Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city in the state of Oklahoma, and ranks 29th in the US in terms of population. At the 2010 census, its population was 579,999, but a metropolitan population exceeding 1.25 million. In 2014, Oklahoma City had an estimated population of 1.31 million people.

Oklahoma City metro is home to 1.41 million residents, up from 1.25 million in 2010. The Oklahoma City-Shawnee Combined Statistical Area is a bit larger with a population of 1.34 million. While the 29th most populous city in the United States, Oklahoma City is 8th in terms of pure size.

Oklahoma City has a population density of 956 people per square mile (321 per square kilometer), which makes it one of the least densely populated major cities in the country.

Oklahoma City Diversity

Interestingly, Oklahoma City is one of the most diverse cities in the state, and its Hispanic population has grown dramatically over the years. The Hispanic population of Oklahoma City rose 85% from 2000 to 2010, with a proportion increasing from 5.2% to 8.9% in that same period.

Oklahoma City History

Oklahoma City was founded in 1889 during The Land Run, with about 10,000 homesteaders settling the area. The small town snowballed with a population that doubled in just ten years.

Oklahoma City was admitted to the Union in 1907 as the population and commercial center of the state, surpassing the city of Guthrie. Shortly afterward, the capital was moved from Guthrie to Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City experienced a declining population in its city center during the 1970s and 1980s, following a trend common among many US cities at the time, as families began to move to the suburbs. Urban renewal projects removed many historic structures in the city but left Oklahoma City with a lot of vacant lots rather than the new development the city hoped.

In the early '90s, Oklahoma City began a major redevelopment project that established new life to its downtown area, including a baseball park, library, fairgrounds and a water canal with water taxis. This project, known as Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) became one of the most successful public-private partnerships in the country and increased downtown housing and demand for retail and residential features.

Downtown Oklahoma City development has continued since then, and the city has certainly succeeded in its goals, enjoying positive population growth in every census since its founding.

Oklahoma City Population Growth

Oklahoma City has experienced very healthy growth over the last two decades, particularly among the suburbs. From 2000 to 2010, Oklahoma City grew 8.1%. It finally became the 29th most populous city in the US, passing Milwaukee and Las Vegas, in 2012.

Oklahoma City seems to be attracting residents from across the United States and the rural areas of the state, as more people move to the metropolitan area for jobs, education and a healthy economy. While Oklahoma enjoyed a lower-than-average unemployment rate at the height of the recession, Oklahoma City's rate was even lower.

Oklahoma City is expected to continue its healthy growth into the future, reaching 1.5 million in its metropolitan area by 2020.