Pork plant and immigrants boost Oklahoma panhandle town
Like many small rural cities, the Oklahoma panhandle town of Guymon began to decline in the 1980s, losing about 8% of its population in that decade. But a pork packing plant that opened in 1995 and the thousands of Mexican immigrants who came to town to take on the new jobs it created gave the city new life. Today, Guymon is home to about 13,000 people and is the only Hispanic-majority city in the state. The city has numerous Mexican restaurants and Hispanic grocery stores. Schools have Mexican folklore dancing clubs. But Guymon – which sits in what for a while was known as No Man’s Land before being absorbed into Oklahoma territory – also pays homage to its Western heritage, with a Pioneer Days festival and rodeo held each year.
The city remains largely rural, and its economy is dominated by pork plants, cattle feedlots, natural gas production and wind farms.
A casino that opened in 2019 also brought jobs and made Guymon an entertainment destination for the region. “It’s been great for this town," says Roberta Gustin, managing broker of Realty House. An expansion project that doubles the casino floor and adds a hotel and RV park is expected to be completed by spring 2025.
As the largest city in the Oklahoma Panhandle, Guymon plays a key role in the area.
A 1990s pork packing plant provided jobs, drawing thousands of Mexican immigrants to Guymon.
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City working to add new housing to Guymon
The median home price in Guymon is just over $200,000, about half the national median. Large ranch-style homes, Tudor-style homes and newer construction can all be found in Guymon, though Gustin says availability is tight. “We have a little bit of a shortage of homes and rental properties, for sure,” she says. City officials are working to bring in new housing developments.
The Guymon city area has plenty of ranch-style homes.
You can also find beautiful, large Tudor-style homes in the Guymon city area.
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Water scarcity is a concern in Guymon
Summers are hot and dry in this arid region of the High Plains. Windy conditions sometimes create low wind chills in the winter. An ongoing drought, along with declining groundwater levels exacerbated by high usage from the farms and hog industry, keeps water conservation efforts top of mind for city officials and residents. The city received $17 million from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2024 for its Mesa Water Project, which is addressing water scarcity with various measures, including building new wells. The city is also working with consultants on exploring other solutions, such as direct potable reuse.
New science labs and other school facilities on the way
Guymon Public Schools serves close to 3,000 students. It has a C-minus on Niche. The district received a $50 million grant in 2024 to build a workforce development center for middle and high school students. The center will include a STEM lab and an outdoor environmental science classroom. Voters also approved a school bond issue in 2024 to build a new third and fourth grade center.
Children are offered a great education at Guymon Junior High School.
Guymon High School provides education in the Guymon area.
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Pioneer Days in early May
Pioneer Days is one of Guymon’s biggest events. “There's a big parade, the carnival comes down, it’s just a big to-do that weekend,” Gustin says. The event, held in early May, also includes a rodeo and car show. Fourth of July fireworks and a pumpkin festival in November are also popular with residents.
Sunset Lake and Thompson Park
The city’s biggest recreation area is at Sunset Lake and the adjacent Thompson Park, where residents can go fishing, use the walking trails or enjoy the playgrounds. The city also has a splash pad, skateboard park and numerous soccer fields and basketball courts. Hunters and wildlife enthusiasts will find the Optima Wildlife Refuge and Management Area about 20 miles east of town.
The scenic Sunset Lake sits beside Thompson Park for Guymon locals to enjoy.
No Man's Land Regional Park in Guymon has plenty of places for locals to walk their dogs.
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Local amenities and a drive to Amarillo for big-city needs
Local restaurants – including Mexican, Italian and pizzerias – and grocery stores can be found along Main Street and U.S. Route 54. A Walmart sits in the northwest edge of town. Memorial Hospital of Texas County, a 25-bed critical access hospital, serves the town.
Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport is 40 miles northeast in Liberal, Kansas. It has connecting flights to Denver. Rick Husband Amarillo International is in Amarillo, Texas, about 120 miles south. Guymon residents generally head to Amarillo for big-city shopping needs.
Incidents of property crimes have been on the decline since 2020, according to data from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Crimes against persons have held steady over the last five years, with just under 140 incidents reported in 2024.
Locals in Guymon can enjoy a variety of Mexican restaurants.
Guymon locals can get fresh groceries daily at the Walmart Supercenter in the city.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
