Moving to Roland, Oklahoma

by btobers · Published June 26, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Roland, Oklahoma is a small city located in the Sequoyah County of Oklahoma. It is situated on the Arkansas River, near the Arkansas/Oklahoma border. The city has a population of just over 2,000 people and covers an area of about 3.4 square miles. The climate in Roland is mild and temperate, with temperatures ranging from mild winters to hot summers.

The history of Roland dates back to 1873 when it was founded as a trading post along the Arkansas River by John T. McClellan who named it after his son-in-law, Roland Reynolds. The town grew rapidly after it was granted a post office in 1874 and eventually incorporated as a village in 1895.

Politically, Roland is part of the Sequoyah County government which provides services such as police protection, fire protection and public works. In addition to this, there are several locally elected officials that manage the day-to-day operations of the city including mayor and council members.

The economy of Roland relies heavily on agriculture and tourism due to its location near two major rivers – Arkansas and Poteau – as well as its proximity to Fort Smith National Historic Site which attracts many visitors each year from across the United States. There are also several small businesses that operate within the city limits including restaurants, retail stores, gas stations and more.

Roland is served by two public schools: Roland Elementary School for kindergarten through fifth grade students; and Roland High School for sixth through twelfth grade students. Both schools offer an excellent education with a focus on preparing students for college or career success after graduation.

Finally, one of the most recognizable landmarks in Roland is McClellan’s Trading Post which was built in 1873 by John T McClellan himself; this trading post still stands today at its original location along Main Street in downtown Roland and serves as a reminder of the town’s rich history and heritage. Other notable landmarks include Fort Smith National Historic Site located just outside town; Beasley Park which offers recreational activities such as tennis courts and playgrounds; as well as several historical buildings scattered throughout downtown that offer insight into what life was like during earlier times in this area of Oklahoma.

Population: 2,842. Estimated population in July 2024: 3,110 (+9.4% change)
Males: 1,347 (47.4%), Females: 1,495 (52.6%)

Sequoyah County

Zip code: 74954

Demographics

Median resident age: 31.3 years
Median household income: $29,015
Median house value: $61,400

Population by Race

Races in Roland:

White Non-Hispanic (72.8%)
American Indian (19.8%)
Two or more races (9.4%)
Black (4.6%)
Hispanic (3.1%)
Other race (0.8%)

Ancestries: United States (10.7%), Irish (10.0%), German (9.8%), English (4.2%), Dutch (2.0%).

Land area: 2.6 square miles

Population by Education

Roland, Oklahoma is a small town located in Sequoyah County, with a population of just over 2,000 people. The majority of the population is comprised of Native American and Hispanic residents. The median age of the town’s population is 34.3 years old, with almost 30% of the population being under the age of 18. About 20% of the population is over 65 years old. The town has a very diverse ethnic makeup with many different religious beliefs represented in its population. There are also a variety of different occupations held by its citizens ranging from farming and manufacturing to retail and healthcare services. Education is also important to the community as evidenced by the many elementary and secondary schools located in Roland as well as nearby higher education institutions such as Northeastern State University and Carl Albert State College. The town prides itself on its strong sense of community spirit, which can be seen in their annual festivals and events such as their Fourth of July fireworks show or their annual Easter Egg Hunt. Overall, Roland is a small but vibrant community that fosters strong relationships between its citizens and promotes growth through education and business opportunities for all who choose to call it home.

For population 25 years and over in Roland

High school or higher: 73.7%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.7%
Graduate or professional degree: 1.7%
Unemployed: 2.6%
Mean travel time to work: 18.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Roland town

Never married: 17.9%
Now married: 60.6%
Separated: 1.5%
Widowed: 5.9%
Divorced: 14.2%

1.1% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +343 (+13.7%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Roland:

HEALTHSOUTH REHAB HOSP OF FORT SMITH (about 8 miles; FORT SMITH, AR)
SPARKS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 8 miles; FORT SMITH, AR)
CRAWFORD COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 12 miles; VAN BUREN, AR)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Roland:

FORT SMITH REGIONAL (about 12 miles; FORT SMITH, AR; Abbreviation: FSM)
DRAKE FIELD (about 47 miles; FAYETTEVILLE, AR; Abbreviation: FYV)
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS RGNL (about 61 miles; FAYETTEVILLE/SPRINGDALE/, AR; Abbreviation: XNA)

Other public-use airports nearest to Roland:

SALLISAW MUNI (about 20 miles; SALLISAW, OK; Abbreviation: JSV)
STILWELL/CHEROKEE NATION (about 25 miles; STILWELL, OK; Abbreviation: O11)
ROBERT S KERR (about 29 miles; POTEAU, OK; Abbreviation: RKR)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Roland:

WESTARK COLLEGE (about 25 miles; FT SMITH, AR; Full-time enrollment: 3,472)
NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 47 miles; TAHLEQUAH, OK; Full-time enrollment: 6,610)
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS MAIN CAMPUS (about 51 miles; FAYETTEVILLE, AR; Full-time enrollment: 13,324)
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 68 miles; BENTONVILLE, AR; Full-time enrollment: 2,197)
ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY (about 96 miles; RUSSELLVILLE, AR; Full-time enrollment: 4,450)
TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 109 miles; TULSA, OK; Full-time enrollment: 8,727)
ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY (about 109 miles; TULSA, OK; Full-time enrollment: 3,309)

Schools

Public high school in Roland:

ROLAND HS (Students: 323; Location: 400 RANGER BOULEVARD; Grades: 10 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Roland:

ROLAND ES (Students: 658; Location: 400 RANGER BOULEVARD; Grades: PK – 06)
LIBERTY ES (Students: 307; Location: 5 MILES N OF ROLAND ON SWON RD; Grades: PK – 08)
ROLAND JHS (Students: 285; Location: 400 RANGER BOULEVARD; Grades: 07 – 09)