Edmond, OK

Located just 20 minutes north of Oklahoma City, Edmond has a population of nearly 80,000 residents. The city has doubled in population over the last three decades and continues to grow. Edmond, named one of the top 100 places to live in the United States by Relocate America, is full of commuters who take advantage of the city's transportation options and exceptional school district. It is the site of the University of Central Oklahoma.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Edmond is rapidly growing city with median household income well over the norm of Oklahoma. Between 2000 and 2007, the population grew by more than 10 percent and is expected to increase another 6 percent in five years. And while the population has risen, so has average income, which has seen a 19 percent increase since 2000. Among the largest industries in Edmond are knowledge-based businesses such as technology firms, service companies, and manufacturers.

The largest employers in Edmond include:

• Edmond Public School System
• University of Central Oklahoma
• City of Edmond
• Edmond Medical Center
• Adfitech
• Remy International
• Petra Industries, Inc.
• Cox Communications
• Pelco Products, Inc.

EDUCATION

Residents of Edmond are well educated, with more than half of those over the age of 25 holding at least a bachelor's degree. The public school system is considered excellent and, as the fourth largest district in the state, is distinctively large. The district serves students living in both Oklahoma and Logan counties.

Edmond's high schools were ranked among the top schools in the country by Newsweek in 2007. The high school graduation rate is an extraordinary 98.6 percent, with 85 percent of graduates going on to college.

There are 16 elementary schools, five middle schools, and three high schools in the Edmond school district. In the high school class of 2008, there were 28 national merit scholars, and the average SAT and ACT scores were above both the state and national averages.

The University of Central Oklahoma is Oklahoma's third-largest higher education institution, and one of the oldest.

The Fine Arts Institute offers classes in painting, music and other fine arts to children and adults.

FAMILY FUN

Edmond is home to many recreation areas and approximately 26 city parks. Other recreational facilities in the city include:

• Pelican Bay Aquatic Center, where visitors can participate in numerous activities including waterslides, a whirlpool vortex, current channel, and even a climbing wall. Residents can learn to swim through classes at the center or join a water sports game. The municipal center can be rented out for private parties.
• Arcadia Lake offers more than 1,800 acres of beauty on Deep Fork River. Visitors can picnic, water ski, camp, boat, and hike. The lake can be enjoyed all year long, even in winter, and is known for its wildlife, including the bald eagle.
• Festival Market Place can be found in the historic downtown area of Edmond and offers a Farmers Market as well as other events. The Farmers Market began in 1998 as a place where farmers could sell fresh-grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Other markets and festivals also take place throughout the year at Festival Market Place.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Chopin Society of Mid-America: A series of concerts from the society is presented throughout the year. Performers from across the country present their talents to the community.
• Downtown Edmond: In the historic Downtown Edmond, visitors and residents can enjoy various restaurants and more than 30 shops.
• Edmond Historical Society and Museum: Visitors can learn about the city's history while viewing national traveling exhibits, and children can check out an interactive center.
• The University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Lab is a jazz club that hosts an extensive performance schedule.
• The National Softball Hall of Fame often hosts events such as the NCAA Women's College World Series.
• The Kirkpatrick Center, in northern Oklahoma City just south of Edmond, contains seven separate museums under one roof, including the Oklahoma Air Space Museum, Red Earth Indian Center, Science Museum Oklahoma, Kirkpatrick Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Kirkpatrick Planetarium, Kirkpatrick Galleries and the International Photography Hall of Fame.
• Lazy E Arena, located just north of Edmond in Guthrie, bills itself as the world's largest indoor rodeo arena.

LOCAL MEDIA

• The Edmond Sun, a daily newspaper, claims to be the oldest newspaper founded during Oklahoma's days as a territory that remains in continuous publication. The state's largest newspaper, The Oklahoman, and the daily business paper, The Journal Record, also serve the area. Edmond is within the Oklahoma City broadcast market, one of the 50 largest in the United States.