Lawton

About Lawton

Lawton is a large city in Oklahoma’s Comanche County, serving as the principal city of the Lawton metropolitan area. Among the largest cities in the state, it dates back to the early 1900s. The thriving city is home to numerous parks, museums, businesses and lakes, as well as a diverse community that’s grown at a fairly steady rate over recent decades.

The History of Lawton

Before Lawton was the bustling, modernized city it’s known as today, the land where it’s located was used as a major Native American reservation. The Comanche, Kiowa and Apache people called the rolling hills and grassy flatlands home for many years. In 1901, the town of Lawton was founded, named after a Civil War major who was killed in action.

Because of its proximity to the Fort Sill Military Reservation, Lawton was able to benefit from a stable flow of new residents and businesses. Even through the 20th century, the city enjoyed a stable economy thanks to the military presence. Today, its economy is still largely supported by Fort Sill, but Lawton has also welcomed many businesses in the health care, retail and manufacturing sectors.

Jobs in Lawton

For many years, Lawton has had a fairly stable job market, with an unemployment rate that’s comparable to state averages. Its economy focuses on three primary industries: government, retail and manufacturing. If you’re looking for a job in the area, you should be able to find a variety of viable prospects.

Fort Sill is the largest employer in the area by far, providing thousands of local jobs. Other major employers include Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Lawton Public Schools, Comanche County Memorial Hospital and Cameron University. The city hosts two large industrial parks, one near the city’s regional airport and the other in the southwest corner.

Schools in Lawton

Lawton Public Schools oversees the majority of schools in the city, ranging from prekindergarten to high school. There are a number of private schools in the city as well, including STEM-focused, Catholic and Christian campuses.

Lawton is also home to one of the region’s largest four-year universities, Cameron University. There, you can pursue a degree in one of more than 50 areas of study.

Resources for Moving to Lawton

As you prepare for a move to Lawton, the following information will come in handy:

• Utilities: Lawton’s primary utilities providers include the Public Service Co.of Oklahoma, CenterPoint Energy and the Lawton Water Department.
• Garbage and Recycling: Residential trash is collected twice a week. You also have the option of requesting two bulky item collections per year.
• Transportation: Lawton Area Transit System operates several routes throughout Lawton and Fort Sill.

Lawton Housing

Lawton is an extremely affordable place to call home, with a median home price that’s lower than half the national average. You can easily find a good family home, even on a tight budget. If you’re willing to put work into a fixer-upper property, you can often find one for auction, for far less than the price of a typical home.