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White majority with growing military and Hispanic presence

Enid is predominantly non-Hispanic white, with Hispanics growing in agribusiness and diversity brought by Vance AFB.

About 75% of residents are non-Hispanic white. Hispanics represent roughly 15% and are growing alongside the agricultural sector, especially Mexicans. Native Americans have a historical presence connected to the Cherokee, Otoe-Missouria, and other nations of the region.

Vance AFB brings military families of varied backgrounds: African Americans, Filipinos, Koreans, and others. Asians represent a smaller but visible share. The Marshallese community has grown in some schools and neighborhoods.

English is the dominant language, with Spanish in second place. Tagalog, Marshallese, Vietnamese, and Korean appear in specific communities. Religiously, the city falls within the Bible Belt: evangelical Protestantism dominates, with Catholicism growing among Hispanics.

Languages spoken
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Marshallese
  • Tagalog
  • Korean
  • +1 more
Main religions
  • Protestant and Baptist Christianity
  • Catholicism
  • Christianity among Marshallese
  • Native American spiritualities
  • Islam

One of the lowest costs of living in the state

Enid offers one of the lowest costs of living in Oklahoma, with very low rents and homes at highly accessible prices.

Apartment rent in decent buildings ranks among the lowest in the state. Purchasing a home in established neighborhoods is feasible on an entry-level salary. Historic homes in McKinley Park and on streets near downtown are priced in ways that seem unusually affordable.

Walmart, Aldi, Crest Foods, and Homeland supermarkets cover daily grocery needs. Vance AFB has a commissary for eligible military personnel. Local restaurants include steakhouses, cafeterias, and some Vietnamese and Mexican establishments.

Combined sales taxes run above 9%. Electricity and gas are inexpensive. For military families, BAH covers a significant portion of rent. Overall, wages stretch far in Enid.

85Cost index (US = 100)15% below US average
CategorySingleCoupleFamily (2 + 2)
iHousing$1,107$1,278$1,618
iFood$324$647$1,175
iTransport$426$724$937
iHealthcare$238$477$894
iChildcare$1,549
iOther$724$1,303$1,831
Monthly total$2,819$4,429$8,004

Source: U.S. BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2023 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2023 · Estimates in USD, monthly.

Affordable homes, market driven by military and local families

Enid offers affordable homes in established neighborhoods and a consistent rental supply for military families.

McKinley Park, Government Springs, and Forrest Park have historic homes and houses from the 1950s through the 1990s, generally well maintained. Newer neighborhoods on the west and north sides of the city offer recent construction with tornado shelters.

Apartments for military families are concentrated along Garriott Road and Owen K. Garriott Road, near Vance AFB. Vance AFB also has on-base housing for eligible military personnel.

The market is highly accessible, with modest homes at low prices. Roof and window inspections are essential given the history of tornadoes and hail. For investors, renting to military personnel is a stable and predictable market.

Recommended neighborhoods
  • McKinley Park
  • Government Springs
  • Forrest Park
  • Cherokee Strip
  • Garriott Road corridor
  • +1 more

Vance AFB, agribusiness, and energy

Enid's employment centers on Vance AFB, agribusiness (grains and food), and energy (oil and gas), with healthcare and education as complementary sectors.

Vance Air Force Base employs military personnel, civilians, and contractors (including CSC, now DXC, in flight training). Continental Resources, Koch Industries (with processing facilities), and other oil and gas companies account for technical and administrative positions.

Advance Pierre Foods (frozen foods) and agribusiness companies (grains, livestock) anchor manufacturing. Integris Bass Baptist Health Center and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center are major healthcare employers. Northern Oklahoma College and Northwestern Oklahoma State University (in nearby Alva) contribute to education employment.

For immigrants, positions in agribusiness and food processing accommodate entry without fluent English. Vance AFB has open civilian positions, though many require U.S. citizenship. Energy companies sponsor H-1B visas for technical profiles.

Dominant sectors
  • Defense (Vance AFB)
  • Agribusiness (grains, livestock, food)
  • Energy (oil and gas)
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • +1 more
Major employers
  • Vance Air Force Base
  • Advance Pierre Foods
  • Continental Resources
  • Koch Industries
  • Integris Bass Baptist Health Center
  • +3 more

Enid Public Schools and Northern Oklahoma College

Enid Public Schools covers K-12 education, and Northern Oklahoma College offers two-year higher education programs.

Enid Public Schools has Enid High School as its main secondary school, with strong advanced academic, athletic, and arts programs. The district serves many military dependents from Vance AFB.

Northern Oklahoma College (NOC) operates campuses in Enid and Tonkawa, offering two-year programs in health, education, and sciences. Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva is about one hour away, with undergraduate programs. Phillips University, a former local institution, closed, but its legacy continues through Northern Oklahoma College.

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) serves military dependents at Vance AFB. Private schools such as Cornerstone Christian School supplement the available options.

Notable universities
  • Northern Oklahoma College — Enid
  • Northwestern Oklahoma State University (Alva, nearby)
  • Autry Technology Center
  • Oklahoma State University (nearby)

Two major hospitals for northwestern Oklahoma

Enid serves as the medical hub of northwestern Oklahoma, with Integris Bass Baptist Health Center and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center as the main hospitals.

Integris Bass Baptist Health Center and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center serve the entire northwestern region of the state, offering emergency, surgical, and specialized care. For high-complexity cases, OU Medical Center in OKC is about 1.5 hours away.

The 71st Medical Support Squadron at Vance AFB serves active military personnel and dependents. TRICARE covers military families. Community clinics serve uninsured populations on an income-based sliding scale.

SoonerCare (Oklahoma's Medicaid program) covers those who qualify. The Health Insurance Marketplace provides individual coverage options. CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart pharmacies handle minor urgent care needs.

Healthcare index56.0 / 100
  • Life expectancyyears at birth
    78.4yrs
  • Doctors per 1kpracticing physicians
    3.7
  • Health spendper capita, per year
    $13,473
  • Public systemoverall quality rating
    Fair

Quiet city with active community life

Enid has relatively low crime rates for a city of its size, with organized neighborhoods and active policing.

Residential neighborhoods such as McKinley Park, Government Springs, and Forrest Park have low crime rates. Vance AFB is one of the safest areas in the state, with controlled access and regular patrols.

Vehicle theft from unlocked cars and occasional break-ins are the most common crimes. There are no broadly dangerous areas, but isolated stretches along Owen K. Garriott Road and some industrial zones warrant attention at night.

Tornadoes are a significant concern in spring, as throughout Oklahoma. Hailstorms cause damage on a regular basis. Sirens are reliable and tornado shelter culture is well established in the region.

Safer neighborhoods
  • McKinley Park
  • Government Springs
  • Forrest Park
  • Cherokee Strip
  • Vance AFB (military area)
  • New neighborhoods on the west and north sides
Areas to avoid
  • Isolated stretches of Owen K. Garriott Road at night
  • Industrial areas to the south after closing hours
  • Deserted commercial parking lots at night

Car-dependent city with a regional airport

Enid relies on personal vehicles, has a regional airport with flights to nearby hubs, and is about 1.5 hours from Will Rogers World Airport in OKC.

US-412, US-81, and US-64 run through Enid, connecting to Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Kansas. Enid Woodring Regional Airport (WDG) serves general aviation. Will Rogers World Airport in OKC is about 1.5 hours away for commercial flights.

The Bus, operated by Enid Public Transit, provides basic urban routes serving primarily seniors and residents without vehicles. Vance AFB has internal military transportation. Nearly every resident depends on a personal vehicle.

Dedicated bike lanes exist in parks and along some avenues, but the infrastructure is limited. For work commutes, a car remains necessary in almost all cases.

Airports
  • WDG: Enid Woodring Regional Airport (general aviation)
  • END: Vance Air Force Base (military)
  • OKC: Will Rogers World Airport (about 1.5 hours away for commercial flights)

What the Climate is Like Living in Enid

Hot continental climate on the plains of northern Oklahoma, with very hot summers exceeding 95°F, short cold winters, and severe storms in spring.

Summer in Enid is intense. From June through September, highs regularly exceed 95°F for weeks at a time, and the plains wind amplifies the heat. Central air conditioning is standard, and residents shift outdoor activities to early morning or after sunset.

Winter is short but can bring strong cold fronts from the north. Between December and February, highs range from 45 to 52°F and lows can drop to 23 to 34°F. The city accumulates 12 to 20 inches of snow per year. Gas heating is the norm.

Spring brings severe storms and occasional tornadoes. Enid sits in the heart of Tornado Alley, so knowing shelter routines during weather alerts is part of local culture. Newcomers are advised to download the NWS alert app and locate their home shelter within the first few days of arrival.

Sunny days / year234 days
Avg high (°F)
  • 63°J
  • 71°F
  • 79°M
  • 87°A
  • 89°M
  • 101°J
  • 104°J
  • 103°A
  • 100°S
  • 91°O
  • 75°N
  • 69°D
Avg low (°F)
  • 18°J
  • 10°F
  • 20°M
  • 31°A
  • 42°M
  • 56°J
  • 64°J
  • 63°A
  • 55°S
  • 29°O
  • 21°N
  • 18°D
Rainfall (")
  • 2"J
  • 1"F
  • 3"M
  • 2"A
  • 7"M
  • 4"J
  • 4"J
  • 3"A
  • 2"S
  • 3"O
  • 2"N
  • 2"D

Agricultural and military culture with Cherokee Strip heritage

Enid celebrates the Cherokee Strip Land Run heritage, carries the military culture of Vance AFB, and has a cultural scene more active than its size might suggest.

Classic dishes follow the Oklahoma standard: chicken-fried steak, onion burger, barbecue. Vietnamese pho and Mexican tacos serve immigrant communities. Local restaurants include Callahan's, Napoli's Italian Restaurant, and Pastime Café.

The calendar includes the Cherokee Strip Celebration (in September, commemorating the 1893 Land Run), the Tri-State Music Festival, events at the Stride Bank Center, and the Symphony of the North Pacific. Holiday lights downtown are a long-standing tradition.

The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center tells the history of the opening of Cherokee lands to settlers. Leonardo's Children's Museum serves families. Gaslight Theatre has been staging productions since the 1960s.

Notable dishes
  • Chicken-fried steak
  • Onion burger
  • Beef brisket barbecue
  • Mexican tortillas (from local restaurants)
  • German schnitzel (military and regional heritage)
Annual events
  • Cherokee Strip Celebration
  • Tri-State Music Festival
  • Concerts at Stride Bank Center
  • Leonardo's Family Fun Festival
  • Symphony of the North Pacific concerts
  • +1 more

Cherokee Strip Heritage Center, parks, and agricultural culture

Enid combines a Cherokee Strip Land Run museum, expansive parks, a children's museum, and Vance AFB as its main attractions.

The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center tells the history of the 1893 Land Run, the founding event of the region. Leonardo's Children's Museum engages children with interactive exhibits. Adventure Quest, part of Leonardo's, is a large outdoor playground.

Government Springs Park and Meadowlake Park offer trails, lakes, and picnic areas. The Stride Bank Center hosts concerts, sporting events, and fairs. The Railroad Museum of Oklahoma tells the state's railroad history.

Gaslight Theatre stages community theater productions. For longer excursions, Great Salt Plains State Park (featuring wild selenite crystals) is about one hour away, and Roman Nose State Park is nearby.

  1. 1Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center
  2. 2Leonardo's Children's Museum
  3. 3Railroad Museum of Oklahoma
  4. 4Stride Bank Center
  5. 5Gaslight Theatre
  6. 6Adventure Quest
Parks & green spaces
  • Government Springs Park
  • Meadowlake Park
  • Crosslin Park
  • Champlin Park
  • David Allen Memorial Ballpark area
  • +1 more

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