The Oklahoma suburb of Owasso takes its name from an Osage word meaning “end of the trail,” and the city did indeed start as the endpoint of a 19th-century railroad. Today, a ribbon of Highway 169 runs through Owasso, weaving a 15-mile path south to Tulsa. “Owasso has been a desirable city for families for years,” says Christi Gillentine, Realtor with eXp Realty. “They’ve got a lot of amenities — like community pools and parks — that help people feel connected to each other.” The population, now 40,000, has grown over 20 percent in the last 15 years, giving Owasso one of the youngest populations in the region. Top-notch schools, a bevy of indoor and outdoor recreation, and easy highway access are significant draws in the growing city.
Downtown Owasso, The Redubud District, continues to grow with local boutiques, coffee and food.
Cool off and have a blast at the Splash Pad at Fantastical Island in Owasso!
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Owasso High School Rams
According to Niche, Owasso Public Schools is the third highest-rated district in Oklahoma. “That’s why a lot of families move there, because they want their kids in Owasso public schools,” Gillentine says. Local high school concert bands have participated in numerous festivals across the country, and the Owasso Rams football team is a local institution. For students in grades 6 through 12, the district also offers virtual learning enrollment through the Edgenuity course platform. Rejoice Christian School, which receives a Niche grade of B-minus, is a popular private school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Owasso is also home to Tulsa Tech’s Owasso Campus, which includes the school’s hospitality programs.
Owasso High School, shaping future leaders in Owasso.
Pamela Hodson Elementary fosters young minds in Owasso.
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Casting off at Centennial Park
Fishing ponds invite anglers to cast off at Centennial Park, which stretches across 47 acres. Golfing awaits at Bailey Ranch, a championship course spanning 400 acres. Closer to downtown Owasso, the splash pad and playground at Rayola Park are popular with the younger crowd. For indoor weekend fun and birthday celebrations, locals head to AIRTOPIA Adventure Park, Lanes at Coffee Creek bowling alley, the roller rink at Wheels and Thrills, or the movie screens at AMC Classic Owasso 12. Owasso Christmas Tree and Berry Farm is a popular agro-tourism spot where residents pick blackberries and blueberries in summer, then cut their Christmas trees in December. Shopping centers packed with big-box retailers and established chain restaurants anchor the landscape around Route 169. Residents can pick up groceries at Owasso Market, Aldi or Reasor’s after indulging in retail therapy at Smith Farm MarketPlace. “You don’t have to go very far to get all of your shopping done right there,” Gillentine says. Those who prefer to shop locally will feel at home in the Redbud District, a downtown area with various shops, restaurants and museums.
Centennial Park in Owasso has miles of paved trails for humans and their furry friends to enjoy.
The Lanes at Coffee Creek are a family favorite, open 10AM to Midnight in Owasso.
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From single-story starter homes to modern Colonial-inspired builds
In Owasso, buyers mostly choose between modest single-story homes from the 1980s or contemporary Craftsman-style builds on oversized lots. French Country-style homes made a huge splash in the early 2000s when the city’s popularity began to hit its stride. “There’s been lots of new development,” says Heather Johnson, broker associate and Realtor with Chinowth & Cohen. “I’ve been in Owasso since 2003, and there have been so many new neighborhoods added — and they’re continuing to add.” Current prices are on par with the national average, with a median price of around $327,000, which is relatively high compared to the Oklahoma average of $200,000. Large estates on several acres sell for $1 to $2 million in gated communities such as Stone Canyon and Dover Pond, which can be found in the eastern half of Owasso. Residential streets close to downtown are accented with paved sidewalks that make the neighborhood walkable, while houses on the east side of Route 169 have better access to area parks.
Find smaller starter homes near downtown Owasso.
Small starter homes to expansive homes on acreage, Owasso has something for everyone.
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October’s Owasso Harvest Festival
In October, the Owasso Harvest Festival brings a carnival atmosphere to Redbud Festival Park. Redbud also hosts the seasonal farmer’s market, outdoor concerts and Lights On Owasso, the annual holiday tree-lighting ceremony. Rodeo fans can celebrate the Western lifestyle at Owasso Round-Up Club, west of the downtown area near the Waggin’ Trail dog park. Throughout the city, the Timmy & Cindy Project is an art initiative that brings style and whimsy to Owasso’s public spaces. Residents can spot the bronze statues of a young girl and boy exchanging grins on a bench outside the Owasso Historical Museum, tilting on a seesaw at Elm Creek Park and posing beneath an umbrella outside Fire Station #1.
Highway 169 to Tulsa
Owasso is 10 miles from Tulsa International Airport and 15 miles from downtown Tulsa, which increases its appeal for commuters. Highway 169 travels through the heart of town and connecting to Interstates 44 and 244 is a snap. “They’ve expanded the highway system,” Gillentine says. “I moved to Oklahoma in ’96, and at that time, it was just two lanes in and two lanes out, and there was always traffic when people were commuting. But that’s not really an issue anymore.” No public bus system exists, but Pelivan Transit offers demand-response service to the public during the work week.
The city has installed bike lanes on both sides of major roads in the downtown area and broader sidewalks to make streets more pedestrian-friendly. The Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program aims to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists by implementing speed bumps and multi-way stop signs.
As Owasso’s population expands, the city continues to work on its roadways. Several new turning lanes will be added to the roads around 96th Street North, making it easier for motorists to get onto the highways. Future projects include adding new traffic signals and equipment to boost traffic flow, improving the area of 96th Street North that lies west of the highway and upgrading the bridge over Highway 169.
Employment opportunities in Owasso
Many Owasso citizens work in the healthcare industry. St. Francis Health and Hillcrest Healthcare Systems, based in Tulsa, employ around 14,000 people. American Airlines, Tulsa Public Schools and retail distribution centers such as Macy’s and Amazon are also major employers in the area. “It’s a mixed bag,” Gillentine says. “I think most people commute to Tulsa because they want to raise their families in Owasso.” The suburb is also home to two major medical centers: Bailey Medical Center and Ascension St. John Owasso.
Families find discount goods at Dollar Tree in Owasso.
Ascension St. John is a large employer for the the city of Owasso.
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Things to consider
According to FBI data, the crime risk in Owasso trends lower than the national average and significantly lower than in nearby Tulsa. Most incidents are reported in the downtown area, and the risk of violent crime is much lower than that of property crime. As a suburb in Oklahoma, Owasso also sits in Tornado Alley. The risk of tornado damage is high by Oklahoma standards and especially high compared to the national average. The city utilizes outdoor warning devices throughout the densely populated areas to alert residents when tornado activity approaches. While twisters can make landfall anytime throughout the year, April, May and June are considered prime tornado season. Likewise, water quality is an ongoing issue throughout Oklahoma. Owasso’s Public Works Stormwater Division oversees the functionality of drainage channels and creeks throughout the city, working to repair erosion, remove blockages and clean up debris after storms.
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