Edmond Oklahoma Relocation

Edmond Oklahoma Living

Edmond is located 13 miles north of downtown Oklahoma City in the center of the state. Major interstate highways I-35 and I-44 serve Edmond and Interstate 40 is located 14 miles to the south. U.S. highway 77 also serves the community. The population of Edmond is approximately 69,000. Government Edmond is a chartered Manager-Council form of government. The mayor is elected at-large. Council members are elected from four Wards.
In the early 1880s, the Edmond area was undisturbed prairie with grazing herds of bison, black bears roaming the wooded creeks, and occasional bands of Indians hunting parties.
In 1887, after receiving a grant from Congress, the Santa Fe Railroad completed a north-south line between Arkansas City, Kansas and Gainesville, Texas. At mile 103 on this line, a coaling and watering station was built because of the availability of a “good” water spring. The station was initially called “Summit” as the highest point of the railroad grade between Cimarron and North Canadian Rivers; but prior to July 14, 1887, the official name of Edmond was filed by Santa Fe with the government.
The town of Edmond sprang up overnight during the great Oklahoma land run on April 22, 1889, when homesteads were staked around the Santa Fe station. The original plat for Edmond was prepared by the Seminole Town and Development Company, a newly formed syndicate with ties to the railroad. Many of the original streets were named for men associated with either the Santa Fe Railroad or the town syndicate. The first mayor and city officers were elected in May 1889, and Edmond’s population was 394 in the 1890 census.
On December 24, 1890, the Oklahoma territorial Governor signed a bill establishing Edmond as the site of a Normal School, which would provide two years of higher education for teachers. The first class was held in a church until the Normal School building was ready for occupancy in January of 1893.
The agriculture and trading center economy revolved around the railroad. During the early 1900s, trains stopped at Edmond bringing hardware, machines and farm implements and carrying away wheat, flour, cotton, corn, and cattle. In 1919, the Central Normal School was raised to the rank of a four-year teacher’s college; and in 1939, Central State College was authorized to grant degrees in other disciplines. Today, the University of Central Oklahoma remains a dynamic and integral part of our community.
Today Edmond is a fast-growing and prosperous city of more than 69,000 people. Edmond was selected the most outstanding community in its class for five years in a row by the State Chamber of Commerce and State Industrial Development Department.
Edmond stands astride the mainline of the Santa Fe Railroad and at the crossroads of I-35 and I-44, giving it a unique access to the major transportation arteries of the nation.
Very few, if any, cities can match the overall quality of life found in Edmond, Oklahoma. Comprising 94 square miles and located next to Oklahoma City, Edmond enjoys the friendliness of a small community, but is able to take advantage of the big city conveniences.
Why is Edmond known as the “prestige address” for living and working? The answer is easy. Edmond has beautifully landscaped home sites and neighborhoods, excellent schools, and the finest recreational facilities and access to many area attractions. It is hard to believe one city can have so many positive factors, yet Edmond does.



City: Edmond
County: Oklahoma

Population
Data from the 2000 population census place the Edmond population at 68,315. This is an increase of 30.6% from 1990. 10.3% of the population of Oklahoma County resides in Edmond.

Percent Distributions of the Population by Race --2000
In Edmond, 86.6% of the population is White, 4.0% is Black, 2.3% is American Indian, and the remaining 7.1% is comprised of all other races.

Labor Force
The Oklahoma County average Labor Force was 334,201 in 2000. Participation rate in the county labor force constitutes 76.26% of males and 58.79% of females. (*See footnote on the last page for more info on labor.)

Climate
The average January temperature in Edmond is 41 degrees Fahrenheit with a July temperature average of 90 degrees. The area receives an average of 31 inches of rain annually and 10 inches of snow. The average number of flying days is 334.

General Government
Edmond has a Chartered Manager/Council type of government. There is a comprehensive city plan and zoning. The city provides garbage service and municipal electricity.

Public Safety
Edmond has 83 full-time fire personnel and 83 full-time police officers. The city's fire insurance has a 4 classification while the adjacent area has a 9 classification.

Utility Providers
Utility services are provided primarily by the following carriers:
Electric - Municipal (Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority)
Natural Gas - Oklahoma Natural Gas Company
Telephone - Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.

Water System

Sanitation and Sewage Treatment
Edmond has an extended aeration/trickling filter digester system of treatment. The city's sewage treatment system is currently operating at approximately 97% of capacity.
Sewer Treatment Capacity and Load

Express and Motor Freight
There are four express motor freight companies with terminals in Edmond. More than 40 additional carriers serve the city on an as-needed basis.

Distance to Major Cities
Oklahoma is centrally located in the U.S. The distance from Edmond to the following cities is:

Air Transportation
The nearest commercial airport is 20 miles from Edmond in Oklahoma City.This airport is a full service field with three runways, the longest having a total runway length of 10,000 feet. There are at least 7 major commercial airlines operating out of Will Rogers Airport. There are 20 air freight companies operating there.

Water Transportation
The nearest water transportation is the Port of Catoosa. It is 100 miles from Edmond and has a channel depth of 9 feet. It is connected via the Arkansas River to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.

Road System
Edmond is located on I-35 and is intersected by US 77 and SH 66. I-44 is approximately 2 miles south and I-40 is approximately 10 miles south.

Rail and Bus Availability
Edmond has 4 intrastate and interstate bus carriers. Rail service is provided by Santa Fe railroad with at least one local train daily.

Accommodations
The city has nearly 4 motels, 3 hotels and one "Bed & Breakfast" with more than 512 rooms. The largest banquet room in Edmond seats 600.

Housing
Edmond has 26,106 dwellings; 61.8% are owner-occupied, 29.3% are renter-occupied.

Places of Worship
Edmond residents have a choice from 57 Protestant churches and 2 Catholic churches, one Mormon, one Islam, and one Bah'A'I'.

Media
Edmond has 2 daily papers, access to 50 radio stations and 7 television stations as well as cable.

Tax Structure
Edmond's property tax rate is $105.55 per $1,000 assessed value for the year 2000. The fractional assessment percentage for real property is 11.00% and for personal property; 14.50%. The property tax is distributed as follows:

Bond Indebtedness

Sales Taxes
The city has a sales tax rate of 2.875%. In addition, the state levies a 4.5% tax rate on sales. Oklahoma County levies no sales tax.

Commercial Services
Within the city there are machine shops, tool and die services, and electric and motor repair services.

Educational Resources
Edmond has 24 primary and secondary schools with approximately 16,392 students and 1,024 teachers.

Located within Edmond proper is the University of Central Oklahoma, the third largest university in the state. Also located in Edmond is the private 4-year Oklahoma Christian University. Within the metro area are the University of Oklahoma, Southern Nazarene University, Rose State College, Oklahoma State University at Oklahoma City and Oklahoma City Community College. Oklahoma State University in Stillwater is 56 miles from Edmond. Two state-run career/technology schools, Francis Tuttle Technology Center and Metro Tech, are also found within distance of Edmond.

There is a public library in Edmond with nearly 80,000 volumes available to the townspeople.

Telecommunications
Edmond has 42 miles of fiber optic cable with several point of presence available. There is one analog central office.

Medical Facilities and Medical Practitioners
Edmond is home to 1 hospital with 139 beds. There are 14 clinics in Edmond and 6 nursing homes with 500 beds. Practicing in the Edmond area are 150 medical doctors, 7 osteopaths, 10 podiatrists, 18 chiropractors, 61 dentists and 20 optometrists.

Financial Institutions
Edmond has three local community banks, one credit union and several state/multi-national banks totaling deposits of approximately $500 million.

Industrial Financing
The Oklahoma Finance Authorities (OFA) provide low interest financing through the issuance of general obligation bonds. The loans are established at 300 basis points over cost. In a first mortgage position the loan can be up to $1.25 million. Many Oklahoma counties have voted approval of General Obligation Limited-Tax Bonds for economic development. The amount of bonds the counties can issue is limited to no more than could be retired by a special tax levy of 5 mills. The proceeds of the bonds are generally used to acquire or build a facility associated with the development project. Lease income from the facility is used to amortize the bonds.

Recreational Facilities
The citizens of Edmond have access to a number of recreational facilities.

Other Attractions
Edmond is close to The Lazy E Arena, Frontier City Amusement Park, White Water and Remington Park Race Track.

Business
The employment and establishment data reported in the following table is for Oklahoma County.
It should be noted that this employment data excludes some types of employment, namely government and railroad employment. (Government employment in the Oklahoma City area is substantial, including the state capitol, Tinker Air Force Base and the FAA Aeronautical Center.)

Major Employers

Other Community Information

Edmond has been re-certified as a Certified City.

Local Development Organization