The fabled Route 66 paves the way to the historic flour mill in Yukon, a bedroom community about 17 miles west of Oklahoma City. The city of 26,000 was founded in the 1890s and adopted its name from the gold rush that erupted in Canada’s Yukon Territory around the same time. Perhaps best known as the childhood home of country megastar Garth Brooks, Yukon is gaining popularity as more buyers head to the suburbs. “I think that Yukon has been not quite underrated, but overlooked,” says Jonathan Knight, Realtor with eXp Realty and host of YouTube’s Living in Oklahoma City. “Now it’s starting to get more attention, and with good reason. It’s on the smaller side, but not the smallest as far as the suburbs go. It’s low-key but has all the amenities of the bigger parts of the city.” Two of Yukon’s biggest attractors are highly rated public schools and popular seasonal events.
“Yukon’s Best Flour” glows brightly atop the historic Yukon flour mill along Route 66.
Yukon residents take pride in sharing the home of Garth Brooks.
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Antique stores and Czech bakeries downtown
In its earliest days, Yukon attracted a sizable Czech population due to its rich agricultural opportunities, and many restaurants along Route 66 reflect this heritage. The busy corridor is also home to antique and thrift stores, clothing retailers, pizzerias and pubs. Shoppers in search of popular chain restaurants and retailers head to the intersection of Garth Brooks Boulevard and I-40, known as the “Garth Brooks trade area.”
Treat yourself to a day filled with shopping and adventure in Yukon.
Shop 'till you drop at OKC Outlets in Yukon.
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New facilities at Yukon High School
The Yukon Public Schools district is one of the area’s top employers, weaving student life tightly into the fabric of the community. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1 and earns a Niche grade of B-plus. “Edmond’s got a reputation for great schools, but Yukon has some great schools as well, and you don’t have to deal with all the noise of a bigger suburb,” Knight says. Construction is underway on two new buildings for Yukon High School: a combination performing arts and instructional center that will add 17 new classrooms to the campus; and Yukon Millers Activity Facility, a sports venue.
Yukon Middle School gives kids a top notch learning experience.
After middle school, kids may attend Yukon High School.
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A varied architectural landscape
Although houses can be packed closely together in neighborhoods like Von Elm that include stretches of Route 66, Yukon’s housing landscape offers plenty of variety. “You can live in Yukon and be in a standard middle American suburban neighborhood, or in a more rural area,” Knight says. The median home price is about $270,000, roughly the same as Oklahoma City proper. Plenty of homes are priced in the $200,000 to $250,000 range, even the newer builds that are popping up in the northern and southern areas. Large modern contemporary houses might cost $500,000 to $800,000.
Discover the magic of Yukon living at its finest.
Charming ranch homes nestled in the heart of Von Elm East.
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The Festival Capital of Oklahoma
Yukon’s Parks and Recreation department emphasizes competitive sports and fitness. The system's parks feature baseball and soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts, and numerous exercise trails.
Yukon is sometimes called the “Festival Capital of Oklahoma,” and its roster of seasonal events is at once eclectic and evocative of local culture. June’s Chisholm Trail and Crawfish Festival brings Cajun flair to town with authentic cuisine, live music, dance lessons and kids’ activities. In late August, locals attend a series of free concerts at the “Rock the Route” country music festival on Route 66. The Oklahoma Czech Festival, held in October, honors Yukon’s ties to Czech culture and heritage with a three-day celebration that includes a carnival, parade, live music and thousands of kolache pastries.
Czech Festival activities begin Friday evening with a carnival in downtown Yukon.
Bring a lawn chair and enjoy live music at Concerts in the Park in Yukon.
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Commuting to OKC on Route 66
Most Yukon residents drive 17 miles to Oklahoma City for work, and Route 66 and Interstate 40 run right through town to ease the commute. Healthcare professionals might seek jobs at INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital, which is based in Yukon and employs about 450 people. The hospital is set to expand with a new building that will allow for the addition of 30 more physicians. Will Rogers World Airport, the largest in the state, is 15 miles away.
Crime
Rates of violent crime are low by state and national standards, per FBI data. Property crime also tends to trend below these averages, but reported incidents have spiked sharply from time to time throughout the past five years.
Tornado risk and stormwater runoff
Yukon is in Tornado Alley, where storm watches and warnings are frequent. Buyers should ensure that their home insurance policies cover wind and storm damage. Stormwater runoff can sometimes cause pollutants to contaminate the city’s water supply as well.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
