Once the site of tribal land – and a subsequent land run – the city of Shawnee now stands as a Sooner State agricultural and cultural hub, 40 miles outside of downtown Oklahoma City. Shawnee, the county seat of Pottawatomie County and the headquarters for numerous Native American Tribes including the Absentee Shawnee and Potawatomi Nation, is home to over 30,000 residents, many of which work at the nearby Tinker Airforce Base or in high-tech manufacturing plants. The city emphasizes community events and charitable organizations. “One thing that’s unique is all of the non-profits we have here,” says Sheena Sigman, a local Realtor with Next Home Central Real Estate who was born and raised in Shawnee. “We have all this community involvement. We have seven non-profits, which is a lot for a smaller community.”
One of the things that makes Shawnee unique is the numerous non-profit organizations such as the Salvation Army.
Shawnee is home to the Potawatomi Nation Tribal Headquarters.
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Historic Downtown Shawnee features popular shops and restaurants
Historic Downtown Shawnee’s pre-statehood Main Street is the city’s pedestrian-friendly commercial heartbeat, lined with locally owned restaurants, quaint boutiques, and art galleries. “In downtown Shawnee, the city is doing a lot to revamp the area and make it a fun place to be,” Sigman says. “There’s more and more restaurants coming all the time.” Live music echoes from entertainment spots like the Brickhouse Saloon and Theo’s Backyard while tasty barbeque can be found at Van’s Pig Stand. Northern Shawnee features a collection of local restaurants, popular chains, and grocery stores. For a night out, there are multiple options, including the Kickapoo Casino and Firelake Casino and Entertainment Center.
In downtown Shawnee, Oak Ash & Thorn is a quaint boutique that offers unique art, stones, and jewelry.
On the northern end of Shawnee, locally owned Boomerang Diner serves up juicy burgers and more.
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New parks and nearby lakes
Shawnee has over 30 parks and 610 acres of green space, ensuring residents are always close to recreation. The newly constructed KidSpace Park has been listed as one of Oklahoma’s top 5 largest premier parks. “[It] was a big deal when we got it last year,” Sigman says. “The city spent a lot of money on it, making it a big addition to our parks scene.”
Popular cultural attractions include the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial and the Pottawatomie County Museum Complex. Visitors can also try and spot Shawnee’s Painted Horses, which is a collection of nearly three dozen hand-painted horses scattered throughout the town by local artists. The Potawatomi Fire competes in the Central Conference of The Basketball League (TBL) and is the first pro basketball team owned by a Native American Tribe. Boating and fishing are common activities as the city is close to multiple recreational lakes including the Shawnee Reservoir and Lake Thunderbird.
KidSpace Park offers several playgrounds, corn hole, a skate park, and pickleball.
Visitors to Shawnee can try to spot Shawnee’s Painted Horses, which are hand-painted by local artists.
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Brick-lined ranch homes are a common style
Brick-lined ranch homes are the most popular housing style in Shawnee. Newer builds often feature modern farmhouse-style architecture with white facades and large windows. There are also numerous plots of empty land ranging up to well over an acre. The median price in the city is around $215,000, which is well below the national average. Housing prices in Shawnee are slighty less than those of neighboring Oklahoma City.
Two-story homes are popular in Shawnee.
Housing prices in Shawnee are slightly less than those of neighboring Oklahoma City.
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The Shawnee Public School District serves students
The Shawnee Public School District serves the majority of residents and receives a B-minus rating on Niche. Students in the northern section of the city are served by the North Rock Creek School District, which receives a B-plus rating on Niche. Shawnee is also home to Oklahoma Baptist University and Gordon Cooper Technology Center. The University of Oklahoma is around 36 miles away.
People flock to Shawnee to attend Oral Roberts University.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center has several campuses in Shawnee.
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The Shawnee Christmas Parade is a popular community event
Shawnee’s Main Street comes to life in December during the Shawnee Christmas Parade, one of the largest nighttime holiday parades in the state. The gathering features an evening of display floats, marching bands, and a visit from Santa Claus. The Shawnee 177 Farmers Market is another popular attraction. The city’s main event center is the Heart of Oklahoma Expo, which offers 52 acres of fairgrounds, with indoor and outdoor amenities.
Horses show off their skills at the Shawnee Classic Barrel Race.
Monkey Business is held every year at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo.
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Well-connected to nearby Oklahoma City
Shawnee is near the convergence of two major highways in the area, Interstate 40 and US Route 177. Interstate 40 connects to Oklahoma City, 40 miles away. Without traffic, the commute is around 45 minutes and many residents work in the city’s growing energy and healthcare sectors. Will Rogers World Airport is around 43 miles away and offers numerous domestic flights.
Crime and environment
Shawnee experiences four seasons with warm summers where temperatures often reach into the 90s. Winters are cool and windy and the occasional cold plunge can bring snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Shawnee lies in Tornado Alley and experiences a handful of severe weather events, primarily in the spring and fall. Damaging winds, heavy rain, and hail are common with these events.
The Shawnee Police Department serves the city. The department reported an increase in violent crimes from 2023 to 2024. However, property crimes decreased in that same time frame.
Written By
Beck Connelley
Photography Contributed By
Lindsey Torres
Video By
Drew Webster
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Sherilyn Camp,
an experienced agent in this area.
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