Norman, Oklahoma

Norman, Oklahoma
source
Name	Norman, Oklahoma
Settlement type	City

Norman, Oklahoma is a city located in the South Central United States, within Cleveland County, Oklahoma, and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to the University of Oklahoma, which is one of the largest AAU institutions in the United States, and is also near the National Weather Center, the National Severe Storms Laboratory, and the FAA's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. Norman is situated near the Canadian River, and is close to several major highways, including Interstate 35 and U.S. Route 77. The city is also near the Will Rogers World Airport, which is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Geography

Norman is located in the Great Plains region of the United States, and is situated in the Cleveland County area. The city is near the Canadian River, which flows into the Arkansas River, and is also close to several major lakes, including Lake Thunderbird and Lake Texoma. Norman is surrounded by several cities, including Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Moore, Oklahoma, and Noble, Oklahoma, and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is also near several major highways, including Interstate 35, U.S. Route 77, and U.S. Route 62, and is close to the Will Rogers Turnpike and the Indian Nation Turnpike. Norman is home to the University of Oklahoma, which is one of the largest AAU institutions in the United States, and is also near the National Weather Center, the National Severe Storms Laboratory, and the FAA's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, as well as the NOAA's Storm Prediction Center and the NIST's NIST facility.

History

The area that is now Norman was originally settled by the Caddo and Pawnee tribes, and was later claimed by the United States through the Louisiana Purchase. The city was founded in 1889, during the Land Run of 1889, and was named after Abner Norman, a U.S. Department of the Interior official. Norman was officially incorporated in 1890, and quickly grew into a major city in the Oklahoma Territory. The city played an important role in the American Civil Rights Movement, with the University of Oklahoma being one of the first institutions in the South to admit African American students, including George McLaurin and Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher. Norman is also home to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, which features a collection of Native American art and American art, including works by Frederic Remington and Thomas Hart Benton. The city is also near the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and the Fort Sill United States Army base.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the city of Norman had a population of over 110,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in the state of Oklahoma. The city has a diverse population, with a mix of White, African American, Native American, and Asian American residents. Norman is also home to a large student population, with the University of Oklahoma being one of the largest AAU institutions in the United States. The city has a high percentage of residents with a Bachelor's degree or higher, and is also home to a number of major employers, including the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, the Norman Regional Health System, and the City of Norman government. Norman is also near the Tinker Air Force Base, the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, and the FBI's Oklahoma City Field Office.

Economy

The economy of Norman is driven by a mix of industries, including Education, Healthcare, and Technology. The University of Oklahoma is the largest employer in the city, and is also a major driver of the local economy. Norman is also home to a number of major healthcare providers, including the Norman Regional Health System and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The city is also a hub for the Technology industry, with a number of major companies, including Dell, IBM, and AT&T, having operations in the area. Norman is also near the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is home to a number of major industries, including Energy, Aerospace, and Biotechnology. The city is also close to the Port of Catoosa, the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, and the Kansas City Southern Railway.

Education

Norman is home to the University of Oklahoma, which is one of the largest AAU institutions in the United States. The university is a major driver of the local economy, and is also a hub for Research and Innovation. Norman is also home to a number of other educational institutions, including Norman Public Schools, Moore Public Schools, and Little Axe Public Schools. The city is also near the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is home to a number of other major educational institutions, including Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City, University of Central Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Christian University. Norman is also close to the University of Tulsa, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.

Culture

Norman has a rich cultural scene, with a number of major attractions, including the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, the Norman Museum of Natural History, and the University of Oklahoma Museum of Art. The city is also home to a number of festivals and events, including the Norman Music Festival, the May Fair Arts Festival, and the University of Oklahoma Homecoming celebration. Norman is also near the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is home to a number of other major cultural attractions, including the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. The city is also close to the Chesapeake Energy Arena, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, and the Science Museum Oklahoma. Norman is also home to the Norman Philharmonic, the University of Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, and the Oklahoma Festival Ballet.

Category: Cities in Oklahoma