oklahoma#shows-trivia |archive-date=June 16, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ridgebond.com/wp-content/uploads/Titania-Palast-Berliner1Festwochen-Program-1951.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image: Berliner Festwochen: Oklahoma! |website=Ridgebond.com |access-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-date=May 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505070649/http://www.ridgebond.com/wp-content/uploads/Titania-Palast-Berliner1Festwochen-Program-1951.jpg |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ridgebond.com/image-gallery/#jp-carousel-288 |title=Ridge Bond Archives—Images |website=Ridgebond.com |date=September 21, 1951 |access-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-date=March 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322222812/http://www.ridgebond.com/image-gallery/#jp-carousel-288 |url-status=dead }}</ref> playing the role of "Curly McClain" in more than 2,600 performances.<ref name="digital.library.okstate.edu" /><ref name="okhistory.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.okhistory.org/about/transcript.php?episodedate=March |title=OHS Podcasts |website=Okhistory.org |date=March 24, 2012 |access-date=June 3, 2016 }}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 1953 he was featured along with the ''[[Oklahoma!]]'' cast on a [[CBS]] [[Omnibus (U.S. TV series)|Omnibus]] television broadcast.<ref name="okhistory.org" /> Bond was instrumental in the [[Oklahoma (Rodgers and Hammerstein song)|Oklahoma! title song]] becoming the Oklahoma state song<ref name="tulsaworld.com" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://issuu.com/okheritage/docs/december_2013/38 |title=December 2013 Oklahoma: Magazine of the Oklahoma Heritage Association by Oklahoma Hall of Fame |publisher=Issuu |access-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314205454/https://issuu.com/okheritage/docs/december_2013/38 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and is also featured on the U.S. [[postage stamp]] commemorating the musical's 50th anniversary.<ref name="digital.library.okstate.edu" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsok.com/musical-actor-to-be-honored-with-hall-of-fame-award/article/2447341 |title=Musical Actor to Be Honored With Hall of Fame Award |publisher=News OK |date=November 7, 1993 |access-date=June 3, 2016}}</ref>

Historically, Oklahoma has produced musical styles such as [[The Tulsa Sound]] and [[western swing]], which was popularized at [[Cain's Ballroom]] in Tulsa. The building, known as the "Carnegie Hall of Western Swing",<ref>{{cite news|date=March 25, 2007 |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/cain-s-ballroom-a-music-icon-venue-is-a-landmark/article_0396d765-d322-51d6-9711-4cdbc2711e03.html |title=Cain's Ballroom—A Music Icon: Venue is a landmark for Western swing, punk fans |first=Matt |last=Elliott |newspaper=[[Tulsa World]] |access-date=July 2, 2016}}</ref> served as the performance headquarters of [[Bob Wills]] and the [[Texas Playboys]] during the 1930s.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 15, 2006 |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?articleID=060715_Bu_E1_Tulsa51913 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927002801/http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?articleID=060715_Bu_E1_Tulsa51913 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |title=Selling Tulsa: Branded |first=John |last=Stancavage |work=[[Tulsa World]] |access-date=August 4, 2007 }}</ref> Stillwater is known as the epicenter of [[Red Dirt (music)|Red Dirt]] music, the best-known proponent of which is the late [[Bob Childers]].

Prominent theatre companies in Oklahoma include, in the capital city, [[Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma]], Oklahoma City Theatre Company, Carpenter Square Theatre, [[Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park]], and CityRep. CityRep is a professional company affording equity points to those performers and technical theatre professionals. In Tulsa, Oklahoma's oldest resident professional company is American Theatre Company, and [[Theatre Tulsa]] is the oldest [[community theatre]] company west of the Mississippi. Other companies in Tulsa include [[Heller Theatre]] and Tulsa Spotlight Theater. The cities of Norman, Lawton, and Stillwater, among others, also host well-reviewed community theatre companies.

Oklahoma is in the nation's middle percentile in per capita spending on the arts, ranking 17th, and contains more than 300 museums.<ref name="ok arts">{{cite web|year=2007 |url=http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=332&Itemid=413 |title=Oklahoma—A Great Place to Play |publisher=Oklahoma Department of Commerce |access-date=August 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627065030/http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=332&Itemid=413 |archive-date=June 27, 2007 }}</ref> The [[Philbrook Museum]] of Tulsa is considered one of the top 50 [[fine art]] museums in the United States,<ref name="philbrook">{{cite web | url= http://ase.tufts.edu/arted/MuseumsOklahoma.htm| title= Museums of Oklahoma| publisher=Tufts University | access-date=August 5, 2007}}</ref> and the [[Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History]] in Norman, one of the largest university-based art and history museums in the country, documents the natural history of the region.<ref name="ok arts" /> The collections of [[Thomas Gilcrease]] are housed in the [[Gilcrease Museum]] of Tulsa, which also holds the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts of the American West.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.travelok.com/atv/urban.asp | title= The All-Terrain Vacation | publisher= Travelok.com | access-date= August 4, 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060410174845/http://www.travelok.com/atv/urban.asp | archive-date= April 10, 2006 | df= mdy-all | url-status= dead }}</ref>

The Egyptian art collection at the [[Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art]] in Shawnee is considered to be the finest Egyptian collection between [[Chicago]] and Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.4717 | title= Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, Travel OK| publisher=Travelok.com | access-date=November 22, 2011}}</ref> The [[Oklahoma City Museum of Art]] contains the most comprehensive collection of glass sculptures by artist [[Dale Chihuly]] in the world,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.okcmoa.com/p/6811/Default.aspx| title=About the Museum| publisher=Oklahoma City Museum of Art| access-date=August 4, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809185510/http://www.okcmoa.com/p/6811/Default.aspx| archive-date=August 9, 2007| url-status=dead}}</ref> and Oklahoma City's [[National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum]] documents the heritage of the American Western frontier.<ref name="ok arts" /> With remnants of the [[The Holocaust|Holocaust]] and artifacts relevant to Judaism, the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art of Tulsa preserves the largest collection of Jewish art in the Southwest United States.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.jewishmuseum.net/ | title= Sherwin Miller Museum of Judaism | publisher= Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art | access-date= April 20, 2006 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100226183123/http://www.jewishmuseum.net/ | archive-date= February 26, 2010 | df= mdy-all }}</ref>

===Festivals and events===
[[File:Oklahoma Renaissance Festival 2017 (36083692782).jpg|thumb|Oklahoma [[Renaissance]] Festival, 2017]]
[[File:Oklahoma Regatta Festival.jpg|thumb|Oklahoma [[Regatta]] Festival on the [[North Canadian River]], 2012 ]]
Oklahoma's centennial celebration was named the top event in the United States for 2007 by the [[American Bus Association]],<ref>{{cite news|date=September 7, 2006 |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/and-state-s-centennial-is-named-top-ranked-bus-tour/image_d3a9813a-9b4a-50bb-9f70-19913d4810c0.html |title=100 and 1: State's centennial is named top-ranked bus-tour destination |first=Robert S.|last=Cross|newspaper=[[Tulsa World]] |access-date=July 2, 2016}}</ref> and consisted of multiple celebrations saving with the 100th anniversary of [[U.S. state|statehood]] on November 16, 2007. Annual ethnic festivals and events take place throughout the state such as ceremonial events, include festivals (as examples) in [[Scottish Americans|Scottish]], [[Irish Americans|Irish]], [[German Americans|German]], [[Italian Americans|Italian]], [[Vietnamese Americans|Vietnamese]], [[Chinese Americans|Chinese]], [[Czech Americans|Czech]], [[American Jews|Jewish]], [[Arab Americans|Arab]], [[Mexican Americans|Mexican]] and African-American communities depicting cultural heritage or traditions.

Oklahoma City is home to a few reoccurring events and festivals. During a ten-day run in Oklahoma City, the [[Oklahoma State Fair|State Fair of Oklahoma]] attracts roughly one million people<ref>{{cite news |date=September 11, 2006 |url=http://www.okstatefair.com/documents/2006%20OSF%20Opens.pdf |title=Oklahoma State Fair Opens September 14 |publisher=Oklahoma State Fair |access-date=August 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629222126/http://www.okstatefair.com/documents/2006%20OSF%20Opens.pdf |archive-date=June 29, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> along with the annual Festival of the Arts. Such as various Latin American and [[Culture of Asia|Asian]] heritage festivals, and cultural festivals such as the [[Juneteenth]] celebrations are held in Oklahoma City each year. The Oklahoma City [[Pride Parade]] has been held annually in late June since 1987 in the gay district of Oklahoma City on [[NW 39th Street Enclave|39th and Penn]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.oklahomacitypride.org/about | title=Our Story Continues | publisher=Oklahoma City Pride | access-date=September 4, 2019 | archive-date=September 4, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904071030/https://www.oklahomacitypride.org/about }}</ref> The First Friday Art Walk in the [[Paseo Arts District]] is an art appreciation festival held the first Friday of every month.<ref>{{cite web | title=First Friday | url=https://www.thepaseo.org/paseo-first-friday-gallery-walk | publisher=Paseo Arts Association | access-date=September 4, 2019}}</ref> Additionally, an annual art festival is held in the Paseo on Memorial Day Weekend.<ref>{{cite web| title=43rd Annual Paseo Arts Festival | publisher=Paseo Arts Association| access-date=September 4, 2019 | url=https://www.thepaseo.org/festival | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528231951/https://www.thepaseo.org/festival | archive-date=May 28, 2019 }}</ref>

The [[Tulsa State Fair]] attracts more than a million people each year during its ten-day run,<ref>{{cite web | year=2007 | url=http://www.tulsastatefair.com/fair/generalinfo/index.asp | title=Tulsa State Fair—General Information | publisher=Tulsa State Fair | access-date=August 25, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828181706/http://www.tulsastatefair.com/fair/generalinfo/index.asp | archive-date=August 28, 2007 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and the city's Mayfest festival entertained more than 375,000 in four days during 2007.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 21, 2007 |first=Leigh |last=Bell |title=Mayfest: Celebrating Downtown: Festival closes after big year |newspaper=Tulsa World |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-163684756.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910080548/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-163684756.html |archive-date=September 10, 2016 |access-date=May 21, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2006, Tulsa's [[Oktoberfest]] was named one of the top 10 in the world by ''[[USA Today]]''.

Norman plays host to the [[Norman Music Festival]], a festival that highlights native Oklahoma bands and musicians. Norman is also host to the Medieval Fair of Norman, which has been held annually since 1976 and was Oklahoma's first medieval fair. The Fair was held first on the south oval of the University of Oklahoma campus and in the third year moved to the Duck Pond in Norman until the Fair became too big and moved to Reaves Park in 2003. The Medieval Fair of Norman is Oklahoma's "largest weekend event and the third-largest event in Oklahoma, and was selected by Events Media Network as one of the top 100 events in the nation".<ref>{{cite web | year=2010 | url=http://www.medievalfair.org/index.html | title=Medieval Fair of Norman | publisher=Medieval Fair of Norman | access-date=February 14, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727075023/http://www.medievalfair.org/index.html | archive-date=July 27, 2011 | df=mdy-all | url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{Further|Vacant Era Film Festival}}

===Sports===
The [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) is the state's only [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|major league sports franchise]]. The state had a team in the [[Women's National Basketball Association]], the [[Tulsa Shock]], from 2010 through 2015, but the team relocated to [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Dallas–Fort Worth]] after that season<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-approves-tulsa-shock-relocation-dallas-fort-worth/ |title=WNBA Approves Relocation of Shock from Tulsa to Dallas–Fort Worth |publisher=Women's National Basketball Association |date=July 23, 2015 |access-date=November 9, 2015}}</ref> and became the [[Dallas Wings]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.wnba.com/news/wnbas-dallas-wings-introduced-in-dfw-metroplex/ |title=WNBA's Dallas Wings Introduced in DFW Metroplex |publisher=Women's National Basketball Association |date=November 2, 2015 |access-date=November 9, 2015}}</ref>

Oklahoma has teams in several minor leagues, including [[Minor League Baseball]] at the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] and [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] levels (the [[Oklahoma City Comets]] and [[Tulsa Drillers]], respectively), hockey's [[ECHL]] with the [[Tulsa Oilers]], and a number of indoor football leagues. In the last-named sport, the state's most notable team was the [[Tulsa Talons]], which played in the [[Arena Football League]] until 2012, when the team was moved to [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]]. The [[Oklahoma Defenders]] replaced the Talons as Tulsa's only professional arena football team, playing the [[CPIFL]]. The [[Oklahoma City Blue]], of the [[NBA G League]], relocated to Oklahoma City from Tulsa in 2014, where they were formerly known as the Tulsa 66ers. Tulsa is the base for the [[Tulsa Revolution]], which plays in the [[American Indoor Soccer League]].<ref>{{cite news|date=July 29, 2007 |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/pro-soccer-soccer-comes-to-tulsa/article_0c080201-f674-5e71-ad9f-259cc015a519.html |title=Pro soccer: Soccer comes to Tulsa |first=Glenn |last=Hibdon |work=[[Tulsa World]] |access-date=August 5, 2007}}</ref> Enid and Lawton host professional basketball teams in the [[USBL]] and the [[Continental Basketball Association|CBA]].
[[File:OKC Thunder.JPG|thumb|The [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, becoming the state's first (and so far only) permanent major-league team in any sport.]]

[[College athletics in the United States|Collegiate athletics]] are a popular draw in the state. The state has four schools that compete at the highest level of college sports, [[NCAA Division I]]. The [[Oklahoma Sooners]] participate in the [[Southeastern Conference]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.secsports.com/history|title=History-Southeastern Conference|publisher=Southeastern Conference|date=July 1, 2024|access-date=July 2, 2024}}</ref> and the [[Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls]] participate in the [[Big 12 Conference]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1514841&DB_OEM_ID=10410&DB_OEM_ID=10410 |title=Big 12 Conference—One True Champion |date=June 26, 2013 |publisher=Big 12 Conference |access-date=November 9, 2015}}</ref> The Big 12 and SEC are two of the so-called [[Power Five conferences|Power Four conferences]] of the top tier of college football, [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|Division I FBS]]. The Sooners and Cowboys average well over 50,000 fans attending their football games, and Oklahoma's football program ranked 12th in attendance among American colleges in 2010, with an average of 84,738 people attending its home games.<ref>{{cite web| title = Attendance Records | publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association | url = http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Attendance.pdf| year=2011 | access-date = October 20, 2011}}</ref> The two universities meet several times each year in rivalry matches known as the [[Bedlam Series]], which are some of the greatest sporting draws to the state. ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' magazine rates Oklahoma and Oklahoma State among the top colleges for athletics in the nation.<ref name="top sports">{{cite magazine| date=October 7, 2002|title = America's Best Sports Colleges: 1–10|magazine=Sports Illustrated| url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_online/news/2002/10/01/1_10/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20021019031054/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_online/news/2002/10/01/1_10/| url-status = dead| archive-date = October 19, 2002| access-date = August 5, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine| date=October 7, 2002|title = America's Best Sports Colleges: 11–100|magazine=Sports Illustrated| url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_online/news/2002/10/01/11_100/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20021016015130/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_online/news/2002/10/01/11_100/| url-status = dead| archive-date = October 16, 2002| access-date = August 5, 2007}}</ref>

Two private institutions in Tulsa, the [[Tulsa Golden Hurricane|University of Tulsa]] and [[Oral Roberts Golden Eagles|Oral Roberts University]]; are also Division I members. Tulsa competes in FBS football and other sports in the [[American Athletic Conference]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tulsahurricane.com/sports/2015/5/21/GEN_0521151506_AboutTU.aspx |title=About TU |publisher=[[Tulsa Golden Hurricane]] |access-date=November 9, 2015}}</ref> while Oral Roberts, which does not sponsor football,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://oruathletics.com/ |title=Home Page |publisher=[[Oral Roberts Golden Eagles]] |access-date=August 23, 2024}} Move the cursor over "Sports" on the menu to see a list of varsity sports; football is not listed.</ref> is a member of the [[Summit League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thesummitleague.org/sports/2020/5/26/Quick%20Facts.aspx |title=Summit League Quick Facts |publisher=The Summit League |access-date=August 23, 2024}}</ref> In addition, 12 of the state's smaller colleges and universities compete in [[NCAA Division II]] as members of three different conferences,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://greatamericanconference.com/ |title=Home Page |publisher=[[Great American Conference]] |access-date=August 23, 2024}} Move the cursor over "Member Institutions" on the menu to see a list of members; six members are from Oklahoma.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonestarconference.org/sports/2009/12/16/information_history_index.aspx? |title=Lone Star Conference History |publisher=[[Lone Star Conference]] |access-date=November 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themiaa.com/sports/2012/5/18/about.aspx?|title=About the MIAA |publisher=[[Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association]] |access-date=November 9, 2015}}</ref> and eight other Oklahoma institutions participate in the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]], mostly within the [[Sooner Athletic Conference]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=205322922 |title=NAIA Member Schools: Oklahoma |publisher=National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics |access-date=November 10, 2015}}</ref>

Regular [[LPGA]] tournaments are held at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa, and [[Men's major golf championships|major championships]] for the [[Professional Golfers' Association of America|PGA]] or LPGA have been played at [[Southern Hills Country Club]] in Tulsa, Oak Tree Country Club in Oklahoma City, and Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa.<ref>{{cite web| title = Oklahoma's Top 10 Private Golf Courses| publisher = Tulsaweb| url = http://www.tulsaweb.com/Golf/Private.htm| access-date = August 5, 2007| archive-date = August 6, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070806060137/http://tulsaweb.com/Golf/Private.htm| url-status = dead}}</ref> Rated one of the top golf courses in the nation, Southern Hills has hosted five [[PGA Championship]]s, including one in 2022, and three [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Opens]], the most recent in 2001.<ref>{{cite web | year=2007 | url=http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2007/news/20060228_history.html| title= Southern Hills Country Club is rich in History | publisher=[[Professional Golfers' Association of America|PGA]] | access-date=August 5, 2007}}</ref> [[Rodeo]]s are popular throughout the state, and [[Guymon, Oklahoma|Guymon]], in the state's panhandle, hosts one of the largest in the nation.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guymonrodeo.com/rodeohistory.htm | publisher=Guymon Rodeo Foundation | title=Rodeo History | access-date=May 2, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525105057/http://www.guymonrodeo.com/rodeohistory.htm | archive-date=May 25, 2007 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[ESPN]] called Oklahoma City "the center of the [[softball]] universe", specifically referring to the fast-pitch version, in a 2020 story. [[Oklahoma City]] is home to the governing body of the sport in the United States, [[USA Softball]], which has its headquarters in a complex that also includes [[Devon Park (stadium)|Devon Park]]. It annually hosts the [[Women's College World Series]], the eight-team final round of the [[NCAA Division I softball tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/29224143/how-oklahoma-city-home-women-college-world-series-became-center-softball-universe |title=How Oklahoma City, home of the Women's College World Series, became the center of the softball universe |first=Graham |last=Hays |website=ESPN.com |date=May 28, 2020 |access-date=May 28, 2020}}</ref> Devon Park will host softball at the [[2028 Summer Olympics]], and the Riversport OKC complex will host canoe slalom at the Games.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/2028-los-angeles-olympics-oklahoma-city-venues-softball-canoe-slalom/3442896/ |title=Why two 2028 Los Angeles Olympics events are moving to Oklahoma City |first=Jonathan |last=Lloyd |publisher=KNBC |date=June 24, 2024 |access-date=August 23, 2024}}</ref>

[[Collegiate wrestling|College wrestling]] has strong tradition in Oklahoma. [[Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestling|Oklahoma State]] has the most [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA]] national championships of any [[Collegiate wrestling|collegiate team]] with 34, with the Oklahoma Sooners having 7 NCAA wrestling titles. The [[National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]] is headquartered in [[Stillwater, Oklahoma|Stillwater]].<ref>[https://nwhof.org/news/exhibit-highlights-oklahomas-strong-wrestling-history-tradition Exhibit highlights Oklahoma's strong wrestling history, tradition]. ''nwhof.org''. Retrieved January 22, 2022.</ref>

A [[teqball]] competition was held in [[Tulsa]] June 14–16, 2024.<ref>[https://www.fiteq.org/news/754 "Major Teqball extravaganza descends upon Tulsa"], [[FITEQ]] (April 4, 2024)</ref>

====Current professional teams====

{| class="wikitable"
|+Basketball
|- "
! Team !! Type !! League !! Venue !! City !! Area (Metro/Region)
|-
| [[Oklahoma City Thunder]]
| [[Basketball|Men's Basketball]]
| [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]
| [[Paycom Center]]
| [[Oklahoma City]]
| [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area|OKC Metro]]
|-
| [[Oklahoma City Blue]]
| [[Basketball|Men's Basketball]]
| [[NBA G League]]
| [[Paycom Center]]
| [[Oklahoma City]]
| [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area|OKC Metro]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Baseball
|- "
! Team !! Type !! League !! Venue !! City !! Area (Metro/Region)
|-
| [[Oklahoma City Comets]]
| [[Baseball]]
| [[Pacific Coast League|PCL]] ([[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]])
| [[Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark]]
| [[Oklahoma City]]
| [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area|OKC Metro]]
|-
| [[Tulsa Drillers]]
| [[Baseball]]
| [[Texas League|TL]] ([[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]])
| [[ONEOK Field]]
| [[Tulsa]]
| [[Tulsa metropolitan area|Tulsa Metro]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Hockey
|- "
! Team !! Type !! League !! Venue !! City !! Area (Metro/Region)
|-
| [[Tulsa Oilers]]
| [[Ice hockey|Hockey]]
| [[ECHL]]
| [[BOK Center]]
| [[Tulsa]]
| [[Tulsa metropolitan area|Tulsa Metro]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Football
|- "
! Team !! Type !! League !! Venue !! City !! Area (Metro/Region)
|-
| [[Oklahoma Flying Aces]]
| [[Indoor American football|Indoor Football]]
| [[Champions Indoor Football|CIF]]
| [[Stride Bank Center]]
| [[Enid, Oklahoma|Enid]]
|
|-
| [[Oklahoma Thunder]]
| [[American football|Football]]
| [[Gridiron Developmental Football League|GDFL]]
| Bixby High School
| [[Bixby, Oklahoma|Bixby]]
| [[Tulsa metropolitan area|Tulsa Metro]]
|-
| [[Oklahoma City Bounty Hunters]]
| [[American football|Football]]
| [[Gridiron Developmental Football League|GDFL]]
| Putnam City Stadium
| [[Warr Acres, Oklahoma|Warr Acres]]
| [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area|OKC Metro]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Soccer
|- "
! Team !! Type !! League !! Venue !! City !! Area (Metro/Region)
|-
| [[FC Tulsa]]
| [[Association football|Men's Soccer]]
| [[United Soccer League|USL]]
| [[ONEOK Field]]
| [[Tulsa]]
| [[Tulsa metropolitan area|Tulsa Metro]]
|-
| [[Tulsa Spirit]]
| [[Association football|Women's Soccer]]
| [[Women's Premier Soccer League|WPSL]]
| Union 8th
| [[Broken Arrow, Oklahoma|Broken Arrow]]
| [[Tulsa metropolitan area|Tulsa Metro]]
|-
| [[Oklahoma City FC (WPSL)|Oklahoma City FC]]
| [[Association football|Women's Soccer]]
| [[Women's Premier Soccer League|WPSL]]
| [[Yukon High School|Miller Stadium]]
| [[Oklahoma City]]
| [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area|OKC Metro]]
|-
| [[Oklahoma City Energy]]
| [[Association football|Men's Soccer]]
| [[United Soccer League|USL]]
| [[Taft Stadium]]
| [[Oklahoma City]]
| [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area|OKC Metro]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Rugby
|- "
! Team !! Type !! League !! Venue !! City !! Area (Metro/Region)
|-
| [[Tulsa Rugby Club]]
| [[Rugby union|Men's Rugby]]
| [[Division II Rugby]]
| [[Riverside Pitch]]
| [[Tulsa]]
| [[Tulsa metropolitan area|Tulsa Metro]]
|}

==Health==
[[File:tulsacancertreatmentcenter.jpg|thumb|Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center, Tulsa]]

Oklahoma was the 21st-largest recipient of medical funding from the federal government in 2005, with health-related federal expenditures in the state totaling $75,801,364; [[immunization]]s, [[bioterrorism]] preparedness, and health education were the top three most funded medical items.<ref name="oklahoma health 2">{{cite web| title = Health Report: Oklahoma| publisher = Trust for America's Health| url = http://healthyamericans.org/state/index.php?StateID=OK| access-date = August 2, 2007| archive-date = August 12, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070812184402/http://healthyamericans.org/state/index.php?StateID=OK}}</ref> Instances of major diseases are near the national average in Oklahoma, and the state ranks at or slightly above the rest of the country in percentage of people with [[asthma]], [[Diabetes mellitus|diabetes]], cancer, and [[hypertension]].<ref name="oklahoma health 2" />

In 2000, Oklahoma ranked 45th in physicians per capita and slightly below the national average in nurses per capita, but was slightly above the national average in hospital beds per 100,000 people and above the national average in net growth of health services over a twelve-year period.<ref>{{Cite FTP | title = State health workforce profiles:Oklahoma | url = ftp://ftp.hrsa.gov/bhpr/workforce/summaries/Oklahoma03.pdf | server = [[United States Department of Health and Human Services]] | url-status = dead | access-date = August 2, 2007 }}</ref> One of the worst states for percentage of insured people, nearly 25 percent of Oklahomans between the age of 18 and 64 did not have health insurance in 2005, the fifth-highest rate in the nation.<ref>{{cite web | title = Health insurance, lack of coverage among adults: State, 2002–2005 | publisher = [[United States Department of Health and Human Services]] | url = http://209.217.72.34/HDAA/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=151 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012213905/http://209.217.72.34/HDAA/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=151 | archive-date = October 12, 2007 | access-date = September 8, 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Oklahomans are in the upper half of Americans in terms of [[Obesity in the US|obesity prevalence]]. In 2009, Oklahoma was the 5th most obese in the nation, with 30.3 percent of its population at or near obesity.<ref name="Oklahoma Health">{{cite web|title=U.S. Obesity Trends |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |url=https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html |access-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825130031/http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html |archive-date=August 25, 2009 }}</ref> Oklahoma ranked last among the 50 states in a 2007 study by the [[Commonwealth Fund]] on health care performance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.webmd.com/news/20070613/how-states-rank-on-health-care |title=How States Rank on Health Care |last=Hitti |first=Miranda |publisher=WebMD Health News |date=June 13, 2007 |access-date=January 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617033457/https://www.webmd.com/news/20070613/how-states-rank-on-health-care | archive-date=June 17, 2007}}</ref>

The [[University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center|OU Medical Center]], Oklahoma's largest collection of hospitals, is the only hospital in the state designated a Level{{nbsp}}I [[trauma center]] by the [[American College of Surgeons]]. OU Medical Center is on the grounds of the Oklahoma Health Center in Oklahoma City, the state's largest concentration of medical research facilities.<ref>{{cite web| title = OU Medical Center Employment Opportunities| publisher = [[University of Oklahoma]]| url = http://www.oumedcenter.com/eRecruit.asp| access-date = August 2, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070817194528/http://www.oumedcenter.com/eRecruit.asp| archive-date = August 17, 2007| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Trauma One Center| publisher = [[University of Oklahoma]]| url = http://www.oumedcenter.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID=3F100B4D-6724-11D4-81F3-00508B1249D5| access-date = August 2, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070721211811/http://www.oumedcenter.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID=3F100B4D-6724-11D4-81F3-00508B1249D5| archive-date = July 21, 2007| url-status = dead}}</ref>

The Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa is one of four such regional facilities nationwide, offering cancer treatment to the entire southwestern United States, and is one of the largest cancer treatment hospitals in the country.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cancercenter.com/southwestern-hospital/about-this-hospital.cfm| title=Southwestern Regional Medical Center| publisher=[[Cancer Treatment Centers of America]]| access-date=May 7, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010160608/http://www.cancercenter.com/southwestern-hospital/about-this-hospital.cfm| archive-date=October 10, 2007| df=mdy-all| url-status=dead}}</ref> The largest [[Osteopathic medicine in the United States|osteopathic]] teaching facility in the nation, [[Oklahoma State University Medical Center]] at Tulsa, also rates as one of the largest facilities in the field of [[neuroscience]].<ref>{{cite web | year=2007|url=http://osu.okstate.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=479&Itemid=90 | title= Tulsa Regional Medical Center Changes its name to OSU Medical Center | publisher=[[Oklahoma State University]]| access-date=August 2, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071013231828/http://osu.okstate.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=479&Itemid=90 <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date = October 13, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.research.okstate.edu/report00/com/comnar.html | title= Basic Biomedical Research in the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine| publisher=[[Oklahoma State University]]| access-date=August 2, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060901125105/http://www.research.okstate.edu/report00/com/comnar.html |archive-date = September 1, 2006}}</ref>
On June 26, 2018, Oklahoma made [[Medical cannabis|marijuana legal for medical purposes]], making it one of the most conservative states to approve medical marijuana.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Sean |title=Oklahoma voters approve medical marijuana despite opposition |url=https://apnews.com/article/70b6fafb4c0f4d2ea920cba5fa227737 |access-date=November 15, 2020 |work=AP News |date=June 27, 2018}}</ref>

===Life expectancy===
The residents of Oklahoma have [[List of U.S. states and territories by life expectancy|a lower life expectancy]] than the U.S. national average. In 2014, males in Oklahoma lived an average of 73.7 years compared to a male national average of 76.7 years and females lived an average of 78.5 years compared to a female national average of 81.5 years. Increases in life expectancy have been below the national average. Male life expectancy in Oklahoma between 1980 and 2014, increased by an average of 4.0 years, compared to a male national average of a 6.7 year increase. Life expectancy for females in Oklahoma between 1980 and 2014, increased by 1.0 years, compared to a female national average of a 4.0 year increase.<ref>{{cite web |title=US Health Map |url=https://vizhub.healthdata.org/subnational/usa |website=Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation |publisher=University of Washington |access-date=December 27, 2020}}</ref>

Using 2016–2018 data, the [[Robert Wood Johnson Foundation]] calculated that life expectancy (all sexes) for Oklahoma counties ranged from 71.2 years for [[Okfuskee County]] to 79.7 years for [[Cimarron County|Cimarron]] and [[Logan County, Oklahoma|Logan]] counties. Life expectancy for the state as a whole was 76.0 years.<ref name="Robert Wood Johnson">{{cite web |title=Oklahoma: Life Expectancy |url=https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/oklahoma/2020/measure/outcomes/147/data?sort=sc-2 |website=Robert Wood Johnson Foundation |access-date=December 28, 2020}}</ref>

===Impact of COVID-19===
As of December 22, 2022, Oklahoma has been impacted more by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] (2020–2023) than the average U.S. state. Statistics for the U.S. as a whole are 331 deaths per 100,000 population with 68 percent of the population fully vaccinated. The comparable statistics for Oklahoma are 405 deaths per 100,000 population with 59 percent of the population fully vaccinated; 16,041 deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded in Oklahoma. A wide variation in deaths from COVID-19 exists among Oklahoma counties. [[Greer County, Oklahoma|Greer County]] recorded the highest death rate of .00753 (753 deaths per 100,000 residents). [[Payne County, Oklahoma|Payne County]] recorded the lowest death rate of .00231 (231 deaths per 100,000 residents).<ref name="Tracking Coronavirus">{{cite news |title=Tracking Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Latest Map and Case Count, December 22, 2022 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html |website=New York Times |date=March 3, 2020 |access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref>

==Media==
{{Main|List of newspapers in Oklahoma|List of radio stations in Oklahoma|List of television stations in Oklahoma}}

[[File:Tulsa World Office.jpg|thumb|The second-largest newspaper in Oklahoma, the ''Tulsa World'', has a circulation of 189,789.<ref name="world" />]]

Oklahoma City and Tulsa are the 45th- and 61st-largest [[media market]]s in the United States as ranked by [[Nielsen Media Research]]. The state's third-largest media market, Lawton-[[Wichita Falls, Texas]], is ranked 149th nationally by the agency.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/2009-2010-dma-ranks.pdf | title=Local Television Market Universe Estimates Comparisons of 2008–09 and 2009–10 Market Ranks | publisher=Nielsen Media | access-date=October 17, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317170600/http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/2009-2010-dma-ranks.pdf | archive-date=March 17, 2011 }}</ref> [[Terrestrial television|Broadcast television]] in Oklahoma began in 1949 when [[KFOR-TV]] (then WKY-TV) in Oklahoma City and [[KOTV-TV]] in Tulsa began broadcasting a few months apart.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tulsatvmemories.com/tvthesi2.html|title= Historical Highlights of Television in Tulsa, Oklahoma | publisher=Tulsa TV History| access-date=August 6, 2007}}</ref> Currently, all major American [[Television network|broadcast networks]] have affiliated television stations in the state.<ref>{{cite web |year=2007 |url=http://www.globalcomputing.com/GetTV_Map1.cfm?PageNum_q_GetTV_Map=1&stateid=OK |title=U.S. Television Stations in Oklahoma |publisher=Global Computing |access-date=August 6, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927064302/http://www.globalcomputing.com/GetTV_Map1.cfm?PageNum_q_GetTV_Map=1&stateid=OK |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Oklahoma has two primary newspapers. ''[[The Oklahoman]]'', based in Oklahoma City, is the largest newspaper in the state and 54th-largest in the nation by circulation, with a weekday readership of 138,493 and a Sunday readership of 202,690. The ''[[Tulsa World]]'', the second-most widely circulated newspaper in Oklahoma and 79th in the nation, holds a Sunday circulation of 132,969 and a weekday readership of 93,558.<ref name="world">{{cite web | title=2011 Top Media Outlets: Newspapers, Blogs, Consumer Magazines & Social Network | publisher=BurrellesLuce | url=http://www.burrellesluce.com/sites/default/files/TopMedia2011_UpdatedFebruary2011_FINAL.pdf | access-date=October 17, 2011 | year=2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023162955/http://www.burrellesluce.com/sites/default/files/TopMedia2011_UpdatedFebruary2011_FINAL.pdf | archive-date=October 23, 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Oklahoma's first newspaper was established in 1844, called the ''Cherokee Advocate'', and was written in both [[Cherokee language|Cherokee]] and English.<ref name="ok newspapers" /> In 2006, there were more than 220 newspapers in the state, including 177 with weekly publications and 48 with daily publications.<ref name="ok newspapers">{{cite web | title=History of Newspapers in Oklahoma| publisher=Oklahoma Historical Society | url=http://www.okhistory.org/research/collections/news_history.html | access-date=August 6, 2007}}</ref>

Oklahoma's first radio station, [[WKY]] in Oklahoma City, began broadcasting in 1920.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tulsaworld.com/archive/radio-days-oklahomas-first-station-broadcast-pioneer-wky-began-in-garage-living-room/article_598b57f4-03e1-5a4c-85ec-6c08c7138fe3.html#:~:text=WhatsApp-,Radio%20Days%3A%20Oklahoma's%20First%20Station%3A%20Broadcast%20pioneer%20WKY,began%20in%20garage%2C%20living%20room&text=In%201922%2C%20the%20U.S.%20Department,west%20of%20the%20Mississippi%20River.|title=Radio Days: Oklahoma's First Station: Broadcast pioneer WKY began in garage, living room|work=Tulsa World|last1=Gleason|first1=Matt|date=January 28, 2007|access-date=October 28, 2020}}</ref> In 2006, there were more than 500 radio stations in Oklahoma broadcasting with various local or nationally owned networks. Five universities in Oklahoma operate non-commercial, public radio stations/networks.<ref>{{cite web | year = 2006 | title = Complete List of Radio Stations in the State of OK | url = http://www.ontheradio.net/states/oklahoma.aspx | publisher = On the Radio.net | access-date = August 6, 2007 | archive-date = August 24, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070824110916/http://www.ontheradio.net/states/oklahoma.aspx | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Oklahoma has a few ethnic-oriented TV stations broadcasting in Spanish and [[Asian Americans|Asian]] languages, and there is some Native American programming. [[Trinity Broadcasting Network|TBN]], a Christian religious television network, has a studio in Tulsa, and built its first entirely TBN-owned affiliate in Oklahoma City in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=67999&Callsign=KTBO-TV|author=Federal Communications Commission|title=Call Sign History|access-date=May 16, 2010|archive-date=May 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525205031/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=67999&Callsign=KTBO-TV|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:National-atlas-oklahoma.PNG|thumb|upright=2.5|Road network and waterways of Oklahoma from the 1970 edition of the [[National Atlas]]]]

Transportation in Oklahoma is generated by an anchor system of [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate Highways]], [[inter-city rail]] lines, airports, [[inland port]]s, and [[Public transport|mass transit]] networks. Situated along an integral point in the Interstate Highway system, Oklahoma contains three [[List of Interstate Highways in Oklahoma|three primary and four auxiliary Interstate Highways]]. In Oklahoma City, [[Interstate 35 in Oklahoma|Interstate&nbsp;35]] (I-35) intersects with [[Interstate 44 in Oklahoma|I-44]] and [[Interstate 40 in Oklahoma|I-40]], forming one of the most important intersections along the United States highway system.<ref name="roads okla" />

More than {{convert|12000|mi}} of roads make up the state's major highway skeleton, including state-operated highways, ten [[Turnpikes of Oklahoma|turnpikes]] or major toll roads,<ref name="roads okla">{{cite web| title = Transportation in Oklahoma City| publisher=Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce| year = 2007| url =http://www.okcchamber.com/index.php?submenu=Transportation&src=gendocs&ref=Transportation&category=OklahomaCity| access-date = August 2, 2007}}</ref> and the longest drivable stretch of [[U.S. Route 66 in Oklahoma|Route 66]] in the nation.<ref>{{cite web | year=2007 | url=http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-Facts.html | title=Route 66—Facts and Trivia | publisher=Legends of America | access-date=August 2, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809135444/http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-Facts.html | archive-date=August 9, 2007 | df=mdy-all | url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2008, I-44 in Oklahoma City was Oklahoma's busiest highway, with a daily traffic volume of 123,300 cars.<ref>{{cite web | year=2008 | url=http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/hqdiv/p-r-div/maps/aadt/2008/statemap.pdf| title=2008 Annual Average Daily Traffic | publisher=Oklahoma Department of Transportation | access-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref> In 2010, the state had the nation's third-highest number of bridges classified as structurally deficient, with nearly 5,212 bridges in disrepair, including 235 National Highway System bridges.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/nbi/defbr10.cfm |publisher=United States Department of Transportation—Federal Highway Administration | title=Deficient Bridges by State and Highway System| year=2010 |access-date=September 28, 2011}}</ref>

Oklahoma's largest commercial airport is [[Will Rogers World Airport]] in Oklahoma City, averaging a yearly passenger count of more than 3.5 million (1.7 million boardings) in 2010.<ref>{{cite web | year=2010 | url=http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/December%2010%20Activity.pdf | title=Aviation Activity Report December 2010 | publisher=Oklahoma City Airport Authority | access-date=September 30, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317073707/http://www.flyokc.com/statistics/December%2010%20Activity.pdf | archive-date=March 17, 2012 | df=mdy-all | url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Tulsa International Airport]], the state's second-largest commercial airport, served more than 1.3 million boardings in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|year=2010 |url=http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy10_primary_enplanements_prelim.pdf |title=Passenger Boarding (Enplanement) and All-Cargo Data for U.S. Airports |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |access-date=September 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920023456/http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy10_primary_enplanements_prelim.pdf |archive-date=September 20, 2011 }}</ref> Between the two, six airlines operate in Oklahoma.<ref>{{cite web| year=2007| url=http://www.tulsaairports.com/airline-information/| title=Tulsa International Airport—Airline Information| publisher=Tulsa Airport Authority| access-date=August 2, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928005948/http://tulsaairports.com/airline-information/| archive-date=September 28, 2012| df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| year=2004| url=http://flyokc.com/Airlines.aspx| title=Will Rogers World Airports—Airline Information| publisher=Oklahoma City Airport Authority| access-date=August 2, 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315095936/http://flyokc.com/Airlines.aspx| archive-date=March 15, 2011| df=mdy-all| url-status=dead}}</ref> In terms of traffic, [[Richard Lloyd Jones Jr. Airport|R. L. Jones Jr. (Riverside) Airport]] in Tulsa is the state's busiest airport, with 335,826 takeoffs and landings in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |year=2007 |url=http://www.tulsaairports.com/index.cfm?id=11 |title=Riverside Jones Airport |publisher=Tulsa Airport Authority |access-date=September 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822190220/http://www.tulsaairports.com/index.cfm?id=11 |archive-date=August 22, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Oklahoma has more than 150 public-use airports.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.okairports.com/airports.html| title= Airports of Oklahoma | publisher=Oklahoma Airport Operators Association| access-date=August 2, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928150603/http://www.okairports.com/airports.html|archive-date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref>

Oklahoma is connected to the nation's rail network via [[Amtrak]]'s ''[[Heartland Flyer]]'', its only regional passenger rail line. It currently stretches from [[Oklahoma City]] to [[Fort Worth, Texas]]. Lawmakers began seeking funding in early 2007 to connect the ''Heartland Flyer'' to [[Tulsa]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Barber |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-157844553.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910071640/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-157844553.html |archive-date=September 10, 2016 |title=Federal matching funds may help bring Amtrak to Tulsa |date=January 18, 2007 |work=Tulsa World |access-date=August 2, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but nothing came of this. In June 2023, following studies and negotiations, Oklahoma and Kansas state officials began seeking federal approval and funding to extend the ''Heartland Flyer'' from Oklahoma City to [[Newton, Kansas]]. The two locations are currently connected by an Amtrak Thruway Bus route that includes a stop in [[Wichita, Kansas]].<ref name=Newton>{{cite web |last=Forman |first=Carmen |date=June 12, 2023 |url= https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/government-politics/tulsa-not-included-in-proposed-okc-to-kansas-passenger-rail-expansion/article_68b5344e-053d-11ee-a5f2-b3714a93e9bb.html |title= Tulsa not included in proposed OKC-to-Kansas passenger rail expansion |work=[[Tulsa World]] |access-date=June 12, 2023}}</ref> In November 2023, KDOT said the service would start in 2029 if approved, but could begin sooner were the project to be fast tracked.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KDOT gives update on potential Amtrak expansion into Wichita |url=https://www.kake.com/story/49974341/kdot-gives-update-on-potential-amtrak-expansion-into-wichita |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=www.kake.com |date=November 8, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

Two inland ports on rivers serve Oklahoma: the [[Port of Muskogee]] and the [[Tulsa Port of Catoosa]]. The Tulsa Port of Catoosa is one of the United States' most inland international ports, at head of navigation of the [[McClellan–Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System]], which connects [[barge]] traffic from Tulsa and Muskogee to the Mississippi River.<ref name="Tulsa Port News">{{cite web |url=http://www.tulsaport.com/news_and_events.html |title=What's new at the port? |publisher=Tulsa Port Authority |access-date=July 30, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714184501/http://www.tulsaport.com/news_and_events.html |archive-date=July 14, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  The port ships over two million tons of goods annually and is a designated [[Free-trade zone|foreign trade zone]].

{| class="collapsible collapsed" style="border:1px #aaa solid; width:50em; margin:0.2em auto"
|-
! Local transit map
|-
|{{Location map+ |Oklahoma |width=1000 |float=center
|caption=Local Transit Systems (Only systems with fixed-route services are shown)
|places=
{{Location map~ |Oklahoma |lat=34.606396|long=-98.394722|position=bottom|label='''[[Lawton Area Transit System]]'''|label_size=90|mark=Icon-mode-bus-default.svg|marksize=20 }}

{{Location map~ |Oklahoma |lat=36.151909|long=-95.993668|position=top |label='''[[Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority|Tulsa Transit]]'''|label_size=90 |mark=Icon-mode-bus-default.svg|marksize=20 }}

{{Location map~ |Oklahoma |lat=36.127096|long=-97.071055|position=top |label='''[[The Bus (Stillwater)|The Bus]]'''|label_size=90 |mark=Icon-mode-bus-default.svg|marksize=20 }}

{{Location map~ |Oklahoma |lat=35.749403|long=-95.370913|position=left |label='''[[Muskogee County Transit]]'''|label_size=90 |mark=Icon-mode-bus-default.svg|marksize=20 }}

{{Location map~ |Oklahoma |lat=36.308111|long=-95.318377|position=top |label='''[[Pelivan Transit]]'''|label_size=90 |mark=Icon-mode-bus-default.svg|marksize=20 }}

{{Location map~ |Oklahoma |lat=35.911163|long=-94.972013|position=right |label='''[[KI BOIS Area Transit System|KATS]]'''|label_size=90 |mark=Icon-mode-bus-default.svg|marksize=20 }}

{{Location map~ |Oklahoma |lat=35.654210|long=-97.481404|position=top |label='''[[Citylink Edmond]]'''|label_size=90 |mark=Icon-mode-bus-default.svg|marksize=20 }}

{{Location map~ |Oklahoma |lat=35.220673|long=-97.443861|position=bottom |label='''[[Cleveland Area Rapid Transit|CART]]'''|label_size=90 |mark=Icon-mode-bus-default.svg|marksize=20 }}

{{Location map~ |Oklahoma |lat=35.472555|long=-97.520119|position=right |label='''[[Embark (transit authority)|Embark]]'''|label_size=90 |mark=Icon-mode-bus-default.svg|marksize=20 }}
}}
|}

==Law and government==
{{Main|Government of Oklahoma}}

[[File:Oklahoma State Capitol.jpg|thumb|The [[Oklahoma State Capitol]] in Oklahoma City]]

Oklahoma is a constitutional republic with a government modeled after the [[federal government of the United States]], with executive, legislative, and judicial branches.<ref>{{cite web | year=2006 | publisher=GoveEngine.com | access-date=July 31, 2007 | url=http://www.govengine.com/stategov/oklahoma.html| title=State Government—Oklahoma}}</ref> Oklahoma has [[List of counties in Oklahoma|77 counties]] with jurisdiction over most local government functions within each respective domain,<ref name="Topography of Oklahoma" /> [[Oklahoma's congressional districts|five congressional districts]], and a voting base with a majority in the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]].<ref name="Current Registration Statistics by County">{{cite web|url=https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/voter-registration-statistics/2023-vr-statistics/vrstats-county-jan15-2023.pdf|title=Current Registration Statistics by County|date=January 15, 2023|publisher=State of Oklahoma|access-date=March 2, 2023|archive-date=March 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305071400/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/voter-registration-statistics/2023-vr-statistics/vrstats-county-jan15-2023.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> State officials are elected by [[plurality voting]] in the state of Oklahoma.

Oklahoma has [[capital punishment in the United States|capital punishment]] as a legal sentence. Between 1976 and mid-2011, Oklahoma had the highest per capita execution rate in the nation.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Watch |first1=Oklahoma |url=http://oklahomawatch.org/2013/02/21/this-news-brief-has-a-featured-image/ |title=The Execution State? |work=Oklahoma Watch |publisher=[[Oklahoma Watch]] |date=February 21, 2013 |access-date=July 10, 2013}}</ref> Authorized methods of execution include the [[electric chair]], the [[gas chamber]] and the [[Execution by firing squad|firing squad]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/executions/methods-of-execution | title=Methods of Execution }}</ref>

In a 2020 study, Oklahoma was ranked as the 14th most difficult state for citizens to vote in.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=J. Pomante II |first1=Michael |last2=Li |first2=Quan |title=Cost of Voting in the American States: 2020 |journal=Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy |date=15 Dec 2020 |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=503–509 |doi=10.1089/elj.2020.0666 |s2cid=225139517 |doi-access=free | issn=1533-1296 }}</ref> In May 2020, it became the first state to enact an [[Red flag law#Oklahoma anti-red flag law|anti-red flag law]], prohibiting the acceptance of any grants or funding to enact red flag laws.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma SB1081 {{!}} 2020 {{!}} Regular Session |url=https://legiscan.com/OK/bill/SB1081/2020 |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=LegiScan |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-21 |title=Nation's first anti-red flag law now on the books |url=https://www.claremoreprogress.com/news/nation-s-first-anti-red-flag-law-now-on-the-books/article_3eba8328-9b6f-11ea-a178-57cce31dba87.html |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=Claremore Daily Progress |language=en}}</ref> [[Abortion in Oklahoma]] is illegal in nearly all circumstances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Where Can I Get an Abortion? {{!}} U.S. Abortion Clinic Locator |url=https://www.abortionfinder.org/abortion-guides-by-state/abortion-in-oklahoma |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=www.abortionfinder.org |language=en}}</ref>

===State government===
{{See also|Governor of Oklahoma||Oklahoma Legislature|Oklahoma Supreme Court}}

The [[Oklahoma Legislature|Legislature of Oklahoma]] consists of the [[Oklahoma Senate|Senate]] and the [[Oklahoma House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. As the lawmaking branch of the state government, it is responsible for raising and distributing the money necessary to run the government. The Senate has 48 members serving four-year terms, while the House has 101 members with two-year terms. The state has a [[term limit]] for its legislature that restricts any one person to twelve cumulative years service between both legislative branches.<ref name="Oklahoma Government 2" /><ref>{{cite web|publisher=U.S. Term Limits |access-date=August 9, 2007 |url=http://www.ustl.org/leglong.html |title=Legislative Longevity Limits |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070920054851/http://www.ustl.org/leglong.html |archive-date=September 20, 2007 }}</ref>

Oklahoma's judicial branch consists of the [[Oklahoma Supreme Court]], the [[Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals]], and 77 District Courts that each serve one county. The Oklahoma judiciary contains two independent courts: a Court of [[Impeachment in the United States|Impeachment]] for [[impeachment trial]]s, and the [[Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary]]. Oklahoma has two courts of last resort: the state Supreme Court hears civil cases, and the state Court of Criminal Appeals hears criminal cases. This split system exists only in Oklahoma and neighboring Texas. Judges of those two courts, as well as the Court of Civil Appeals are appointed by the governor upon the recommendation of the state Judicial Nominating Commission, and are subject to a [[non-partisan]] retention vote on a six-year rotating schedule.<ref name="Oklahoma Government 2">{{cite web | date=June 7, 2007 | publisher=Netstate| access-date=August 1, 2007 | url=http://www.netstate.com/states/government/ok_government.htm| title=Oklahoma State Government}}</ref>

The executive branch consists of the [[Governor of Oklahoma|governor]], their staff, and other elected officials. The principal head of government, the governor is the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch. He serves as the [[List of Latin phrases (E)|ex officio]] [[Commander-in-chief]] of the [[Oklahoma National Guard]] when not called into [[Federal government of the United States|Federal]] use and reserving the power to veto bills passed through the legislature. The responsibilities of the Executive branch include submitting the budget, ensuring state laws are enforced, and ensuring peace within the state is preserved.<ref>{{cite web| date=December 1, 1995| publisher=Governor's Commission| access-date=August 6, 2007| url=http://www.oklaosf.state.ok.us/osfdocs/gvcmmsh2.html| title=Report of the Governor's Commission on Government Performance| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429100905/http://www.oklaosf.state.ok.us/osfdocs/gvcmmsh2.html| archive-date=April 29, 2007| url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Local government===
{{See also|List of counties in Oklahoma}}

Oklahoma is divided into 77 [[County (United States)|counties]] that govern locally, each headed by a three-member council of elected commissioners, a tax assessor, clerk, [[court clerk]], treasurer, and [[Sheriffs in the United States|sheriff]].<ref>{{cite web |date=January 6, 2006 |publisher=Government of Oklahoma |access-date=August 1, 2007 |url=http://www.state.ok.us/osfdocs/county.html |title=List of County Officers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070531193042/http://www.state.ok.us/osfdocs/county.html |archive-date=May 31, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Each municipality operates as a separate and independent local government with executive, legislative and judicial power. County governments maintain jurisdiction over both incorporated cities and non-incorporated areas within their boundaries, and have executive power but no legislative or judicial power.<ref name="citygov" />

Both county and municipal governments collect taxes, employ a separate police force, hold elections, and operate emergency response services within their jurisdiction.<ref name="citygov" /><ref>{{cite news|first=Don |last=Diehl |url=http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2754&dept_id=573976&newsid=18622071&PAG=461&rfi=9 |date=July 24, 2007 |title=Metro About Jenks population figures ... doubled in size since 2000 census |publisher=Neighbor Newspapers |access-date=August 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015351/http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2754&dept_id=573976&newsid=18622071&PAG=461&rfi=9 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref> Other local government units include [[school district]]s, technology center districts, community college districts, rural fire departments, rural water districts, and other special use districts.

Thirty-nine Native American tribal governments are based in Oklahoma, each holding limited powers within designated areas. While [[Indian reservation]]s are typical in most of the United States, they are not present in Oklahoma. Tribal governments hold land granted during the Indian Territory era, but with limited jurisdiction, and no control over state governing bodies such as municipalities and counties. Tribal governments are recognized by the United States as quasi-sovereign entities with executive, judicial, and legislative powers over tribal members and functions, but are subject to the authority of the [[United States Congress]] to revoke or withhold certain powers. The tribal governments are required to submit a constitution and any subsequent amendments to the United States Congress for approval.<ref>{{cite news |first=Robert|last=Henry| url=http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=61934| date=March 22, 1989|title= Oklahoma Attorney General's Opinions: Question Submitted by: The Honorable Enoch Kelly Haney, Oklahoma State Senate| publisher=The Oklahoma State Courts Network | access-date=August 21, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Lindsay|last=Robertson|url=http://thorpe.ou.edu/guide/robertson.html|year=2001|title=Native Americans and the Law: Native Americans Under Current United States Law|publisher=[[University of Oklahoma]]|access-date=August 21, 2007|archive-date=April 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416012037/http://thorpe.ou.edu/guide/robertson.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Oklahoma has 11 substate districts, including the two large Councils of Governments, INCOG in Tulsa (Indian Nations Council of Governments) and ACOG (Association of Central Oklahoma Governments).

===National politics===
{{further|Political party strength in Oklahoma}}
{{Main|Politics of Oklahoma}}

During the first half-century of statehood, Oklahoma was considered a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] stronghold, being carried by the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] in only two presidential elections, [[1920 United States presidential election|1920]] and [[1928 United States presidential election|1928]]. After the [[1948 United States presidential election|1948 election]], the state turned firmly Republican. Although registered Republicans were a minority in the state until 2015,<ref name="voters">{{cite web | url=http://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/VRStatsbycountyjan152015.pdf | title=Registration by Party as of January 15, 2015 | publisher=Oklahoma State Election Board | access-date=February 6, 2015 | archive-date=February 7, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207050926/http://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/VRStatsbycountyjan152015.pdf }}</ref> Oklahoma has been carried by Republican presidential candidates in all but one election since 1952: [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]'s [[1964 United States presidential election|1964 landslide victory]].

Every single county in Oklahoma has been won by the Republican candidate in each election since [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004]]. Oklahoma was the only state where [[Barack Obama]] failed to carry any counties in [[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]. Oklahoma City was the largest city in the United States carried by Republican Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 elections.

Democrats are strongest in urban areas, such as the inner parts of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, as well as the [[college town]]s of Norman and Stillwater, and areas which are most heavily [[African American]]. The Democrats once held dominance in the eastern part of Oklahoma and [[Little Dixie (Oklahoma)|Little Dixie]] before the area gradually shifted Republican in the late 2000s. As of the 2020 election, Native American voters, 16% of the state's population, are split, with urban populations supporting the Democrats, and rural reservation populaces favoring the Republicans.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-11-03|title=Oklahoma Voter Surveys: How Different Groups Voted|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/ap-polls-oklahoma.html|access-date=2020-11-16|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Following the [[United States Census Bureau|2000 census]], the Oklahoma delegation to the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] was reduced from six to five representatives, each serving one [[congressional district]]. Oklahoma has had an all-Republican congressional delegation since 2021 and previously from 2013 to 2019.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Voter registration and party enrollment as of June 30, 2025<ref>[https://oklahoma.gov/elections/voter-registration/voter-registration-statistics/voter-registration-statistics-archive/2025-month-end-voter-registration-statistics.html 2025 Month-End Voter Registration Reports] [[Oklahoma State Election Board]]</ref>
|-
! colspan="2" | Party
! Number of voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1,266,591
| style="text-align:center;" | 53.45%
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 610,157 
| style="text-align:center;" | 25.75%
|-
| {{party color cell|Libertarian Party (United States)}}
| [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 22,991 
| style="text-align:center;" | 0.97%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| No affiliation/Other
| style="text-align:center;" | 469,702 
| style="text-align:center;" | 19.82%
|-
! colspan="2" | Total
! style="text-align:center;" | 2,369,441
! style="text-align:center;" | 100.00%
|}

===Military===
{{Main|List of military units and installations in Oklahoma|List of battles fought in Oklahoma}}

==State symbols==
{{See also|List of Oklahoma state symbols}}
[[File:American bison k5680-1.jpg|thumb|The [[American bison]] is Oklahoma's state mammal.]]

State law codifies Oklahoma's state emblems and honorary positions.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/index.asp?ftdb=STOKST&level=1 | title=OCIS Document Index | publisher=The Oklahoma Supreme Court Network | access-date=May 11, 2007}}</ref> The Oklahoma Senate or House of Representatives may adopt resolutions designating others for special events and to benefit organizations. In 2012 the House passed HCR 1024, which would change the state motto from "Labor Omnia Vincit" to "Oklahoma—In God We Trust!". The author of the resolution stated a constituent researched the Oklahoma Constitution and found no "official" vote regarding "Labor Omnia Vincit", therefore opening the door for an entirely new motto.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsok.com/article/3660948 |title=Oklahoma House approves 'In God We Trust' for state motto |publisher=newsok.com |access-date=March 27, 2018|date=March 26, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2011-12%20INT/hres/HCR1024%20int.pdf |title=HCR 1024 |access-date=March 27, 2018 |archive-date=November 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113092707/http://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2011-12%20INT/hres/HCR1024%20int.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|left=yes|Oklahoma|United States}}
* [[Index of Oklahoma-related articles]]
* [[Outline of Oklahoma]]
* [[Zodletone Mountain]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{Clear}}

==References==
<references>
<ref name="1912 tornadoes">{{Cite web |title=The Tornado Outbreak of April 27–28, 1912 |url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=events-19120427 |publisher=National Weather Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=August 20, 2013}}</ref>
</references>

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=Baird |first=W. David |author2=Danney Goble |year=1994 |title=The Story of Oklahoma |location=Norman, OK |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn=978-0-8061-2650-0}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dale |first=Edward Everett |author2=Morris L. Wardell |year=1948 |title=History of Oklahoma |url=https://archive.org/details/bwb_O4-AXM-642/mode/2up |location=New York |publisher=Prentice-Hall |access-date=September 7, 2017}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gibson |first=Arrell Morgan |year=1981 |title=Oklahoma: A History of Five Centuries |edition=2nd |location=Norman, OK |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn=978-0-8061-1758-4}}
* {{Cite book |last=Goble |first=Danney |title=Progressive Oklahoma: The Making of a New Kind of State |year=1980 |location=Norman, OK |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn=978-0-8061-1510-8}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gunther |first=John |author-link=John Gunther |year=1947 |chapter=Oklahoma and the Indians |title=Inside U.S.A |title-link=Inside U.S.A. (book) |location=New York; London |publisher=Harper & Brothers |pages=[https://archive.org/details/insideusa00guntrich/page/869 869–885]}}
* {{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Stephen |year=1974 |title=Oklahoma Politics in State and Nation |volume=1: ''1907–62'' |location=Enid, Okla. |publisher=Haymaker Press}}
* {{Cite book |editor-last=Joyce |editor-first=Davis D. |year=1994 |title=An Oklahoma I Had Never Seen Before: Alternative Views of Oklahoma History |location=Norman, OK |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn=978-0-8061-2599-2}}
* {{Cite book |editor-last=Morgan |editor-first=Anne Hodges |editor2=Morgan, H. Wayne |year=1982 |title=Oklahoma: New Views of the Forty-sixth State |location=Norman, OK |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn=978-0-8061-1651-8}}
* {{Cite book |last=Morgan |first=David R. |author2=Robert E. England |author3=George G. Humphreys |year=1991 |title=Oklahoma Politics and Policies: Governing the Sooner State |url=https://archive.org/details/oklahomapolitics00morg |location=Lincoln, OK |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |isbn=978-0-8032-3106-1}}
* {{Cite book |last=Morris |first=John W. |author2=Charles R. Goins |author3=Edwin C. McReynolds |title=Historical Atlas of Oklahoma |year=1986 |edition=3rd |location=Norman, OK |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |isbn=978-0-8061-1991-5}}
* {{Cite book |editor1-link=David J. Wishart |editor1-last=Wishart |editor1-first=David J. |year=2004 |title=Encyclopedia of the Great Plains |url=http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/ |location=Lincoln, OK |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |isbn=978-0-8032-4787-1}} 900 pages of scholarly articles.

==External links==
{{Sister project links|Oklahoma|voy=Oklahoma}}

===Government===
* {{Official website|https://www.ok.gov/}}
* [http://www.oklegislature.gov/ Oklahoma Legislative Branch]
* [http://www.okcommerce.gov/ Oklahoma Department of Commerce]
* [http://www.okdhs.org/ Oklahoma Department of Human Services]
* [http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/ Oklahoma Department of Transportation]

===Tourism and recreation===
* [http://www.travelok.com/ Official Oklahoma Tourism Info]
* [http://www.touroklahoma.com/ Oklahoma State Parks]
* [https://www.redearth.org/ Red Earth] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129174921/https://www.redearth.org/ |date=January 29, 2021}})
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090722210244/http://www.woodyguthrie.com/ Woody Guthrie Folk Festival]

===Culture and history===
* [https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/states/oklahoma/ Oklahoma State Guide from the Library of Congress]
* [https://www.arts.ok.gov/ Oklahoma Arts Council]
* [http://www.oktheatre.org/ Oklahoma Theatre Association]
* [http://www.library.okstate.edu/oralhistory/ Oklahoma Oral History Research Program]
* [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/encyclopediaonline.php Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture]
* [http://voicesofoklahoma.com Voices of Oklahoma Oral History Project]

===Maps and demographics===
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120120082128/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html Oklahoma QuickFacts Geographic and Demographic information]
* [http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/hqdiv/p-r-div/maps/2005state/index.htm State highway maps]
* [http://www.okgensoc.org/ Oklahoma Genealogical Society]
* [http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=OK Realtime USGS geographic, weather, and geologic information] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501104714/http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=OK |date=May 1, 2012}})
* {{OSM relation|161645}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121024013411/http://www.library.okstate.edu/okmaps/ Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory]

{{S-start}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Utah]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=[[List of U.S. states by date of statehood]]|years=Admitted on November 16, 1907 (46th)}}
{{S-aft|after=[[New Mexico]]}}
{{S-end}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Oklahoma}}
[[Category:Oklahoma| ]]
[[Category:1907 establishments in the United States]]
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