Moving to Perry, Oklahoma

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

Perry, Oklahoma is a small city located in Noble County near the state’s northern border. The city has a population of around 7,000 people, according to the most recent census. The geography of Perry is mostly flat plains and rolling hills with some wooded areas and some wetlands. The climate in Perry is generally mild, with hot summers and cold winters.

The history of Perry goes back to its founding in 1891 by two brothers, James and Edgar Perry. They named the town after their family name, and it quickly grew into a bustling community. In 1912, an oil boom brought hundreds of new residents to the area and increased the population dramatically. Over time, Perry developed into an agricultural center with cotton being one of its primary crops.

In terms of politics, Perry is part of Oklahoma’s 5th congressional district which is currently held by Republican Representative Stephanie Bice. The city also has a mayor-council form of government with five council members who are elected by citizens every four years.

The economy in Perry is primarily based on agriculture and manufacturing. There are several large farms in the area as well as several factories that specialize in food processing and electronics production. Additionally, there are many small businesses that serve the local community such as restaurants, retail stores, auto repair shops, etc.

When it comes to schools, there are several public schools located within the city limits as well as several nearby private schools for those looking for more specialized education options. Additionally, there are multiple colleges within driving distance from Perry such as Oklahoma State University – Stillwater Campus or University of Central Oklahoma – Edmond Campus that students can choose from if they want to pursue higher education opportunities outside of their hometowns boundaries.

Finally, some notable landmarks located within or near the city include Lake McMurtry which offers plenty of recreational activities such as fishing or boating; The Chisholm Trail Museum which showcases artifacts from when cattle were driven through this area during the late 1800s; or Cherokee Strip Museum which tells stories about how this region was settled during 1893 Land Run events that opened up unassigned lands to settlers for free homesteads claimings .

Population: 5,230. Estimated population in July 2024: 5,105 (-2.4% change)
Males: 2,512 (48.0%), Females: 2,718 (52.0%)

Noble County

Zip code: 73077

Demographics

Median resident age: 38.3 years
Median household income: $30,653
Median house value: $53,600

Population by Race

Races in Perry:

White Non-Hispanic (88.9%)
American Indian (5.3%)
Black (3.1%)
Two or more races (2.7%)
Hispanic (1.8%)
Other race (0.6%)

Ancestries: German (21.2%), United States (19.1%), Irish (10.7%), English (7.3%), Dutch (5.8%), French (4.8%).

Elevation: 1000 feet

Land area: 6.1 square miles

Population by Education

Perry, Oklahoma is a small city of just over 5,000 people located in the state’s northern panhandle. The city boasts a diverse population with families from all walks of life. The median age is 33, with nearly 28% of the population under 18 years old. Perry’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average and the median household income is around $40,000 per year.

Living costs in Perry are below average compared to other cities in Oklahoma. Rent and utilities are relatively inexpensive and the cost of groceries is lower than most other cities in the state. There are plenty of affordable housing options for those looking to move to Perry, ranging from single family homes to apartments and condos. The cost of living index for Perry is 92, which means that it’s 8% lower than the national average. This makes it an attractive option for those looking for an affordable place to live without sacrificing amenities or quality of life. Public transportation options are limited but there are several bike paths throughout town as well as multiple bus routes that connect residents to nearby towns and cities.

For population 25 years and over in Perry

High school or higher: 81.6%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.6%
Unemployed: 2.9%
Mean travel time to work: 16.3 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Perry city

Never married: 16.6%
Now married: 57.3%
Separated: 1.4%
Widowed: 11.5%
Divorced: 13.2%

0.6% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -17 (-0.3%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Perry:

PERRY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (501 14TH STREET)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Perry:

STILLWATER MEDICAL CENTER (about 23 miles; STILLWATER, OK)
VIA CHRISTI OKLA REG MEDICAL CENTER (about 30 miles; PONCA CITY, OK)
LOGAN HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER (about 32 miles; GUTHRIE, OK)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Perry:

STILLWATER RGNL (about 18 miles; STILLWATER, OK; Abbreviation: SWO)
VANCE AFB (about 43 miles; ENID, OK; Abbreviation: END)
TINKER AFB (about 62 miles; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; Abbreviation: TIK)

Other public-use airports nearest to Perry:

PERRY MUNI (about 7 miles; PERRY, OK; Abbreviation: F22)
BLACKWELL-TONKAWA MUNI (about 31 miles; BLACKWELL, OK; Abbreviation: 4O3)
GUTHRIE MUNI (about 33 miles; GUTHRIE, OK; Abbreviation: GOK)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Perry:

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY (about 25 miles; LANGSTON, OK; Full-time enrollment: 2,324)
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 26 miles; STILLWATER, OK; Full-time enrollment: 16,937)
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA (about 44 miles; EDMOND, OK; Full-time enrollment: 10,926)
COWLEY COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 57 miles; ARKANSAS CITY, KS; Full-time enrollment: 2,392)
ROSE STATE COLLEGE (about 58 miles; MIDWEST CITY, OK; Full-time enrollment: 4,067)
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER (about 58 miles; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; Full-time enrollment: 2,447)
OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY (about 59 miles; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; Full-time enrollment: 3,234)

Schools

Public high school in Perry:

PERRY HS (Students: 366; Location: 900 FIR AVENUE; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Perry:

PERRY ES (Students: 609; Location: 1207 IVANHOE STREET; Grades: PK – 05)
PERRY MS (Students: 246; Location: 1303 15TH ST.; Grades: 06 – 08)

Libraries

Library in Perry:

PERRY CARNEGIE LIBRARY (Operating income: $151,180; Location: 302 N 7TH ST; 27,682 books; 332 audio materials; 1,124 video materials; 55 serial subscriptions)