Jay blends rural living near lakes and attractions
The city of Jay has plenty of single-family homes near the outdoor attractions of northeast Oklahoma. Named after Cherokee committee member Jay Washbourne, the town still has a large Native American populace, making up around 40% of its population of 2,400. While historically an agricultural locale, the community has been attracting tourists as it is within driving distance of several lakes, including the Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees, and America's Outdoor Adventure Park is in town. “[We’re] the Huckleberry capital of the world, so with that comes a huge festival every year and draws in lots of people. [But] it’s a lot of rural living,” says Clint Cunningham, an owner and Realtor with Cunningham & Associates Realtors, who was born and raised in Jay. “It’s a small town, one of those where everybody knows everybody.”
Lower housing costs with little HOA presence
Homes in Jay vary from manufactured and ranch-style to cabins and large modernist homes. The median home price is under $132,000, lower than the state and national medians. Home prices typically run between $80,000 and $500,000, with some properties on the outskirts of town reaching the million-dollar range. Prices are also determined by size, age and condition.
Properties are typically on gridded streets, with larger lots and oak trees accenting lawns. Cunningham notes that multiple rural properties and ranches are available, and HOA activity is low. He also says that Jay has attracted a mix of families and retirees.
SchoolsMultiple lakes adventure park and huckleberries are sources of
City Park is the main green space, featuring sports courts, multiple baseball diamonds, a playground, and a swimming pool. Lake Eucha, with its 49 miles of shoreline, is 5 miles south and has a campground, fishing spots and docks. The 46,000-acre Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees is north and has plenty of room for water sports, marinas and hunting.
America’s Outdoor Adventure Park, just north of town, is a resort featuring ATV trails, a pool and dirt biking tracks. It also hosts concerts. The Spavinaw Public Hunting Area is southwest of Jay and allows hunting game and camping during open seasons.
Jay honors the wild huckleberries that grow around it by hosting the annual Huckleberry Festival in the summer. The event features carnival rides, food and craft vendors and a huckleberry pie baking contest. A fireworks display is also held during the Fourth of July.
Jay Public Schools serve students
Students can attend Jay Public Schools, earning a C-plus grade from Niche. Pupils can start at B-graded Jay Elementary School for kindergarten through third grade and continue onto C-plus-rated Jay Upper Elementary for fourth through sixth. Jay Middle School earns a B-minus. Jay High School is given a C ranking and has virtual schooling options. The Cherokee Nation has also recently opened an early education center.
Dining and shopping along Main Street
Restaurants are concentrated along Main Street and include a mix of chains and local spots. The J-Way is open for breakfast and lunch. Jay Pho serves Vietnamese dishes, Lo Mein and Pad Thai. El Vallarta offers Mexican cuisine.
Main Street also has a Harps Food Store and several dollar stores. More big-box retailers are 12 miles north in Grove.
Flooding and tornado risks
According to the flood map from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there is a risk of flooding and storm activity in 2025 that has damaged some roads and infrastructure. Cunningham notes that the area is susceptible to tornadoes. “By the time they get to us, they die down. We get them, but not like the rest of Oklahoma.”
Highway 59 with airport access in Tulsa and Arkansas
Jay does not have any public transportation connections and is car-dependent. U.S. Highway 59 forms Main Street, leading to the Will Rogers Turnpike 53 miles north. Northwest Arkansas National Airport is 41 miles east, while Tulsa International is 78 miles west.
Jay has several clinics, including the Sam Hider Health Center, part of Cherokee Nation Health Services. Integris Grove Hospital is 12 miles north.
Crime in Jay
According to the latest statistics by the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, crimes against property have decreased, while crimes against people have remained level.
