Area facts

Norman

Norman, Oklahoma by the numbers, from the U.S. Census Bureau.

An illustration of a home in the Norman area
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Population
129,672
Median home value
$250,100
Median year homes were built
1988
Size
178.7 square miles

Where Norman is

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Norman compared with the other areas we serve

Norman had about 129,672 people in the 2020-2024 Census estimates, the 2nd largest of the 13 areas on our map, spread over 178.7 square miles.

That is about 726 people per square mile, 37% fewer than Oklahoma City's 1,148.

The median home value is $250,100, 8% above Oklahoma City's $231,300 and the 4th highest of the 13.

The typical home here was built in 1988, about 38 years ago, which puts Norman 10th oldest of the 13 by home age.

The areas closest to Norman in median home value are Choctaw ($242,100) and Mustang ($239,200).

By land area it sits near Edmond (84.4 square miles) and Piedmont (43.4 square miles).

For the schools in this part of the metro, see the Norman Public Schools page.

What to know about Norman

Norman is home to the University of Oklahoma and is the third-largest city in the state. Campus Corner, a few blocks of shops and restaurants, sits just north of campus, and Lake Thunderbird State Park is east of town.

Norman is in Cleveland County, which is one of the four counties we work in. See Cleveland County.

Homes here are in Norman Public Schools, which had about 16,048 students across 25 schools (grades Pre-K-12) in 2024-25. We confirm the assigned school for any home before you decide.

Places on our Norman guide include Cobblestone Creek Golf Course, Donald E. Pray Law Library, Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Jimmie Austin Golf Club, Kimrey Family Stadium, Lloyd Noble Center, Griffin Community Park, John H. Saxon, Junior Memorial Park, and Kevin Gottshall Memorial Park.

Norman Public Schools schools include Adams ES, Alcott MS, Cleveland ES, Dimensions Academy, Eisenhower ES, Irving MS, Jackson ES, Jefferson ES, Kennedy ES, Lakeview ES, Lincoln ES, Longfellow MS, Madison ES, Mckinley ES.

Restaurants and cafes on our Norman map include 7 Brew, Amici Pizzeria, Amicus Cafe, Asian Buffet, Baked Bear, Basic Knead, Beanstalk Coffee and Sno, Benvenuti's Ristorante, Billy Sims BBQ, BJ's.

For shopping and groceries, the map lists Aldi, Crest Foods, Homeland, Natural Grocers, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, Aaron's, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Al's Bicycles, Ashley HomeStore.

Parks and open space on the map: Adkins Crossing Park, Adult Welness & Education Center, Anatole at Norman Dog Park, Andrews Park, Berkeley Park, Bird Sanctuary, Boyd R. Gunning Park, Brandt Park.

Things to do, from libraries and museums to theaters, golf and fitness: Ampitheatre, Donald E. Pray Law Library, Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center, Moore-Lindsay Historical House, 12th Street Recreation Center, Athletic Loft, Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy, Cascade Estates Neighborhood Pool, AMC Robinson Crossing 6, Barracuda.

On our Norman map, by category: parks 103, arts and culture 15, recreation 33, restaurants 163, grocery 14, shopping 62, entertainment 23. Open the Norman guide.

History

  • The city takes its name from Abner E. Norman, who led a survey team in the Unassigned Lands from 1870 to 1873 and whose camp site became the townsite.
  • A railroad came through in 1886 and 1887, and the town was organized around the 1889 Land Run.
  • In 1890 the territorial legislature chose Norman as the home of the University of Oklahoma, which held its first classes in 1892.
  • During World War II the university's airfield, Max Westheimer Field, served as a Navy training site.

Getting around

Interstate 35 runs through Norman.

Things to do

  • Lake Thunderbird State Park: boating, fishing, hiking, biking and camping, with Calypso Cove Marina and Discovery Cove Nature Center on the lake.
  • Andrews Park, Lions Park and Reaves Park: city parks, with Andrews Park hosting Jazz in June and the Norman Arts Festival.
  • George Sutton Wilderness Park: walking trails, a disc golf course and a dog park.
  • Westwood Family Aquatic Center: a city pool with a lazy river and water slides.
  • Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History: galleries on Oklahoma natural history, on the OU campus.
  • Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art: a university art museum with an Impressionist collection.
  • National Weather Museum and Science Center: opened in 2016.
  • Annual events listed by Visit Norman: Medieval Fair of Norman and Norman Music Festival (April), Jazz in June (June), Cleveland County Fair (September), Christmas Holiday Parade (December).

The city

  • Norman is in Cleveland County and is the county seat.
  • The city has a mayor and City Council, with city offices at 201 W Gray St.

Schools

Public schools are run by Norman Public Schools (normanps.org). Check the district for the school assigned to a specific address.

Services

  • The City of Norman Utilities Department provides water treatment, water reclamation and sanitation (trash) service.
  • The city has its own Police Department and Fire Department; 911 for emergencies.
  • City Parks and Recreation runs the Westwood Aquatic Center.

Nearby: Moore and Oklahoma City.

Looking in Norman?

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 estimates. Not exact counts.