Life in South Central Oklahoma
- 2.5M Acres of Lakes
- 4 Colleges & Universities
- Only National recreation area in Oklahoma
Historic main streets and college towns meet lax lake days and a slower pace of life. Just 90 minutes from two major cities, south central Oklahoma gives you the best of both worlds.
Best for: Rural living with easy access to major cities
Popular Places to Move
Tishomingo
Population
3,101
Average Home Value
$137,911
Pauls Valley
Population
5,992
Average Home Value
$129,847
Ada
Population
16,481
Average Home Value
$168,844
Ardmore
Population
24,725
Average Home Value
$139,672
How does life in south central Oklahoma compare?
Top Industries
Great Outdoors
South central Oklahoma is the heart of the Arbuckle Mountains, one of Oklahoma’s four mountain ranges. Whether you’re watching bald eagles soar at the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge or cooling off at Turner Falls, there’s always something outdoors to do. The Blue River and popular lake destinations like Lake Texoma and Lake of the Arbuckles are just down the road, and for the adrenaline junkies, a day of off-roading at Cross Bar Ranch or an exotic animal hunt at Wildcat Springs Ranch is sure to scratch the itch.
Cross Bar Ranch
Davis
Lake Texoma
Kingston
Photo by Don Blake
Turner Falls
Davis
Food & Drink
Your taste buds will thank you for moving to south central Oklahoma. From the legendary catfish at McGehee’s in Marietta to live music and comfort food at Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, boring is never on the menu. In Ardmore, Scout Fresh Foods serves up housemade and healthy, and for something sweet, Ada’s Bedré Fine Chocolate or Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies in Davis hits the spot.
Bedré fine chocolate
Davis
ole red
Tishomingo
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
In your downtime, Oklahoma’s only national park will be your natural playground. Just outside of Sulphur, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area’s 10,000 acres of lush green forest have something for everyone. The park is operated by the National Park Service and boasts over 20 miles of hiking trails, six campgrounds, and 36 miles of shoreline on Lake of the Arbuckles. Oklahomans know the park best for refreshingly chilly swims down Travertine Creek and Little Niagara. Before you know it, it will be a tradition for you too.
Festivals
Community is king in south central Oklahoma, and its festival scene shows it. Along with county fairs, rodeos, and car shows, the region celebrates live music at AdaFest and Blanchard Bluegrass Festival and local art at the Rock Island Arts Festival. Each summer, over 15,000 people head to Madill for country music and fishing competitions at the National Sand Bass Festival, and the Chickasha Festival of Light is a colorful holiday tradition for many Oklahomans.
National Sand Bass Festival
Madill
Chickasha Festival of Light
Chickasha
The Clubhouse
Ardmore
Arbuckle Wilderness Park
Davis
Family Fun
With great schools and tight-knit communities, south central Oklahoma is one of the family-friendliest regions in the state. It’s also brimming with all-ages activities to fill up the scrapbook. Check out thousands of nostalgic toys at the Toy & Action Figure Museum, feed an ostrich from your car at Arbuckle Wilderness Park, or have a high-flying afternoon on the trampolines at Urban Air Adventure Park. Popular family fun centers like Lazer Zone in Ada and The Clubhouse in Ardmore are also in the neighborhood, with laser tag, bowling, mini golf, and more.
Winstar World Casino & Resort
The world’s largest casino — yes, the world’s largest — resides in south central Oklahoma. With over 10,000 slot machines, 17 restaurants, a golf course, and the Lucas Oil Live entertainment venue, Winstar World Casino & Resort is hard to miss. And since it’s just down the road, you can get to a special meal or catch your favorite artist live in concert right after work.
Chickasaw Culture
Chickasaw culture is an integral part of life in south central Oklahoma. The Chickasaw Nation is a major employer in the area and regularly invests in local schools, healthcare, and infrastructure that impact the entire community. Immerse yourself in Chickasaw culture at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur or visit the Chickasaw Capitol in Tishomingo.
Chickasaw Cultural Center
Sulphur
Chickasaw Cultural Center
Sulphur
Chickasaw Cultural Center
Sulphur
Chickasaw Cultural Center
Sulphur
Chickasaw Cultural Center
Sulphur
Chickasaw Cultural Center
Sulphur
Transportation
Whether for business or a weekend getaway, the Heartland Flyer Amtrak train is a fantastic perk of life in south central Oklahoma. The train runs between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, with stops in nearby Purcell, Pauls Valley, and Ardmore. Along with beautiful views of the Arbuckle Mountains, it’s a convenient way to get to a meeting in Oklahoma City or the annual Red River Rivalry game in Dallas. A shopping trip or two never hurt anyone either.
