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Broken Arrow, OK

Frequently asked questions

Broken Arrow, OK

Broken Arrow is a city in Tulsa and Wagoner counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is the largest suburb of Tulsa. According to the 2020 census, Broken Arrow has a population of 113,540 residents and is the 4th most populous city in the state. The city is part of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, which has a population of 1,023,988 residents.

The Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad sold lots for the town site in 1902 and company secretary William S. Fears named it Broken Arrow. The city was named for a Creek community settled by Creek Native Americans who had been forced to relocate from Alabama to Oklahoma along the Trail of Tears.

Although Broken Arrow was originally an agricultural community, its current economy is diverse. The city has the third-largest concentration of manufacturers in the state.

The city's name comes from an old Creek community in Alabama. Members of that community were expelled from Alabama by the United States government, along the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. The Creek founded a new community in the Indian Territory and named it after their old settlement in Alabama. The town's Creek name was Rekackv (pronounced thlee-Kawtch-kuh), meaning broken arrow. The new Creek settlement was located several miles south of present-day downtown Broken Arrow.

For the first decades of Broken Arrow's history, the town's economy was based mainly on agriculture. The coal industry also played an important role, with several strip coal mines located near the city in the early 20th century. The city's newspaper, the Broken Arrow Ledger, started within a couple of years of the city's founding. Broken Arrow's first school was built in 1904. The city did not grow much during the first half of the 1900s. During this time Broken Arrow's main commercial center was along Main Street. Most of the city's churches were also located on or near Main Street as well. A 1907 government census listed Broken Arrow's population at 1,383.

In the 1960s, Broken Arrow began to grow from a small town into a suburban city. The Broken Arrow Expressway (Oklahoma State Highway 51) was constructed in the mid-1960s and connected the city with downtown Tulsa, fueling growth in Broken Arrow. The population swelled from a little above 11,000 in 1970 to more than 50,000 in 1990, and then more than 74,000 by the year 2000. During this time, the city was more of a bedroom community. In recent years, city leaders have pushed for more economic development to help keep more citizens of Broken Arrow working, shopping, and relaxing in town rather than going to other cities.

Broken Arrow is located in the northeastern corner of Oklahoma. The city is part of the state's Green Country region known for its green vegetation, hills, and lakes. Green Country is the most topographically diverse portion of the state with seven of Oklahoma's 11 eco-regions. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 45.6 square miles (118 km2), of which 45.0 sq mi (117 km2) is land and 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2) (1.34%) is water.

In Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, there are several health and wellness activities and projects available to residents and visitors. For healthcare facilities, notable options include Saint Francis Hospital. Those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation can visit spas like Bliss Medical Spa or Prism Med Spa. Fitness enthusiasts have access to gyms such as Planet Fitness and Anytime Fitness. Broken Arrow also offers beautiful parks for outdoor activities, including Ray Harral Nature Park and Central Park. With these health-focused activities and facilities, residents and visitors can prioritize their well-being and enjoy a balanced and active lifestyle in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Top Sites in Broken Arrow, OK are Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, The Museum Broken Arrow, Military History Museum, and Family Aquatic Center.

Population: 122,756 (2024). ZIP codes: 74011-74014. Area codes: 539, 918. Elevation: 755 ft (230 m). Area: 63.54 sq mi (164.58 km2).

FAQs

What is Broken Arrow, OK known for?

The City fosters a sense of community by sponsoring seasonal festivals and events each year, including Rooster Days, a local Farmers Market, and musical performances in the park. With destination attractions in the Rose District, the Performing Arts Center, Warren Theatre, Bass Pro Shops, New Orleans Square, and more, residents and visitors have many options when it comes to choosing shopping, dining, cultural and entertainment activities.

Is Broken Arrow, OK a good place to live?

The community takes special pride in being a great place to raise a family. In addition to being one of the safest communities in the nation, Broken Arrow has outstanding facilities for sports, music, and the arts with over $50 million invested in city revitalization projects. With a median home value of $160K and an average household income of about $80K, Business Week calls Broken Arrow one of the most affordable suburbs in the south.

Why is it called Broken Arrow in Oklahoma?

Broken Arrow, a city in northeastern Oklahoma, got its name from the Muscogee Creek Native Americans who settled there after being expelled from Alabama amid the Trail of Tears. Broken Arrow is a suburb of Tulsa with a population of approximately 115,000 people with a council-manager form of government. Curtis Green, our featured clerk, spent 30 years as a leader in the public sector. His leadership experience included roles in public education, nonprofit organizations, and municipal government. He’s served as city clerk for Broken Arrow since July 2018.
 

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Broken Arrow

Saint Francis Hospital

Bliss Medical Spa

Prism Med Spa

Planet Fitness 

Anytime Fitness

Ray Harral Nature Park

Central Park

Granicus

Broken Arrow EDC

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

The Museum Broken Arrow 

Military History Museum 

Family Aquatic Center

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.