Moving to Ripley, Oklahoma
Ripley, Oklahoma is a small town located in Payne County, with a population of just over 1,000 people. The geography of Ripley can be described as flat and prairie-like. The climate is generally warm and dry, with temperatures ranging from the upper 80s in the summer to the low 20s in the winter.
Ripley has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1895. The town was originally established by Cherokee Indians who settled near what is now known as the Cimarron River. Over the years, Ripley has grown and changed, but it still retains its small-town charm and atmosphere.
Politically speaking, Ripley is known for being a conservative community with strong ties to the Republican Party. The economy of Ripley is largely based on agriculture and ranching, though there are also some businesses located within the city limits.
Ripley has several schools within its city limits including two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. All of these schools are part of the Cimarron Valley School District which serves students from surrounding towns as well as those living in Ripley itself.
Ripley also has several landmarks that attract visitors from around Oklahoma and beyond. One such landmark is the historic Cimarron River Bridge which was built in 1910 and spans over 1 mile across the river valley below it. Other attractions include Pioneer Town which offers visitors a glimpse into what life was like during pioneer days; Twin Hills Golf Course which offers an 18-hole course; and Lake Carl Blackwell State Park which features camping sites as well as fishing opportunities along its shoreline.
Population: 444. Estimated population in July 2024: 426 (-4.1% change)
Males: 208 (46.8%), Females: 236 (53.2%)
Payne County
Zip code: 74062
Demographics
Median resident age: 32.1 years
Median household income: $24,643
Median house value: $40,300
Population by Race
Races in Ripley:
- White Non-Hispanic (88.3%)
- American Indian (9.7%)
- Two or more races (5.4%)
- Hispanic (1.4%)
Ancestries: United States (22.5%), German (10.1%), English (9.7%), Irish (8.6%), Dutch (7.0%), Welsh (1.6%).
Elevation: 840 feet
Land area: 0.4 square miles
Population by Education
Ripley, Oklahoma is a small town located in Payne County. According to the 2010 census, the population of Ripley is 1,384 people. The town has a total area of 0.7 square miles and a population density of 1,976 people per square mile. The median household income for Ripley is $41,500. The median age is 38 years old and the gender makeup of the town is nearly split evenly between males and females.
The cost of living in Ripley is low compared to other areas in Oklahoma. The average housing cost for a single-family home in Ripley is around $85,000 which is much lower than the national average of $231,000. Renters can expect to pay around $550 per month for an apartment or house in Ripley which is also lower than the national average of $1,400 per month. Utilities are also relatively low with electricity costing an average of $90 per month which again is lower than the national average of $114 per month. Groceries and healthcare costs are also lower than other parts of Oklahoma with groceries costing about 10% less and healthcare being about 5% less expensive than other areas in the state.
For population 25 years and over in Ripley
- High school or higher: 74.2%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.3%
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.4%
- Unemployed: 2.7%
- Mean travel time to work: 26.9 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Ripley town
- Never married: 26.3%
- Now married: 52.5%
- Separated: 1.6%
- Widowed: 8.4%
- Divorced: 11.3%
0.5% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: +68 (+18.1%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Ripley:
- CUSHING MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL (about 11 miles; CUSHING, OK)
- STILLWATER MEDICAL CENTER (about 12 miles; STILLWATER, OK)
- STROUD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 26 miles; STROUD, OK)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Ripley:
- STILLWATER RGNL (about 16 miles; STILLWATER, OK; Abbreviation: SWO)
- TINKER AFB (about 54 miles; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; Abbreviation: TIK)
- WILL ROGERS WORLD (about 65 miles; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; Abbreviation: OKC)
Other public-use airports nearest to Ripley:
- CUSHING MUNI (about 12 miles; CUSHING, OK; Abbreviation: CUH)
- CHANDLER MUNI (about 22 miles; CHANDLER, OK; Abbreviation: CQB)
- STROUD MUNI (about 24 miles; STROUD, OK; Abbreviation: SUD)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Ripley:
- OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 8 miles; STILLWATER, OK; Full-time enrollment: 16,937)
- LANGSTON UNIVERSITY (about 25 miles; LANGSTON, OK; Full-time enrollment: 2,324)
- UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA (about 45 miles; EDMOND, OK; Full-time enrollment: 10,926)
- ROSE STATE COLLEGE (about 52 miles; MIDWEST CITY, OK; Full-time enrollment: 4,067)
- UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER (about 56 miles; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; Full-time enrollment: 2,447)
- OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY (about 58 miles; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; Full-time enrollment: 3,234)
- OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY-OKLAHOMA CITY (about 60 miles; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; Full-time enrollment: 2,164)
Schools
Public high school in Ripley:
- RIPLEY HS (Students: 131; Location: 403 E. COOK ST.; Grades: 09 – 12)
Public primary/middle school in Ripley:
- RIPLEY ES (Students: 285; Location: 403 EAST COOK STREET; Grades: PK – 08)