Durant, Oklahoma

Durant, Oklahoma
Aerial view of Durant
Aerial view of Durant
Official seal of Durant, Oklahoma
Nickname(s): 
City of Magnolias and Gateway to Lake Texoma
Location within the state of Oklahoma
Location within the state of Oklahoma
Durant, Oklahoma is located in the United States
Durant, Oklahoma
Durant, Oklahoma
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 33°59′59″N 96°23′5″W / 33.99972°N 96.38472°W / 33.99972; -96.38472
CountryUnited States
StateOklahoma
CountyBryan
Government
 • MayorMartin Tucker
 • Vice MayorMike Simulescu
 • City ManagerTim Rundell
Area
 • Total
27.83 sq mi (72.08 km2)
 • Land27.76 sq mi (71.89 km2)
 • Water0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2)
Elevation669 ft (204 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
18,589
 • Density669.68/sq mi (258.56/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
74701-74702
Area code580
FIPS code40-22050[3]
GNIS feature ID2410375[2]
Websitewww.durant.org
Main Street in Durant

Durant (/drænt/) is a city in Bryan County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 18,589 in the 2020 census. It serves as the capital of the Choctaw Nation, and is the largest settlement on the reservation, ranking ahead of McAlester and Poteau. Durant is the principal city of the Durant Micropolitan Statistical Area, which had a population of 46,067 in 2020.[4] Durant is also part of the Dallas–Fort Worth Combined Statistical Area, anchoring the northern edge.[5]

The city was founded by Dixon Durant, a Choctaw who lived in the area,[6] after the MK&T railroad came through the Indian Territory in the early 1870s. It became the county seat of Bryan County[7] in 1907 after Oklahoma statehood.

Durant is home to Southeastern Oklahoma State University and the headquarters of the Choctaw Nation. The city is officially known as the Magnolia Capital of Oklahoma.[8] The city and its micropolitan are a major part of the Texoma region.

  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Durant, Oklahoma
  3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "Quick Facts: Bryan County, OK". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  5. ^ "Dallas–Fort Worth TX–OK Combined Statistical Area" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  6. ^ Phipps p. 180
  7. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  8. ^ "Master Plan – Section 2: The Campus of a Thousand Magnolias". Southeastern Oklahoma State University Master Plan. Southeastern Oklahoma State University. 2010. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2010.