Nowata is a welcoming rural community that has experienced growth
Everyone is welcome in Nowata. The city’s name comes from its days as a Native American settlement; the Delaware tribe called the area “no-we-ata,” meaning “welcome.” Today, the area is part of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, and around 15% of residents are part of the tribe. The city honors its Native American heritage with its slogan: “Welcome is Our Name.”
Part of Oklahoma’s “Green Country” region, full of rolling hills and colorful trees, the city does not have much industry, and residents often work elsewhere. But in other ways, Nowata is growing. The rural community has several restaurants and parks where people come together. “Nowata has come a long way in the last 20 years,” says Lindsey Coe, a Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Green Country broker who has family in the area. “It has two Dollar Generals now. When that happened [in 2025], that was the talk of the county.”
Traditional and New Traditional houses for relatively low prices
The area has a mix of traditional brick homes, manufactured houses, cottage-style properties and New Traditional homes. The median sale price is about $140,000, well below the U.S. median. Properties also tend to be cheaper than in other parts of the Bartlesville Metro Area. Large parcels of land are also available for development, often between $3,000 and $25,000 per acre. “Outside the city limits, there are no zoning restrictions,” Coe says. “That’s different from some counties around us. If you want to build a shop on your 20 acres, you can do that.” The car-dependent community’s asphalt, brick and dirt roads are grid-like. They are mostly narrow and often lack sidewalks, especially in the city's residential areas, but a few streets are wide. Yards are grassy and can feature trees and small bushes.
Nowata Public Schools offers the VEX Robotics international program
Students are zoned for Nowata Public Schools. They can attend Glenn C. Moore Elementary School, which holds a C Niche grade. Nowata Middle School receives a C score. Nowata High School offers the chance to participate in VEX Robotics, an international program where students create a robot and use it to compete in various challenges. It earns a B-minus rating.
The Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program gives a refundable credit to families with students enrolled in nonpublic schools. Private school students can receive $5,000 to $7,500, while homeschooled children get a $1,000 credit. The closest private school is Wesleyan Christian School, around 20 miles west in Bartlesville, which holds a B-plus score.
Jack Gordon Park is a sports hub, and hunting and fishing are nearby
Jack Gordon Park has a spacious picnic area, a basketball court, baseball diamonds and a playground. John H. Morgan Park features basketball hoops, play equipment, a covered seating area and a lot of open space. Nowata Country Club takes public tee times for its nine-hole course. The volunteer-run Nowata County Historical Society Museum teaches visitors about the area’s history. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Houses of worship like Cornerstone Community Church are spread throughout the region. The city is just over 5 miles from the Oologah Wildlife Management Area, where hunters can track quail, deer and turkey. To the southeast, Oologah Lake is stocked with striped bass, crappie and walleye.
Nowata Depot Cafe sits near railroad tracks, and groceries are close
The city’s restaurants are mostly chains and fast-food eateries, often found along U.S. routes 60 and 169, but there are a few local spots. Nowata Depot Cafe serves classic American food and has rotating specials. “A train still runs through town and comes within inches of the Depot,” Coe says. “It shakes the walls on the east side. The train honks its horn. It’s the whole experience. Kids love it.” Daylight Donuts, a Tulsa-based regional chain, bakes fresh treats each day. It shares a space with Taco Zone, where customers can pick up a quick lunch. Tripp’s Bar is the town’s late-night hangout and hosts pool tournaments and open mic nights, among other events. The city has two Dollar Generals, with one holding the DG Market branding and focusing more on groceries. Bomgaars department store carries clothing and farming essentials.
Oklahoma Asylum scares its guests each Halloween season
In the summer, Nowata Pioneer Day celebrates the area’s history and mixes family events with food and art vendors. The Oklahoma Asylum opens its doors each fall. The interactive haunted house is known for leaving visitors covered in blood — theatrical blood.
Access to major highways and Tulsa International Airport
U.S. routes 60 and 169 cut through the community and can take drivers in all cardinal directions. A railroad runs north and south through the community, a few blocks east of Maple Street. “There’s only one stoplight in the whole town,” Coe says. Bartlesville is just over 20 miles west, and Downtown Tulsa is around 50 miles away. Tulsa International Airport is about a 45-mile drive. Ascension St. John Nowata has a 24-hour emergency room. Coe says tornadoes can appear in Nowata County, but direct hits are rare compared to other parts of Oklahoma.
