The railroad boom that rode into Oklahoma at the turn of the 20th century spurred the rise of communities like Ada. This town 80 miles southeast of Oklahoma City has maintained a population of around 17,000 for several decades, though locals claim this number might be misleading. “Ada itself is small, but it has a lot of little towns that surround it, with a lot of farms and ranches and large tracts of land,” says Amie Ellis, a Realtor with McCraw Realtors. Ada is the seat of Pontotoc County and the headquarters of the Chickasaw Nation, which is known for its strong community outreach program. “There’s a large Native American population in the surrounding area, and they give back to the community,” Ellis says.
The early 20th-century railroad boom in Oklahoma helped communities like Ada grow.
Ada has a large Native American population that actively gives back to the community.
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Performance venues in Ada’s Arts District
The iron horse sculpture kicking up its hooves in Ada’s Arts District exemplifies the city’s reputation as a place “where the West meets the South.” Native history and traditions take center stage at the Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities Division in the Arts District. Visitors to the Ada Arts and Heritage Center can peek at historic photos and local artwork. The McSwain Theatre hosts live music, comedy acts and family-friendly shows. Collections by local and nationally renowned artists are on display at the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center, which houses performance venues and a television studio.
The Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities Division in Ada highlights Native history and traditions.
Ada locals enjoy live music, comedy, and family shows at the McSwain Theatre.
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Ranches with acreage on Ada’s outskirts
Ada’s median home price of $215,000 is low by Oklahoma standards and much lower than the national median of $407,000. Starter homes might cost $100,000 to $200,000, but most ranch-style and contemporary builds are priced in the $250,000 to $400,000 range. Kings Road is known for grand estates costing $500,000 to $800,000. Large ranches and estates on the outskirts of town typically command prices from $750,000 to $900,000.
Though crime rates vary significantly from year to year, they’re generally low compared to Oklahoma City’s. A spate of recent droughts has increased fire danger in the area, so potential buyers should take heed when purchasing homeowners insurance. The city also has a history of tornadoes, with a record number of twisters touching down in 2024.
Well-maintained Tudor Revival homes are a common sight in the Ada area.
Homes in Ada with plantation-style designs cost between $500,000 and $800,000.
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Niche grade of B-plus for Ada City Schools
The 2,600 students in the Ada City School District benefit from a low student-teacher ratio of 14-to-1. The district earns a B-plus Niche grade and is one of the city’s largest employers. Ada is also the home of East Central University, best known for its environmental health science program.
Ada Junior High School provides education in the Ada area.
Ada hosts East Central University, famed for its environmental health science program.
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North Hills Shopping Center
Specialty shops and boutiques interspersed with casual coffeehouses make their homes on Main Street in downtown Ada. Efforts are underway to draw more businesses to the district to turn Main Street into the cultural heart of the city. Near Mississippi Avenue, the North Hills Shopping Center is surrounded by chain restaurants, furniture outlets and home improvement stores. The Chickasaw Nation took over the renowned sweet shop Bedré Fine Chocolate in 2000. While the shop is located in Davis, about 40 miles southwest, several Ada businesses carry the sweet stuff.
Main Street in downtown Ada features boutiques, specialty shops, and cozy coffeehouses.
Near Mississippi Avenue, Ada’s North Hills Shopping Center is home to various stores.
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Route 377 connects to Oklahoma City
US Route 377 curves around the western edge of town, branching off into other highways that pave the way for the 80-mile drive to Oklahoma City. That’s where travelers find Will Rogers World Airport, the largest in the state. Call-A-Ride Public Transit offers on-demand service on weekdays, but cars are a must in this rural area. Along with education, healthcare is a major industry, with Chickasaw Nation Medical Center and Mercy Hospital Ada employing a combined total of about 2,000 people.
Wintersmith Park’s nature trails and dog park
Wintersmith Park serves as the centerpiece of Ada’s family-focused park system. Nature trails meander over bridges, around a lake and past a stone amphitheater and community pool. During the holiday season, the Trail of Lights brightens the park, inviting residents to stroll or drive through the festive display. The City of Ada Disc Golf Course offers short holes suitable for family competitions, and the adjacent dog park has separate fenced areas for large and small breeds. Members of the Oak Hills Golf and Country Club can tee off on the championship 18-hole course.
Wintersmith Park in Ada offers a beautiful natural lake for locals to enjoy.
Wintersmith Park in Ada is a great spot for locals to jog and unwind.
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Ada's Main Street celebrations
Ada Main Street hosts popular seasonal events throughout the year. The local farmers market takes over the Irving Community Center on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer. Kids in costume go trick-or-treating to the tune of live music during Halloween on Main. Santa drops by for the Christmas on Main celebration, which caps off with a holiday parade.
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Photography Contributed By
Chon Kit Leong
Video By
David Strayer
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nancy Barnett,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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Welcome to Cross Creek Ranch, a premier 37-acre horse property just west of Ada, OK, with approx. 617 feet of State Highway 19 frontage. Only 41 minutes to I-35 and 58 minutes to I-40, this turnkey facility is ideal for breeding, training, and high-end boarding. The main barn is a barndominium with 1 bedroom plus an upstairs office or second bedroom with storage. Features include a large tack
Welcome home to this stunning 4-bedroom, 2-bath stunner in The Westins, where comfort, style, and fresh beginnings come together beautifully. From the moment you step inside, you’ll notice the thoughtfully designed open layout that creates a natural flow between living spaces—perfect for everyday living and effortless entertaining. The formal dining area sets the stage for holiday gatherings and
Imagine pulling into your own peaceful retreat just minutes from town. Nestled on approximately one acre at the edge of Ada, this beautifully remodeled home offers the perfect balance of comfort, style, and space — not too big, not too small, but just right. Step inside and immediately feel the difference. Every detail has been thoughtfully designed to create a home that feels both modern and
Completely updated home, located just minutes from Walmart, medical, shopping, dining and entertainment. Kitchen, and bathrooms were updated with granite countertops and stainless appliances. Ceramic tile flooring throughout living area and completely painted. With an extra lot with 30x40 double overhead door shop or garage with extra workspace. 12x 27 storage building for your boat. Comes with a
Home and event center for sale, all on 15 pristine acres!! Have you dreamed of owning your own event center or entertainment venue?! THIS IS IT!! Located just south of Ada City Limits, out side of zoning, is this beautiful multi purpose event center featuring two buildings with limitless options. But wait, there's more! There is a quaint 1 bedroom apartment that allows for guests to stay, or you
Welcome home to this beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 1-bath property that offers comfort, functionality, and great outdoor space. This home features numerous recent updates, including fresh interior and exterior paint, along with new carpet in one bedroom. The rest of the home showcases durable hard-surface flooring for easy maintenance. Step inside to an inviting open floor plan filled with
That’s an exciting opportunity! A small lot on a busy commercial street can be ideal for a business with high visibility and steady foot or car traffic. The key is to match your business idea to the lot’s size, zoning rules, and location type
RARE LARGE-SCALE COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE HEART OF ADA'S RETAIL CORRIDOR! Approximately 30.75 acres of prime commercial development opportunity in one of Ada’s most high-visibility corridors. ZONED C-2 with direct frontage along Lonnie Abbott Boulevard, this property offers exceptional exposure, accessibility, and long-term development potential. Strategically positioned surrounding North
Loretta Bush
Home Place Real Estate
(580) 396-1939
$279,000
Land
15.00 Acre Lot
Gorgeous 15 acres (more or less) CLOSE to the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center!! This level and cleared land is ready for your dream home, or a small development! Check it out with your favorite Realtor, today!
Build Your Dream Home with No Restrictions! Discover your own private retreat on this wooded 1-acre lot (Tract #8) located on a quiet dead-end road just outside Ada city limits. If you’ve been searching for a place surrounded by nature, where you can enjoy peace, privacy, and wildlife, this is it! With water and electric available at the road, you’re ready to start your next chapter. NO HOA and
Home and event center for sale, all on 15 pristine acres!! Have you dreamed of owning your own event center or entertainment venue?! THIS IS IT!! Located just south of Ada City Limits, out side of zoning, is this beautiful multi purpose event center featuring two buildings with limitless options. But wait, there's more! There is a quaint 1 bedroom apartment that allows fll appointed 2,146 sq ft
Build Your Dream Home with No Restrictions! Discover your own private retreat on this wooded 1-acre lot (Tract #7) located on a quiet dead-end road just outside Ada city limits. If you’ve been searching for a place surrounded by nature, where you can enjoy peace, privacy, and wildlife, this is it! With water and electric available at the road, you’re ready to start your next chapter. NO HOA and
Fully Remodeled 2 Bed / 1 Bath Home with Large Fenced YardThis beautifully remodeled 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home offers comfort, functionality, and plenty of space both inside and out. The home features a nice updated kitchen, a large utility room, and an additional flex space perfect for a home office, pantry, or extra storage.Outside, you’ll find a large fenced-in yard, ideal for
New 1-bedroom, 1-bath in Byng school district, featuring a functional layout and essential appliances for comfortable living. The kitchen includes a refrigerator, microwave, and oven/range, while a convenient stackable washer/dryer adds in-unit laundry capability. Climate control is provided by a split unit AC/heat. This residence offers practical, move-in-ready amenities in a compact footprint.
Welcome to this charming 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home in Ada, OK. This cozy house features gas cooking, a refrigerator, a window air unit, and a gas wall heater to keep you comfortable year-round. The convenience of a washer/dryer connections to make laundry a breeze. With a storage shed for extra space and off-street parking, this home has everything you need. This homes location has mature trees
Welcome to this charming 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home located in Ada, OK. This property boasts a range of amenities designed to enhance your living experience. The home features covered parking to protect your vehicle from the elements, as well as additional off-street parking for your convenience. The fenced yard provides a secure space for outdoor activities, while the covered front porch and
Welcome to this charming 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom home located in the vibrant community of Ada, OK. This property boasts a range of amenities designed to enhance your living experience. The kitchen comes equipped with a refrigerator and a range/oven, perfect for all your culinary adventures. The home also features convenient washer/dryer connections, allowing for easy laundry days. Stay comfortable
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