Historic charm and community togetherness in Northern Oklahoma
Named after the native Ponca tribe who originally lived along the Arkansas River, Ponca City has a rich history and modern amenities. A small town of about 24,000, Ponca City’s celebration of its history and array of community events give it a strong sense of community. “There’s a ton of history and culture to Ponca City,” says Lauren Meador, a broker with Thunder Ridge Realty and lifelong resident of Ponca City. “We have several native tribes that call Ponca City their homeplace and we host many different pow wows. We’re a pretty bustling community for how small we are.” The city’s sense of togetherness is shown when residents come together for annual events, but also on a day-to-day basis in its religious institutions and community efforts like Friendship Feast which provides hot meals to residents in need. The city is also near the midpoint of Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Wichita, giving residents the option of visiting a major city when they please.
Ponca City is home to several manufacturing and industrial plants. Major companies like Phillips 66 and Albertsons are some of the major employers in Ponca City, as well as the city government and public school system. Food and agriculture companies also account for much of the area’s employment.
Rich in history and events, Ponca City’s local residents enjoy a close-knit community.
Ponca City Hall is a historic Spanish Colonial-style building with an auditorium.
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Homes lower than the national median
Over the past year, single-family homes in Ponca City have sold at a median price of $163,000, lower than the national average. The city has its fair share of midcentury homes, along with older properties built in the 1920s. Though many homes sell for under $200,000, homes on larger lots can sell between $300,000 and $500,000. “We went through a phase of new construction, and those are usually in the $300,000 range or above. There’s also been some condo complexes pop up, too,” Meador says. She continues to say that higher priced homes tend to sit on the market longer than homes priced under the median.
Newly updated single-family homes can be found throughout Ponca City.
Ponca City features midcentury homes and historic properties dating back to the 1920s.
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Waterside fun at Lake Ponca
When the weather’s nice, residents in Ponca City head to the Arkansas River or Lake Ponca for waterside activities. Lake Ponca has boating and fishing docks, as well as nature trails and campgrounds. Lake Ponca Beach is a prime spot for swimming or catching a tan on the sand. The city is also about 16 miles from Kaw Lake, which has 168 miles of shoreline and nine recreational sites. Closer to home, Ponca City has about 30 municipal parks and several walking trails. Folks looking to spend their day on the greens can become a member of the Ponca City Country Club, one of the few golf courses in the city. The country club hosts the Cherokee Strip Golf Classic, a long-running pro-am competition.
Ponca City locals enjoy boating, fishing, trails, and campgrounds at Lake Ponca.
The gazebo at Cann Memorial Gardens is the perfect spot to take a break for Ponca City locals.
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Calf wrangling at the 101 Wild West Rodeo
Ponca City has its share of seasonal and holiday festivals throughout the year, including the Veterans Day Parade and Oktoberfest. The Standing Bear Pow Wow embraces the area’s Native American roots and culture, filled with local vendors, tribal dances and contests. For some calf wrangling and horse riding, residents can attend the 101 Wild West Rodeo in August. The Ponca City Herb Festival brings in local vendors from around the country to sell crafts, plants and fresh vegetables among many other goods. In addition to rows of vendors, the festival also has food trucks from local vendors and activities for kids.
Ponca City Public Schools
Kids in Ponca City are zoned to the Ponca City Public Schools District, which has a B-minus Niche score. The district has a student body of about 4,600 spread through its 11 schools. The school district offers an after-school program for students from Pre-K until 5th grade which includes homework help, arts and crafts and more. After high school students can attend Northern Oklahoma College, a community college located in neighboring Tonkawa.
Ponca City kids are zoned to Ponca City Public Schools, rated B-minus on Niche.
High school graduates can enroll at Northern Oklahoma College near Ponca City.
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Interstate 35 leads to OKC and Wichita
Ponca City is near the halfway point between Oklahoma City and Wichita, both accessible through Interstate 35. The city is about 105 miles from OKC, while Wichita is about 80 miles out. There isn’t a major public transit system in Ponca City, so residents drive to get around Kay County.
A blend of familiar fast foods and local spots
Most of Ponca City’s restaurants, local shops and businesses are centered along its main thoroughfares like Grand Ave or 14th Street. The city has a blend of familiar fast food spots as well as sit down restaurants. “We have tons of restaurants and a nightlife with all the boutique bars around,” Meador says.
Locals find plenty of shopping and dining options on Grand Ave and 14th Street.
Homeland on 14th St provides fresh groceries for Ponca City residents.
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Moderate weather and an average crime rate
Ponca City experiences hot and humid summers, while winters are cold and dry. FEMA gives Ponca City a relatively high tornado risk. Over the past five years, Ponca City has reported violent and property crime rates higher than the national average, according to FBI statistics.
Written By
Robert Breckenridge
Photography Contributed By
Chon Kit Leong
Video By
Matt Ferguson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jenny Smithson,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Ponca City, OK sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Ponca City, OK over the last 12 months is $161,500, up 37% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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