Oklahoma Cities by Population 2025

Oklahoma’s local governance structure comprises 77 counties and over 590 incorporated municipalities, including cities and towns. Counties play a crucial role in rural areas by providing essential services, while cities and towns manage more localized services and governance within their borders.

Oklahoma City, the state’s largest city, operates under a council-manager form of government, where an elected city council sets policy and a city manager handles administration. This system allows for a balanced division of power, with the mayor serving as a member of the council and representing the city. Oklahoma City oversees services such as public safety, public transportation, utilities, and economic development.

Tulsa follows a mayor-council government model, where the mayor functions as the city’s chief executive, overseeing daily operations and city departments, while the city council acts as the legislative body. This form of governance allows Tulsa to address complex urban challenges, including public safety, infrastructure, and community development.

Smaller municipalities, such as Norman and Edmond, often utilize either council-manager or mayor-council systems. This flexibility enables cities and towns to tailor their governance structures to meet local needs, ensuring responsive and effective management of services.

Counties like Tulsa County and Oklahoma County are responsible for services in unincorporated areas, including law enforcement, road maintenance, and public health. County commissioners oversee these functions, ensuring that rural residents receive essential services.

Unincorporated regions, common in Oklahoma’s rural counties, rely on county governance to manage services. Special districts, often established for education, water, or fire protection, provide additional support for residents outside of municipal boundaries.

Councils of government in Oklahoma facilitate regional collaboration among municipalities and counties, addressing shared challenges such as economic development, transportation planning, and environmental protection.