Ryan, Oklahoma Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 26, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Ryan, Oklahoma is located in the southwestern region of the state. The city itself is relatively small with a population of just under 2,000 people. It is bordered by the towns of Rush Springs and Velma to the north and south respectively. The landscape is mostly flat with some rolling hills in the surrounding area. The climate in Ryan is typical for Oklahoma; hot and humid during summer months and mild winters with occasional snowfall.

Ryan has a rich history, having been established in 1891 as part of the Chickasaw Nation. It was named after John Ryan, an early settler who established a trading post near what would become Ryan’s downtown area. In 1909, Ryan became an incorporated town and was later designated as the county seat for Stephens County.

Politically, Ryan leans Republican with most elected officials being members of that party. There are also several organizations that promote civic engagement such as the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce which both have local chapters in town.

The economy in Ryan relies heavily on agriculture as well as oil production from nearby fields. There are also several small businesses located throughout town including restaurants, retail stores, and auto repair shops.

The school district for Ryan consists of three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school which serve students from Pre-K through 12th grade. All schools are accredited by the state education board and offer various extracurricular activities such as sports teams, clubs, choirs, theater productions, etc., for students to get involved in outside of academics.

There are several landmarks throughout town including a historic courthouse square which dates back to 1909 when it was built to serve as the county seat building for Stephens County; various churches such as First United Methodist Church which has been around since 1890; and several monuments honoring those who served their country during war times like World War I & II veterans memorials at Veterans Park or those who made significant contributions to society like The Hialeah Monument dedicated to local businessman WIlliam Hialeah who donated land for public use throughout his lifetime until his death in 1960 at age 97 .

Population: 894. Estimated population in July 2024: 854 (-4.5% change)
Males: 407 (45.5%), Females: 487 (54.5%)

Jefferson County

Zip code: 73565

Demographics

Median resident age: 42.2 years
Median household income: $20,855
Median house value: $21,700

Population by Race

Races in Ryan:

White Non-Hispanic (82.8%)
Hispanic (12.3%)
Other race (6.8%)
American Indian (4.6%)
Two or more races (1.6%)
Black (0.7%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: United States (12.2%), Irish (5.9%), German (4.8%), English (2.9%), French (2.5%), Scotch-Irish (1.3%).

Elevation: 900 feet

Land area: 0.9 square miles

Population by Education

Ryan, Oklahoma is a small town of just over 1,000 people. Located in the southwestern corner of Stephens County, the town was founded in the late 1800s by ranchers and farmers. Today, it serves as a quiet residential community with a close-knit atmosphere. The population of Ryan is largely comprised of white individuals, representing approximately 80% of the population. The remaining 20% consists primarily of African Americans and Native Americans. This diversity is reflected in the culture and traditions celebrated throughout town, which include rodeos and festivals featuring local music, food, and art. Despite its small size, Ryan has several amenities including two grocery stores, a diner, several churches, an elementary school and a post office. There are also several businesses located in the town center including a pharmacy and hardware store. The local economy revolves around agriculture and ranching but there are also several other industries such as manufacturing that provide job opportunities to residents. As with many rural towns in Oklahoma, Ryan has faced economic hardship over the years but its resilient citizens remain committed to preserving their small-town roots while looking towards the future with optimism.

For population 25 years and over in Ryan

High school or higher: 60.4%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.7%
Unemployed: 6.5%
Mean travel time to work: 22.0 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Ryan town

Never married: 17.1%
Now married: 56.7%
Separated: 2.7%
Widowed: 15.0%
Divorced: 8.6%

1.8% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -47 (-5.0%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Ryan:

JEFFERSON COUNTRY HOSPITAL (about 11 miles; WAURIKA, OK)
NOCONA GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 23 miles; NOCONA, TX)
CLAY COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 25 miles; HENRIETTA, TX)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Ryan:

SHEPPARD AFB/WICHITA FALLS MUNI (about 37 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Abbreviation: SPS)
LAWTON-FORT SILL REGIONAL (about 49 miles; LAWTON, OK; Abbreviation: LAW)
HENRY POST AAF (about 53 miles; FORT SILL, OK; Abbreviation: FSI)

Other public-use airports nearest to Ryan:

NOCONA (about 24 miles; NOCONA, TX; Abbreviation: F48)
HALLIBURTON FIELD (about 31 miles; DUNCAN, OK; Abbreviation: DUC)
BOWIE MUNI (about 32 miles; BOWIE, TX; Abbreviation: 0F2)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Ryan:

MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 43 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,619)
CAMERON UNIVERSITY (about 54 miles; LAWTON, OK; Full-time enrollment: 3,529)
NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE (about 63 miles; GAINESVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 3,018)
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS (about 79 miles; DENTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 21,673)
TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY (about 81 miles; DENTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,746)
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA NORMAN CAMPUS (about 89 miles; NORMAN, OK; Full-time enrollment: 20,154)
GRAYSON COUNTY COLLEGE (about 97 miles; DENISON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,082)

Schools

Public high school in Ryan:

RYAN HS (Students: 86; Location: HWY 32 EAST; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Ryan:

RYAN ES (Students: 164; Location: HWY 32 EAST; Grades: PK – 08)