Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa
City
The Skyline of Downtown Tulsa BOK Center Philbrook Museum The Tulsa Historic Route 66sign Boston Avenue Church Golden Drillerat SageNet Center Oral Roberts University
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): "Oil Capital of the World", "Tulsey Town", "T-Town", "Green Country", "Buckle of the Bible Belt", "The 918" "The Town"
Motto: "A New Kind of Energy"
Interactive map of Tulsa
Coordinates:36°07′53″N95°56′14″W / 36.13139°N 95.93722°W /36.13139; -95.93722
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
Counties	Osage,Rogers,Tulsa,Wagoner
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
•Mayor	G. T. Bynum(R)
Area [1]
•City	201.85 sq mi (522.79 km2)
• Land	197.76 sq mi (512.21 km2)
• Water	4.09 sq mi (10.58 km2)
Elevation	722 ft (194 m)
Population ( 2020)
•City	413,066
• Rank	48thin the United States 2ndin Oklahoma
• Density	2,088.67/sq mi (806.44/km2)
•Urban	722,810 (US: 60th)
• Urban density	2,136.5/sq mi (824.9/km2)
•Metro [2]	1,034,123 (US: 54th)
Demonym	Tulsan
Time zone	UTC−6(CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5(CDT)
ZIP Codes	ZIP Codes [3] 74101–74108, 74110, 74112, 74114–74117, 74119–74121, 74126, 74127–74137, 74141, 74145–74150, 74152–74153, 74155–74159, 74169–74172, 74182, 74186–74187, 74192–74193
Area code(s)	539/918
FIPS code	40-75000
GNISfeature ID	1100962[4]
Website	www.cityoftulsa.org

Tulsa(/ˈtʌlsə/TULL-sə) is thesecond-most-populous cityin thestateofOklahoma, afterOklahoma City, and is the48th-most-populouscity in the United States. The population was 413,066 as of the2020 census.^[5]It is the principal municipality of theTulsa metropolitan area, a region with 1,034,123 residents. The city serves as thecounty seatofTulsa County, the most densely populated county in Oklahoma,^[6]withurban developmentextending intoOsage,RogersandWagonercounties.^[7]

Tulsa was settled between 1828 and 1836 by the Lochapoka Band ofCreekNative American tribe and most of Tulsa is still part of the territory of theMuscogee (Creek) Nation.^[8][a]

Historically, a robust energy sector fueled Tulsa's economy; however, today the city has diversified and leading sectors include finance, aviation, telecommunications and technology.^[9]Two institutions of higher education within the city have sports teams at theNCAA Division Ilevel: theUniversity of TulsaandOral Roberts University. As well, theUniversity of Oklahomahas a secondary campus at the Tulsa Schusterman Center, andOklahoma State Universityhas a secondary campus located in downtown Tulsa. For most of the 20th century, the city held the nickname "Oil Capital of the World" and played a major role as one of the most important hubs for theAmerican oil industry.^[10]

It is situated on theArkansas Riverbetween theOsage Hillsand the foothills of theOzark Mountainsin northeast Oklahoma, a region of the state known as "Green Country". Considered the cultural and arts center of Oklahoma,^[11][12]Tulsa houses two art museums, full-time professional opera and ballet companies, and one of the nation's largest concentrations ofart decoarchitecture.^[13]

The area where Tulsa now exists is consideredIndian Territory, on the land of theKiikaapoi(Kickapoo), Wahzhazhe Ma zha (Osage),Muscogee(Creek), andCaddotribes, among others,^[14]before it was first formally settled by theMuscogee (Creek) Nationin 1836.^[15]They established a small settlement under theCreek Council Oak Treeat the present-day intersection of Cheyenne Avenue and 18th Street.^[16]They named their new settlementTallasi, meaning "old town" in Creek, which later became "Tulsa".^[15]The area around Tulsa was also settled by members of the other so-called "Five Civilized Tribes" who had been relocated to Oklahoma from the Southern United States.^{[citation needed]}Most of modern Tulsa is located in theCreek Nation, with parts located in theCherokeeandOsage Nations.^{[citation needed]}

Although Oklahoma was not yet a state during theCivil War, the Tulsa area saw its share of fighting. TheBattle of Chusto-Talasahtook place on the north side of Tulsa and several battles and skirmishes took place in nearby counties. After the War, the tribes signedReconstruction treatieswith the federal government that in some cases required substantial land concessions. In the years after the Civil War and around the turn of the century, the area along the Arkansas River that is now Tulsa was periodically home to or visited by a series of colorful outlaws, including the legendaryWild Bunch, theDalton Gang, andLittle Britches.^{[citation needed]}

Around August 1, 1882, the town was almost centered at a location just north of the current Whittier Square, when a construction crew laying out the line of theSt. Louis-San Francisco Railroadchose that spot for a sidetrack.^[17]However, an area merchant persuaded them to move the site further west into the Muscogee Nation, which had friendlier laws for white business owners.^[17]On January 18, 1898, Tulsa was officially incorporated and electedEdward E. Calkinsas the city's first mayor.^[18]

Tulsa was still a micro town near the banks of theArkansas Riverin 1901 when its first oil well, named Sue Bland No. 1,^[18]was established. Much of the oil was discovered on land whose mineral rights were owned by members of theOsage Nationunder a system of headrights. By 1905, the discovery of the grandGlenn Pool Oil Reserve(located approximately 15 miles south of downtown Tulsa and site of the present-day town ofGlenpool) prompted a rush of entrepreneurs to the area's growing number of oil fields; Tulsa's population swelled to over 140,000 between 1901 and 1930.^[19]Unlike the early settlers of Northeastern Oklahoma, who most frequently migrated from theSouthandTexas, many of these new oil-driven settlers came to Tulsa from the commercial centers of the East Coast and lower Midwest. This migration distinguished the city's demographics from neighboring communities (Tulsa has larger and more prominent Catholic and Jewish populations than most Oklahoma cities) and is reflected in the designs of early Tulsa's upscale neighborhoods.

Known as the "Oil Capital of the World" for most of the 20th century, the city's success in the energy industry prompted construction booms in the popularArt Decostyle of the time.^[10]Profits from the oil industry continued through theGreat Depression, helping the city's economy fare better than most in the United States during the 1930s.^[20]

In 1923,Harweldenwas built by oil baron E. P. Harwell and his wife Mary, and is an example of prosperity in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the 1920s.

In the early 20th century, Tulsa was home to the "Black Wall Street", one of the most prosperous Black communities in the United States at the time.^[21]Located in theGreenwoodneighborhood, it was the site of theTulsa Race Massacre, said to be "the single worst incident ofracial violence in American history",^[22]in which mobs of White Tulsans killed Black Tulsans, looted and robbed the Black community, and burned down homes and businesses.^[21]Sixteen hours of massacring on May 31 and June 1, 1921, ended only when National Guardsmen were brought in by the governor. An official report later claimed that 23 Black and 16 White citizens were killed, but other estimates suggest as many as 300 people died, most of them Black.^[21]Over 800 people were admitted to local hospitals with injuries, and an estimated 1,000 Black people were left homeless as 35 city blocks, composed of 1,256 residences, were destroyed by fire. Property damage was estimated at$1.8 million.^[21]Efforts to obtain reparations for survivors of the violence have been unsuccessful, but the events were re-examined by the city and state in the early 21st century, acknowledging the terrible actions that had taken place.^[23]

In 1925, Tulsa businessmanCyrus Avery, known as the "Father ofRoute 66,"^[25]began his campaign to create a road linkingChicagotoLos Angelesby establishing theU.S. Highway 66 Associationin Tulsa, earning the city the nickname the "Birthplace of Route 66".^[26]Once completed, U.S. Route 66 took an important role in Tulsa's development as the city served as a popular rest stop for travelers, who were greeted by Route 66 icons such as the Meadow Gold Sign and theBlue Whale of Catoosa. During this period,Bob Willsand his group,The Texas Playboys, began their long performing stint at a small ballroom in downtown Tulsa. In 1935,Cain's Ballroombecame the base for the group,^[24]which is largely credited for creatingWestern Swingmusic. The venue continued to attract famous musicians through its history, and is still in operation today.^[24]

For the rest of the mid-20th century, the city had a master plan to construct parks, churches, museums, rose gardens, improved infrastructure, and increased national advertising.^[10]TheSpavinaw Dam, built during this era to accommodate the city's water needs, was considered one of the largest public works projects of the era.^[27]

A national recession greatly affected the city's economy in 1982, as areas of Texas and Oklahoma heavily dependent on oil suffered thefreefall in gas pricesdue to a glut, and a mass exodus of oil industries.^[28]Tulsa, heavily dependent on the oil industry, was one of the hardest-hit cities by the fall of oil prices.^[28]By 1992, the state's economy had fully recovered,^[28]but leaders worked to expand into sectors unrelated to oil and energy.

In 2003, the "Vision 2025" program was approved by voters, to enhance and revitalize Tulsa's infrastructure and tourism industry. The keystone project of the initiative, theBOK Center, was designed to be a home for the city's minor league hockey and arena football teams, as well as a venue for major concerts and conventions. The multi-purpose arena, designed by famed architectCesar Pelli, broke ground in 2005^[29]and was opened on August 30, 2008.^[30]

In July 2020 the Supreme Court ruled inMcGirt v. Oklahomathat as it pertains to criminal law much of eastern Oklahoma, including Tulsa, remains as Native American lands.^[31]Specifically, prosecution of crimes by Native Americans on these lands falls into the jurisdiction of thetribal courtsandfederal judiciaryunder theMajor Crimes Act, rather than Oklahoma's courts.^[32]

Tulsa is located in the northeastern corner ofOklahomabetween the edge of theGreat Plainsand the foot of theOzarksin a generally forested region of rolling hills. The city touches the eastern extent of theCross Timbers, anecoregionofforestandprairietransitioning from the drier plains of the west to the wetter forests of the east.^[33]With a wetter climate than points westward, Tulsa serves as a gateway to "Green Country", a popular and official designation for northeast Oklahoma that stems from the region's green vegetation and relatively large number of hills and lakes compared to central and western areas of Oklahoma,^[34]which lie largely in the drierGreat Plainsregion of the Central United States. Located near the western edge of theU.S. Interior Highlands, northeastern Oklahoma is the most topographically diverse part of the state, containing seven of Oklahoma's 11 eco-regions^[35]and more than half of its state parks.^[36]The region encompasses 30 lakes or reservoirs^[37]and borders the neighboring states ofKansas,Missouri, andArkansas.

The city developed on both sides of the prominentArkansas River, which flows in a wide, sandy-bottomed channel. Its flow through the Tulsa area is controlled by upstreamflood control reservoirs, but its width and depth can vary widely throughout the year, such as during periods of high rainfall or severe drought. A low-water dam was built to maintain a full channel at all times in the area adjacent to downtown Tulsa. This portion of the river was known asZink Lake. However, the City of Tulsa allowed the dam to deteriorate and it no longer functions to retain the lake for which it was designed.^[38][39]

Heavily wooded and with abundant parks and water areas, the city has several prominent hills, such as "Shadow Mountain" and "Turkey Mountain", which create varied terrain, especially in its southern portions. While its central and northern sections are generally flat to gently undulating, theOsage Hillsextension into the northwestern part of the city further varies the landscape. Holmes Peak, north of the city, is the tallest point in theTulsa Metro areaat 1,360 ft (415 m)^[40]According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 186.8 square miles (484 km²), of which 182.6 square miles (473 km²) is land and 4.2 square miles (11 km²) (2.24%) is water.

A building boom in Tulsa in the early 20th century coincided with the rise of art deco architecture in the United States.^[20]Most commonly in the zigzag andstreamlinestyles,^[20]the city's art deco is dotted throughout its older neighborhoods, primarily in downtown and midtown. A collection of large art deco structures such as theMid-Continent Tower, theBoston Avenue Methodist Church,Will Rogers High School, and thePhiltower, have attracted events promoting the preservation and architectural interest.^{[citation needed]}

In addition, the city's early prosperity funded the construction of many elegant Craftsmen, Georgian, storybook, Tudor, Greek Revival,Italianate,Spanish revival, and colonial revival homes (many of which can be found in Tulsa's uptown and Midtown neighborhoods). Noted architects and firms working in Tulsa during this period include Charles Dilbeck,^[41]John Duncan Forsyth, andNelle Peters.

Growth in the twentieth century gave the city a larger base of contemporary architectural styles, including several buildings by famed Tulsa architectsBruce GoffandAdah Robinson. ThePrairie Schoolwas very influential in Tulsa:Barry Byrnedesigned Tulsa's Christ the King Church and, in 1927,Frank Lloyd Wright's midtown Tulsa residential projectWesthopewas completed. In particular, the middle of the 20th century brought a wealth of modern architecture to Tulsa. Tulsa's Mies-trained modernistRobert Lawton Jonesdesigned many buildings in the region, including the Tulsa International Airport.^[42]Other noted modernists working in Tulsa include the pioneering Texas architectO'Neil Ford^[43]andJoseph R. Koberling Jr., who had also been active during the art deco period. South, East, and Midtown Tulsa are home to a number of the ranch and Mid-Century Modern homes that reflect Tulsa's prosperous post-war period.

TheBOK Tower, built during this period, is the second tallest building in Oklahoma and the surrounding states of Missouri,New Mexico,Arkansas, and Kansas.^[44]Tulsa also has the third-, and fourth-tallest buildings in the state, including theCityplex Tower, which is located in South Tulsa across from Oral Roberts University, far from downtown.^[45]One of the area's unique architectural complexes, Oral Roberts University, is built in aPost-Modern Futuristicstyle, incorporating bright gold structures with sharp, jetting edges and clear geometric shapes. TheBOK Center, Tulsa's new arena, incorporates many of the city's most prominent themes, including Native American, art deco, and contemporary architectural styles.^[46]Intended to be an architectural icon,^[47]the building was designed byCésar Pelli, the architect of thePetronas TowersinMalaysia.

Downtown Tulsais an area of approximately 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) surrounded by an inner-dispersal loop created by Interstate 244, Highway 64, and Highway 75.^[48]The area serves as Tulsa's financial and business district, and is the focus of a large initiative to draw tourism, which includes plans to capitalize on the area's historic architecture.^[49]Much of Tulsa's convention space is located in downtown, such as theTulsa Performing Arts Center, theTulsa Convention Center, and theBOK Center. Prominent downtown sub-districts include the Blue Dome District, the Brady Arts district, the "Oil Capital Historic District", the Greenwood Historical District,Owen ParkHistorical Neighborhood, and the site ofONEOK Field, a baseball stadium for theTulsa Drillersopened in 2010.^[50][51][52]

The city's historical residential core lies in an area known as Midtown, containing upscale neighborhoods built in the early 20th century with architecture ranging from art deco toGreek Revival. The University of Tulsa, theSwan Lakeneighborhood,Philbrook Museum, and the upscale shopping districts ofUtica Square, Cherry Street, and Brookside are located in this region. A large portion of the city's southern half has developed since the 1970s, containing low-density housing and retail developments. This region, marked by secluded homes and suburban neighborhoods, contains one of the state's largest shopping malls,Woodland Hills Mall, as well asSouthern Hills Country Club, and Oral Roberts University. East of Highway 169 and north of 61st street, a diverse racial makeup marks the eastern portions of the city, with largeAsianandMexicancommunities and much of the city's manufacturing industry.

Areas of Tulsa west of the Arkansas River are calledWest Tulsaand are marked by large parks, wilderness reserves, and large oil refineries. The northern tier of the city is home toOSU-Tulsa,Gilcrease Museum,Tulsa International Airport, theTulsa Zoo, theTulsa Air and Space Museum, and the nation's third-largest municipal park,Mohawk Park.^[53]

Tulsa has atemperateclimate of thehumid subtropicalvariety (KöppenCfa) with a yearly average temperature of 61.3 °F (16.3 °C) and average precipitation of just under 41 inches (1,000 mm) per year. Average monthly precipitation is lowest from December to February, and peaks dramatically in May, which averages 5.9 inches (150 mm) of rainfall. Early June can still be wet, but late June through the end of August is frequently dry. On average, Tulsa experiences a secondary rainfall peak in September and early October. As is typical of temperate zones, weather patterns vary by season with occasional extremes in temperature and rainfall.^[54]

Primarily in the spring and early summer months, the city is subjected to severethunderstormscontaining largehail, damaging winds, and, occasionally,tornadoes,^[54]providing the area with a disproportionate share of its annual rainfall.^[55]Severe weather is not limited to this season, however. For instance, on December 5, 1975, and on December 24, 1982, Tulsa experienced tornadoes.^[54]Due toits potential for major flooding events, the city has developed one of the most extensive flood control systems in the nation.^[56]A comprehensive flood management plan was developed in 1984 following a severe flood caused by a stalledweather frontthat dropped 15 in (380 mm) of rain overnight, killing 14, injuring 288, and destroying 7,000 buildings totaling$180 millionin damage.^[56]In the early 1990s^[56]and again in 2000,^[57]theFederal Emergency Management Agencyhonored Tulsa as leading the nation in flood plain management. Triple-digit temperatures (≥38 °C) are observed on average 11 days per year, most of which occur from July to early September,^[58]and are usually accompanied by high humidity brought in by southerly winds.^[54]The highest recorded temperature was 115 °F (46 °C) on August 10, 1936.^[59]Lack of air circulation due to heat and humidity during the summer months leads to higher concentrations ofozone, prompting the city to release "Ozone Alerts", encouraging all parties to do their part in complying with theClean Air ActandUnited States Environmental Protection Agencystandards.^[60]The autumn season is usually short, consisting of pleasant, sunny days followed by cool nights.^[58]Winter temperatures, while generally mild, dip below 10 °F (−12 °C) on average three nights per year, and occasionally below 0 °F (−18 °C), the most recent such occurrence being a −13 °F (−25 °C) reading on February 16, 2021.^[61]The record for the highest seasonal snowfall is 26.1 inches (66.3 cm) set in the winter of 2010–2011. Only three winters on record have officially recorded trace amounts or no snowfall, the most recent being 1910–11.^[61]The lowest recorded temperature was −16 °F (−27 °C) on January 22, 1930.

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricatorand on MediaWiki.org.

See or editraw graph data.

AnEF2tornado struck Tulsa early on the morning of Sunday, August 6, 2017.^[64][65]The funnel touched down just after 1 A.M. near 36th Street and Harvard Avenue, then travelled in an easterly direction for about six minutes. The heaviest property damage occurred along 41st Street between Yale Avenue and Sheridan Road. Two restaurants,TGI Friday'sandWhataburger, were particularly hard hit, with several people being sent to hospitals for treatment.^[66]The Whataburger was later bulldozed, and rebuilt in 2019.^[67]

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1900	1,390		—
1910	18,182		1,208.1%
1920	72,075		296.4%
1930	141,258		96.0%
1940	142,157		0.6%
1950	182,740		28.5%
1960	261,685		43.2%
1970	331,638		26.7%
1980	360,919		8.8%
1990	367,302		1.8%
2000	393,049		7.0%
2010	391,906		−0.3%
2020	413,066		5.4%
2022 (est.)	411,867		−0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[68][5]

Tulsa, Oklahoma – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000[69]	Pop 2010[70]	Pop 2020[71]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
Whitealone (NH)	263,782	227,021	200,257	67.11%	57.93%	48.48%
Black or African Americanalone (NH)	60,297	61,230	60,505	15.34%	15.62%	14.65%
Native AmericanorAlaska Nativealone (NH)	18,005	19,473	18,975	4.58%	4.97%	4.59%
Asianalone (NH)	7,096	8,926	14,157	1.81%	2.28%	3.43%
Pacific Islanderalone (NH)	165	278	857	0.04%	0.07%	0.21%
Other racealone (NH)	458	473	1,548	0.12%	0.12%	0.37%
Mixed race or Multiracial(NH)	15,135	19,239	37,710	3.85%	4.91%	9.13%
Hispanic or Latino(any race)	28,111	55,266	79,057	7.15%	14.10%	19.14%
Total	393,049	391,906	413,066	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

According to the2010 census, Tulsa had a population of 391,906 and the racial and ethnic composition was as follows:^[72]White American: 62.6% (57.9%Non-Hispanic Whites);^[73]Black, 15.6%;Hispanic or Latino(of any race), 14.1% (11.5%Mexican, 0.4%Puerto Rican, 0.3%Guatemalan, 0.2%Spanish, 0.2%Honduran, 0.2%Salvadoran); some other race, 8.0%;Two or more races, 5.9%;Native American, 5.3%;Asian American, 2.3% (0.5%Hmong, 0.4%Vietnamese, 0.3%Chinese, 0.2%Indian, 0.2%Korean, 0.2%Burmese); andNative Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.1%. In the2020 census, its population increased to 413,066.

As of the2010 census, there were 391,906 people, 163,975 households, and 95,246 families residing in the city, with a population density of 2,033.4 inhabitants per square mile (785.1/km²) There were 185,127 housing units at an average density of 982.3 per square mile (379.3/km²). Of 163,975 households, 27% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. Of all households, 34.5% are made up of only one person, and 10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 people and the average family size was 3.04.^[72]

In the city proper, the age distribution was 24.8% of the population under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older, while the median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males, while for every 100 females over the age of 17 there were 90.4 males. In 2011, the median income for a household in the city was $40,268 and the median income for a family was $51,977. The per capita income for the city was $26,727. About 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line.^[72]Of the city's population over the age of 25, 29.8% holds a bachelor's degree or higher, and 86.5% have a high school diploma orequivalent.^[72][74]

The Tulsametropolitan area, or the region immediately surrounding Tulsa with strong social and economic ties to the city,^[75]occupies a large portion of the state's northeastern quadrant. It is informally known as "Green Country", a longstanding name adopted by the state's official tourism designation for all of northeastern Oklahoma (its usage concerning the Tulsa Metropolitan Area can be traced to the early part of the 20th century).^[76]

TheU.S. Census Bureaudefines the sphere of the city's influence as the Tulsametropolitan statistical area(MSA), spanning seven counties: Tulsa,Rogers, Osage, Wagoner,Okmulgee,Pawnee, andCreek. The 2020 U.S. census shows the Tulsa MSA to have 1,015,331 residents^[77]The 2020 U.S. census shows the Tulsa-Muscogee-Bartlesville CSA to have 1,134,125 residents.^[78][79]

Tulsa has a large conservative following, with the majority of Tulsans being Christians. The second-largest religion in Tulsa is Islam, followed by Buddhism and Judaism.^[80]

Tulsa is part of the Southern region demographers and commentators^[who?]refer to as the "Bible Belt," where Protestant and, in particular,Southern Baptistand otherevangelicalChristian traditions are very prominent. In fact, Tulsa, home toOral Roberts University,Phillips Theological Seminary, andRHEMA Bible Training College(in the suburb ofBroken Arrow), is sometimes called the "buckle of the Bible Belt".^[81][82]Tulsa is also home to a number of vibrantMainline Protestantcongregations. Some of these congregations were founded during the oil boom of the early twentieth century and are noted for striking architecture, such as the art decoBoston Avenue Methodist ChurchandFirst Presbyterian Church of Tulsa. The metropolitan area has at least four religious radio stations (KCFO,KNYD,KXOJ, &KPIM), and at least two religious TV stations (KWHB&KGEB).

While the state of Oklahoma has fewer Roman Catholics than the national average,^[83]Holy Family Cathedralserves as the Cathedral for the Diocese of Tulsa.

Tulsa is also home to the largest Jewish community in Oklahoma, with active Reform, Conservative and Orthodox congregations.^[84]Tulsa'sSherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Artoffers the largest collection of Judaica in the South-Central and Southwestern United States.

Tulsa is also home to the progressiveAll Souls Unitarian Church, reportedly the largestUnitarian Universalistcongregation in the United States.^[85][86][87]

Chùa Tam Bào (Vietnamese: "Three Jewels Temple"), then Oklahoma's only Buddhist temple, was established in east Tulsa in 1993 by Vietnamese refugees. A 57-foot-tall (17 m) granite statue of Quan Âm (commonly known by her Chinese name,Guanyin) is located in the grounds.^[88]

Tulsa
Crime rates* (2017)
Violent crimes
Homicide	17.29
Rape	104.48
Robbery	238.10
Aggravated assault	680.96
Total violent crime	1,040.83
Property crimes
Burglary	1,376.75
Larceny-theft	3,224.26
Motor vehicle theft	854.60
Arson	35.57
Total property crime	5,455.61
Notes *Number of reported crimes per 100,000 population. 2017 population: 404,868 Source:2017 FBI UCR Data

Tulsa experienced elevated levels of gang violence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, whencrack cocaineflooded neighborhoods in North Tulsa. Tulsa gang problems became noticeable after an outbreak of gang-related crime between 1980 and 1983, which was traced to the Crips, a local gang which had been founded by two brothers whose family had recently moved to Oklahoma fromCompton.^[89]In 1986, gang graffiti started to show up on walls and drive-by shootings started occurring on late nights.^[90]In 1990 the city hit a record of 60 homicides, the highest since the 1981 peak.^[91]North Tulsa has the highest crime rate in the city, with public housing projects being the most heavily affected areas.^[92][93], theBroken Arrow murderstook place on July 22, 2015, when five members of the Bever family were murdered inBroken Arrow, Oklahoma.^[94]the attackers were identified as 18 year-old Robert Bever and 16 year-old Michael Bever.^[95]On June 1, 2022, amass shootingoccurred in a medical center, killing at least 4 people, including the perpetrator.^[96]

TheUnited States Oil and Gas Associationwas founded in Tulsa on October 13, 1917.^[97]Over the city's history many large oil companies have been headquartered in the city, including Warren Petroleum (which merged withGulf Oilin what was then the largest merger in the energy industry),Skelly Oil,Getty OilandCITGO. In addition,ConocoPhillipswas headquartered in nearbyBartlesville. Industry consolidation and increased offshore drilling threatened Tulsa's status as an oil capital, but new drilling techniques and the rise of natural gas have buoyed the growth of the city's energy sector.

Today, Tulsa is again home to the headquarters of many international oil- and gas-related companies, includingWilliams Companies,ONE Gas,Syntroleum,ONEOK,Laredo Petroleum, Samson Resources,Helmerich & Payne,Magellan Midstream Partners, and Excel Energy.

Tulsa has diversified to capitalize on its status as a regional hub with substantial innovation assets. Products from Tulsa manufacturers account for about sixty percent of Oklahoma's exports,^[98]and in 2001, the city's totalgross productwas in the top one-third of metropolitan areas, states, and countries, with more than$29 billionin total goods, growing at a rate of$250 millioneach year.^[99]

Tulsa's primary employers are small and medium-sized businesses: there are 30 companies in Tulsa that employ more than 1,000 people locally,^[100]and small businesses make up more than 80% of the city's companies.^[101]

During a national recession from 2001 to 2003, the city lost 28,000 jobs.^[98]In response, a development initiative,Vision 2025, promised to incite economic growth and recreate lost jobs. Projects spurred by the initiative promised urban revitalization, infrastructure improvement, tourism development, riverfront retail development, and further diversification of the economy. By 2007, employment levels had surpassed pre-recession heights^[98][102]and the city was in a significant economic development and investment surge.^[103]This economic improvement is also seen in Tulsa's housing trends which show an average of a 6% increase in rent in 2010.^[104]Since 2006, more than 28,000 jobs have been added to the city. The unemployment rate of Tulsa in August 2014 was 4.5%.^[105][106]

Though the oil industry has historically dominated Tulsa's economy, efforts in economic diversification have created a base in the sectors ofaerospace, finance, technology, telecommunications,high tech, and manufacturing.^[9]A number of substantial financial corporations are headquartered in Tulsa, the largest being theBOK Financial Corporation. Among these financial services firms are energy trading operations, asset management firms, investment funds, and a range of commercial banks. The national convenience store chainQuikTrip, fast-casual restaurant chainCamille's Sidewalk Cafe, and pizza chainMazzio'sare all headquartered in Tulsa, as is Southern regional BBQ restaurantRib Crib. Tulsa is also home to theMarshall Brewing Company.

Tulsa is also home to a burgeoning media industry, includingPennWell, consumer review websiteConsumerAffairs,Stephens Media Group,This Land Press, Educational Development Corporation (the parent publisher ofKane/Miller),GEB America, Blooming Twig Books, and a full range of local media outlets, includingTulsa Worldand local magazines, radio and television. Tulsa is also a hub for national construction and engineering companies includingManhattan Construction CompanyandFlintco. A number of theCherokee Nation Businessesare also headquartered or have substantial operations in Tulsa.

Tulsa's aerospace industry is substantial and growing. AnAmerican Airlinesmaintenance base at Tulsa International Airport is the city's largest employer and the largest maintenance facility in the world, serving as the airline's global maintenance and engineering headquarters.^[107]American Airlines announced in February, 2020 that it will pour $550 million over seven years into its maintenance base, this being the largest single economic development investment in city history.^[108]TheTulsa Port of Catoosaand the Tulsa International Airport house extensive transit-focused industrial parks.^[109][110]Tulsa is also home to a division ofLufthansa, the headquarters ofOmni Air International, and theSpartan College of Aeronautics and Technology.

Tulsa is also part of the Oklahoma-South Kansas Unmanned Aerial Systems (drone) industry cluster, a region which awarded funding by the U.S.Small Business Administrationto build on its progress as a hub this emerging industry.^[111]

As the second largest metropolitan area in Oklahoma and a hub for the growingNortheastern Oklahoma-Northwest Arkansas-Southwestern Missouricorridor, the city is also home to a number of the region's most sophisticated law, accounting, and medical practices. Its location in the center of the nation also makes it a hub for logistics businesses; theTulsa International Airport(TUL) and the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, connect the region with international trade and transportation.

Amazonrecently announced plans to build a more than 600,000-square-foot fulfillment center near Tulsa International Airport. The company will invest an estimated $130 million for this state-of-the-art facility, which will employ around 1,500 people with an annual payroll of roughly $50 million.^[112]

Tulsa culture is influenced by the nearbySouthwest,Midwest, andSoutherncultural regions, as well as a historical Native American presence. These influences are expressed in the city's museums, cultural centers, performing arts venues, ethnic festivals, park systems, zoos, wildlife preserves, and large and growing collections of public sculptures, monuments, and artwork.^[113]

Tulsa is home to several museums. Located in the former villa ofoilpioneerWaite Phillipsin Midtown Tulsa, thePhilbrook Museum of Artis considered one of the top 50fine artmuseums in the United States and is one of only five to offer a combination of a historic home, formal gardens, and an art collection.^[114]The museum's expansive collection includes work by a diverse group of artists includingPablo Picasso,Andrew Wyeth,Giovanni Bellini,Domenico di Pace Beccafumi,Willem de Kooning,William Merritt Chase,Auguste RodinandGeorgia O'Keeffe. Philbrook also maintains a satellite campus in downtown Tulsa.

In theOsage Hillsof Northwest Tulsa, theGilcrease Museumholds the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts of the American West.^[115]The museum includes the extensive collection of Native American oilman and famed art collectorThomas Gilcreasewith numerous works byFrederic Remington,Thomas Moran,Albert BierstadtandJohn James Audubonamong the many displayed.

On the west bank of the Arkansas River in the suburb ofJenks, theOklahoma Aquariumis the state's only freestanding aquarium, containing over 200 exhibits, including a shark tank.^[116]

In addition, the city hosts a number of galleries, experimental art-spaces, smaller museums, and display spaces located throughout the city (clustered mostly in downtown, Brookside, and the Pearl District). Living Arts of Tulsa, in downtown Tulsa, is among the organizations dedicated to promoting and sustaining an active arts scene in the city.

Opened in April 2013, theWoody Guthrie Centerin the Tulsa Arts District is Tulsa's newest museum and archive. In addition to interactive state-of-the-art museum displays, theWoody GuthrieCenter also houses the Woody Guthrie Archives, containing thousands of Guthrie's personal items, sheet music, manuscripts, books, photos, periodicals, and other items associated with the iconic Oklahoma native.^[117]The archives of Guthrie protégé, singer-songwriterBob Dylanwill also be displayed in Tulsa when a new facility designed to showcaseThe Bob Dylan Archiveis completed.

The Church Studiois a recording studio and tourist attraction with an archive of more than 5,000 pieces. Constructed in 1915, the church was listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesdue to musicianLeon Russell, who turned the old church into a recording studio and office toShelter Recordsin 1972.

With remnants of theHolocaustand artifacts relevant toJudaismin Oklahoma, theSherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Artpreserves the largest collection ofJudaicain the Southwestern and South-Central United States.^[118]Other museums, such as the Tulsa Historical Society, theTulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium, theOklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, and the Tulsa Geosciences Center, document histories of the region, while theGreenwood Cultural Centerpreserves the culture of the city's African American heritage, housing a collection of artifacts and photography that document the history of theBlack Wall Streetbefore theTulsa Race Massacreof 1921.

Since 1969, public displays of artwork in Tulsa have been funded by one percent of its annual city budget.^[113]Each year, a sculpture from a local artist is installed along the Arkansas River trail system, while other sculptures stand at local parks, such as an enlarged version ofCyrus Dallin'sAppeal to the Great Spiritsculpture atWoodward Park.^[113]At the entrance to Oral Roberts University stands a large statue of praying hands, which, at 60 feet (18 m) high, is the largest bronze sculpture in the world.^[119]As a testament to the city's oil heritage, the 76-foot (23 m)Golden Drillerguards the front entrance to the Tulsa County Fairgrounds. Tulsa has a number of exhibits related toU.S. Route 66, including The Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, located next to the east entrance of the historic11th Street Bridge. The Plaza contains a giant sculpture weighing 20,000 pounds (9,100 kg) and costing $1.178 million^[120]called "East Meets West" of the Avery family riding west in a Model T Ford meeting an eastbound horse-drawn carriage.^[121]In 2020, Avery Plaza Southwest is scheduled to open, at the west end of the bridge, and should include replicas of three neon signs from Tulsa-area Route 66 motels from the era, being the Will Rogers Motor Court. Tulsa Auto Court, and the Oil Capital Motel.^[122]Tulsa has also installed "Route 66 Rising," a 70 by 30 ft (21 by 9 m) sculpture on the road's eastern approach to town at East Admiral Place and Mingo Road.^[123]In addition, Tulsa has constructed twenty-nine historical markers scattered along the 26-mile (42 km) route of the highway through Tulsa, containing tourist-oriented stories, historical photos, and a map showing the location of historical sites and the other markers.^[124]The markers are mostly along the highway's post-1932 alignment down 11th Street, with some along the road's 1926 path down Admiral Place.^[124]

The largest augmented reality mural in the world, "The Majestic", a 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m²) work which adorns two sides of the Main Park Plaza at 410 S. Main downtown, was completed in October 2021.^[126]The $230,000 project was created by Los Angeles-based artists Ryan "Yanoe" Sarfati and Eric "Zoueh" Skotnes.^[126]The mural becomes animated when viewed through a smartphone camera.^[126]

The flag of Tulsa is considered one of the most attractive city flags in the United States. In 2023, it became one of two city flags to receive an A+ rating from the North American Vexillological Association.^[127]

TheTulsa City Councilvoted to adopt the new city flag in 2018 following a campaign from local community.^[128]The design incorporates adreamcatcherto represent the Tulsa settlement under theCouncil Oak Tree. The colorredis meant to represent the people who died in the Tulsa race massacre, the color blue represents theArkansas River, the gold represents the discovery of "black gold", or oil.^[128]

Tulsa contains several permanent dance, theater, and concert groups, including theTulsa Ballet, theTulsa Opera, theTulsa Symphony Orchestra,Light Opera Oklahoma,Signature Symphonyat TCC, theTulsa Youth Symphony, theHeller Theatre,American Theatre Company, which is a member of the Theatre Communications Group and Oklahoma's oldest resident professional theatre, andTheatre Tulsa, the oldest continuously operatingcommunity theatrecompany west of theMississippi River.^[129]Tulsa also houses the Tulsa Spotlight Theater atRiverside Studio, which shows the longest-running play in America (The Drunkard) every Saturday night. Many of the world's best choreographers have worked with Tulsa Ballet including:Leonide Massine,Antony Tudor,Jerome Robbins,George Balanchine,Paul Taylor,Kurt Jooss,Nacho Duato(ten works),Val Caniparoliwho is its resident choreographer (with seven works and four world premieres),Stanton Welch,Young Soon Hue,Ma Cong,Twyla Tharpand many others. In April 2008, Tulsa Ballet completed an ambitious $17.3 million integrated campaign, which was celebrated at the opening of the brand new Studio K; an on-site, three hundred-seat performance space dedicated to the creation of new works.

Tulsa's music scene is also famous for the eponymous "Tulsa Sound" which blends rockabilly, country, rock 'n' roll, and blues and has inspired local artists likeJ.J. CaleandLeon Russellas well as international superstars likeEric ClaptonandHanson.

A number of concert venues, dance halls, and bars gave rise to the Tulsa Sound butCain's Ballroommight be the best known. Cain's is considered the birthplace of Western Swing,^[130]housed the performance headquarters ofBob Willsand theTexas Playboysduring the 1930s. The centerpiece of the downtown Brady Arts District, theBrady Theater, is the largest of the city's five operating performing arts venues that are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.^[131]Its design features extensive contributions by American architectBruce Goff. The Pearl District featuresThe Church Studio.

Large performing arts complexes include theTulsa Performing Arts Center, which was designed byWorld Trade CenterarchitectMinoru Yamasaki, theCox Business Center, the art decoExpo Square Pavilion, theMabee Center, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for Education, and the River Parks Amphitheater and Tulsa's largest venue, the BOK Center. Ten miles west of the city, an outdoor amphitheater called "Discoveryland!" holds the official title of the world performance headquarters for the musicalOklahoma!.^[132]

The city's film community hosts annual festivals such as the Tulsa United Film Festival and Tulsa Overground Film and Music Festival.

Tulsa Zooencompasses a total of 84 acres (34 ha) with over 2,600 animals representing 400 species.^[133]The zoo is located in 2,820-acre (1,140 ha) Mohawk Park (the third largest municipal park in the United States) which also contains the 745-acre (301 ha) Oxley Nature Center.^[53][134]

TheTulsa State Fair, operating in late September and early October, attracts over one million people during its 10-day run.^[135]A number of other cultural heritage festivals are held in the city throughout the year, including the Intertribal Indian Club Powwow of Champions in August; Scotfest, India Fest, Greek Festival, and Festival Viva Mexico in September; ShalomFest in October; Dia de Los Muertos Art Festival in November; and the Asian-American Festival in May. The annual Mayfest arts and crafts festival held downtown was estimated to have drawn more than 365,000 people in its four-day run in 2012.^[136]On a smaller scale, the city hosts block parties during a citywide "Block Party Day" each year, with festivals varying in size throughout city neighborhoods.^[137]Tulsa has one major amusement park attraction, Paradise Beach Waterpark^[138](formerly Safari Joe's H2O Water Park, formerly Big Splash Water Park), featuring multi-story water slides and large wave pools. Until 2006, the city also hostedBell's Amusement Park, which closed after Tulsa County officials declined to renew its lease agreement.^[139]

Western Swing, a musical genre with roots incountry music, was made popular at Tulsa's Cain's Ballroom.The Tulsa Sound, a variation of country, blues,rockabilly,blues rock,swamp rockandrock 'n' roll, was started and largely developed by local musiciansJ. J. CaleandLeon Russell^[140]in the 1960s and 1970s.^[141]Musicians from Tulsa or who started their musical careers in Tulsa includeElvin Bishop,^[142]Jim Keltner,David Gates,Dwight Twilley,Jesse Ed Davis,Garth Brooks,The Gap Band,St. Vincent,Clyde Stacy,Flash Terry,Hanson,Gus Hardin,Jeff Carson,Ronnie Dunn,Jamie Oldaker,Bob Wills,^[143]David Cook,^[144]Broncho,Jacob Sartorius,Tyson Meade,John Moreland,John Calvin Abney,Kristin Chenoweth,JD McPherson,^[145]andWilderado.^[146]The heart of theTulsa Soundcan be found atThe Church Studio.AleXaa representative from Tulsa wonAmerican Song Contest.

Tulsa restaurants and food trucks offer a number of cuisines, but several cuisines are particularly prominent in its culinary landscape because of its distinctive history.

Tulsa is known nationally for its barbecue offerings; its barbecue reflects its midpoint location "between pig country and cow country," that is, in the transition zone between the South and the West.^[147]The city's barbecue is also helped by its geography; the wood used in barbecuing is abundant in Northeastern Oklahoma (includingpecan,oak,hickory,mesquiteandmaple). The region's ethnic diversity is felt, too: its BBQ traditions bear the influences of white, African-American and American Indian foodways.^[148]Tulsa is also home to the nationally acclaimed premium smoker manufacturer Hasty-Bake Company. Some Tulsa based barbecue joints have expanded even beyond the state's borders, including Leon's Smoke Shack,Rib CribandBilly Sims Barbecue. The prize-winningOklahoma Joe'swas founded by Oklahoman Joe Davidson, who mastered his craft at Tulsa's T-Town BBQ Cook-Off.^[149]

Oklahoma barbecue is also unique in its emphasis on hickory-smokedbarbecue bologna, nicknamed "Oklahoma tenderloin," and itsfried okra.^[150]

Lebanese steakhouses were once numerous in the region stretching fromBristow, Oklahomato Tulsa, but now mostly exist in the Tulsa region.^[151]These restaurants were founded bySyrianandLebanesefamilies who immigrated to Oklahoma before statehood.^[152]Traditionally, many of these restaurants had live entertainment (including performers likeElla Fitzgeraldand theInk Spots) and featured Mediterranean dishes liketabbouleh, ricepilafandhummusalongside local favorites like smoked BBQbologna.

Oklahomans have been consuming chili since well before statehood, owing to the influence ofMexican-Americanculture on the state.^[153]In 1910, iconic Tulsa restaurant Ike's Chili Parlor opened and Ivan "Ike" Johnson is purported to have acquired his recipe from a Hispanic-Texan named Alex Garcia.

Greek immigrants to Tulsa who came by way ofBrooklyn,PennsylvaniaandMichiganbrought with them the tradition ofConey Island-style hot dogswith chili on a bun.^[154]Today, a related group ofGreek-Americanfamilies operate Coney restaurants around the city, includingConey I-Landerwhich opened in 1926 and was described by food writersJane and Michael Sternas perfectly delivering "the cheap-eats ecstasy that is the Coney's soul".^[155]Many of these restaurants sell Greek food, either year round or at Tulsa's annual Greek Holiday, sponsored by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (which dates to 1925).^[156]

By and large, Tulsa's traditional cuisine reflects the influence of Southern foodways, particularly "upland South and... Texas where many of Oklahoma's nineteenth-century population originated."^[157]The prominence of certain foods reflects the agricultural heritage of the surrounding regions. For instance, at the suggestion of experts at what is nowOklahoma State University, peanuts became a major crop in now eastern Oklahoma as a means for lessening the reliance on cotton cultivation.^[158]Chicken-fried steakis part of the state meal of Oklahoma and is the signature dish at a number of Tulsa restaurants.^[159][160]

Thewild onion dinneris a festive gathering that originated with theSoutheastern tribeswhich call Eastern Oklahoma home. The meals often featurewild onion,pork,frybread,corn bread,Poke saladand a unique dish known as grape biscuits.^[161]The Tulsa Indian Women's Club has been holding annual Wild Onion Dinners since at least 1932.^[162]

Tulsa is home to the Oklahoma Sugar Arts Show, a premier sugar craft competition hosted by Tulsa-basedFood NetworkpersonalityKerry Vincent.^[163]Tulsa is also home to the nationally renowned Pancho Anaya Mexican bakery, recognized byFood & Wineas one of America's 100 best bakeries.^[164]Tulsa is home to several national dessert companies:Daylight Donutswas founded in Tulsa and remains headquartered there, as is the Bama Pie Company.

Brewing in Tulsa dates back to at least the late 1930s with the Ahrens Brewing Company and their Ranger Beer line. The Ahrens Brewing Company opened in May 1938.^[165]Tulsa's craft beer scene has boomed since legislation passed allowing for microbreweries to serve the public directly (Tulsa's first microbrewery in the post-World War II era wasMarshall Brewing Companyin 2008).^[166]

The largest library system in the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, theTulsa City-County Library, contains over1.7 millionvolumes in 25 library facilities.^[167]The library is active in the community, holding events and programs at most branches, including free computer classes, children's storytimes, business and job assistance, and scholarly databases with information on a variety of topics.^[168]TheMcFarlin Libraryat the University of Tulsa is afederal depository libraryholding over three million items.^[169]Founded in 1930, the library is known for its collection of Native American works and the original works of Irish authorJames Joyce.^[169]The Tulsa City-County Library and the University of Tulsa's Law Library are also federal depository libraries, making Tulsa the only city in Oklahoma with more than two federal depository libraries.^[170]The Tulsa City County Library's Downtown branch was massively renovated and opened to the public on Saturday, October 1, 2016.

Tulsa supports a wide array of sports at the professional and collegiate levels. The city hosts two NCAA Division I colleges and multiple professionalminor leaguesports teams in baseball, football, hockey, and soccer.^[171]In addition, Tulsa once had aWNBAteam, theTulsa Shockwomen's professional basketball team.

Club	Sport	League	Venue
FC Tulsa	Men's Soccer	USL Championship	ONEOK Field
Tulsa Oilers	Ice hockey	ECHL	BOK Center
Tulsa Oilers	Indoor football	IFL	BOK Center
Tulsa Drillers	Baseball	Texas League	ONEOK Field
Tulsa Athletic	Men's soccer	National Premier Soccer League	Hicks Park
Tulsa Rugby Football Club	Rugby Union	Division II Rugby	37th Riverside Field

Tulsa'sClass AATexas Leaguebaseball team is called theTulsa Drillers; famous former Drillers includeSammy Sosa,Matt Holliday, andIván Rodríguez.

In 2008, Tulsa funded $39.2 million to build a new ballpark in the Greenwood District near downtown for the Drillers. The ground breaking was held on December 19, 2008. ONEOK bought the naming rights for$10 millionfor the next 25 years. The first game at ONEOK Field was held on April 8, 2010. Country music starTim McGrawthrew out the first pitch.^[172]

The 19,199-seatBOK Centeris the centerpiece of the Vision 2025 projects and was completed in August 2008; the BOK Center was in the top ten among indoor arenas worldwide in ticket sales for the first quarter of 2009 when it was the home for the city'sTulsa ShockWNBA,Tulsa Talons arena football, andTulsa Oilers ice hockeyteams; as of 2022, the Oilers are the sole remaining tenant.^[173]

School	Nickname	Colors	Association	Conference
University of Tulsa	Golden Hurricane	Old Gold, Royal Blue and Crimson	NCAA Division I	American
Oral Roberts University	Golden Eagles	Vegas Gold and Navy Blue	NCAA Division I	Summit

Two Tulsa universities compete at the NCAA Division I level: theUniversity of TulsaGolden Hurricane, and the Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles. The University of Tulsa'smen's basketball programhas reached theSweet Sixteenthree times, made an appearance in theElite Eightin2000, won theNITchampionship in1981and2001, and won the inauguralCollege Basketball Invitationalin2008.^[174][175]TheTulsa football teamhas played in 16bowl games, including theSugar Bowl(twice) and theOrange Bowl.^[176]Oral Roberts University'smen's basketball teamreached the Elite Eight in1974, the Sweet Sixteen in2021, and won theMid-Continent Conferencetitle three straight years, from 2005 to 2007.^[177]

The University of Tulsa also boasts one of the nation's top tennis facilities, theMichael D. Case Tennis Center, which hosted the 2004 and 2008 NCAA tennis championships. The Golden Hurricane Tennis program has a string of success, including men's Missouri Valley championships in 1995 and 1996, men's Conference USA championships in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011 and women's Conference USA championships in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011. In 2007, Tulsa's top-ranked playerArnau Brugués-Daviranked as high as #1 in the nation and a four time All-American, advanced to the quarterfinals of the singles competition at theNCAA Men's Tennis Championship, improving on his 2006 round of sixteen appearances.

Tulsa is home to theSouthern Hills Country Club, which is one of only two courses that have hosted sevenmen's major championships: threeU.S. Opensand fourPGA Championships, the most recent in 2022.^[178]The course has held five amateur championships^[178]and from 2001 to 2008 theLPGAhad a regular tour stop, latterly known as theSemGroup Championshipat Cedar Ridge Country Club.^[179]

Tulsa also hosts two golf courses designed by famed golf course architectA.W. Tillinghast: the Oaks Country Club and Tulsa Country Club. TheTom Fazio-designed Golf Club of Oklahoma is located just outside of Tulsa.

Tulsa is home toFC Tulsa, which competes in theUSL Championship.

From 1978 to 1984, the city hosted theTulsa Roughnecks, who played in the now-defunctNorth American Soccer Leagueand won that league's championship in 1983.

In 1984, the city hosted theOklahoma Outlawsof the now-defunctUnited States Football Leaguefor a single season.^[180]

The city's running and cycling communities support events such as theTulsa Toughcycling race, the Hurtland cyclocross, the Route 66 Marathon,^[181]and theTulsa Run, which features over 8000 participants annually.^[182]Another popular gambling draw,horse racingevents are housed by theFair Meadows Race TrackandWill Rogers Downsin nearbyClaremore.

Saint Francis Tulsa Tough Ride and Raceis a three-day cycling festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It features both non-competitive riding through scenic areas around theTulsa Metropolitan Areaand professional level races. It is held each year on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the second weekend in June. Just as popular as the biking itself is the weekend-long festivities at Crybaby Hill, for it is held in the Riverview District.^[183][184]TheBlue Dome Districthosts its race on the first night and takes riders down East 2nd Street. The race has participants riding at fast speeds through crowded streets lined with cheering spectators, live music, and several vendors. Events include the Men's Cat 3, Women's Pro 1/2, Men's 1/2 and Men's Pro 1.^[185]

Inmotorsports, Tulsa annually hosts theChili Bowlindoor race at theTulsa Expo Center. The race was initially sponsored by the Chili Bowl food company of Bob Berryhill. The race has since accommodated "over two hundred race rigs, bleachers for thousands of people and an ever-growing trade show".^[186]

As of 2016^[update], the city of Tulsa manages 134 parks spread over 8,278 acres (3,350 ha).^[187][188]Woodward Park, a 45-acre (18 ha) tract located in midtown Tulsa, doubles as abotanical garden, featuring the Tulsa Municipal Rose Garden, with more than 6,000 rose plants in 250 varieties, and theLinnaeusTeaching Gardens, which demonstrate the latest and most successful techniques for growing vegetables, annuals, perennials, woody plants and groundcovers.^[189]

Some Tulsa-area parks are run by Tulsa County Parks. These include the 270-acre (110 ha) LaFortune Park in Midtown Tulsa,^[190]and the 192-acre (78 ha) Chandler Park.^[191]

Some parks are under the Tulsa River Parks Authority. These include a series of linear parks that run adjacent to the Arkansas River for about 10 miles (16 km) from downtown to the Jenks bridge. Since 2007 a significant portion of the River Parks area has been renovated with new trails, landscaping, and playground equipment. The River Parks Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area on the west side of the Arkansas River in south Tulsa is a 300-acre (120 ha) area that contains over 45 miles (72 km) of dirt trails available for hiking, trail running, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Gathering Placeis a 66-acre (27 ha) park which features a playground, lodge, boathouse, splash playground, sports courts, skate park, wetland pond and garden, trails, classrooms, and amphitheatre.^{[192][193][194][195]}

Tulsa has a number of cycling trails,^[196]and has installed protected bike lanes in parts of the downtown area.^[197]Additional efforts to expand this infrastructure have been included as part of the city's "GoPlan".^[198][199]

Amayor-council governmenthas been in place in Tulsa since 1989, when the city converted from acity commission governmentdeemed wasteful and less efficient.^[200]Since the change, Tulsa mayors have been given more power in accordance with astrong mayoral systemand have greater control of a more consolidated array of governmental branches.^[200]Plurality votingis used to elect mayors, who serve a term in office of four years. The present mayor of Tulsa is RepublicanG. T. Bynum, who won the 2016 mayoral election and took office on December 5, 2016.^[201]Another Tulsa political figure,Jim Inhofe, who represented Oklahoma in theUnited States Senatefor 30 years, served as the mayor of Tulsa early in his political career.^[202]

A city councilor from each of the city's nine council districts is elected every two years, each serving a term of two years. Councilors are elected from their own respective districts based on a plurality voting system, and serve on the Tulsa City Council. As a whole, the council acts as the legislative body of the city government, which aims to pass laws, approve the city budget, and manage efficiency in the city government. In accordance with the mayor-council form of government, the Tulsa City Council and the office of the Mayor coordinate in city government operations. A third body of the government, the city auditor, is elected independently of the city council and mayor to ensure that the auditor can act in an objective manner. The auditor is elected for a term of two years.^[200]Phil Wood, a Democrat, held the position for 21 years before being defeated by Republican Preston Doerflinger in the 2009 election.^[203]The city serves as the seat of county government for Tulsa County, and lies mostly withinOklahoma's 1st congressional district, with its far northwestern areas in southern Osage County inOklahoma's 3rd congressional district. Municipal and state laws are enforced in Tulsa by theTulsa Police Department, an organization of 781 officers as of 2012^[update].^[204][205]

Tulsa Public Schools, with nine high schools and over 41,000 students, is the second-largest school district in Oklahoma.^[206]In 2006, there were more than 90,000 students attending Tulsa County's public schools.^[168]

Portions of Tulsa within Tulsa County are in the following school districts: Tulsa,Berryhill,Bixby,Broken Arrow,Jenks,Owosso, andUnion.^[207]Portions within Osage County are in Tulsa Public Schools.^[208]Portions within Wagoner County are in the following districts: Tulsa, Broken Arrow, andCatoosa.^[209]

A variety of independent and sectarian schools exist in Tulsa, also. Most, but not all, of the private schools have religious affiliations with various Christian, Jewish^[210]or Muslim^[211]denominations. The Catholic Diocese of Tulsa supports a system of parochial and diocesan schools, includingBishop Kelley High School, administered by theLaSallians (French Christian Brothers). Another Catholic high school,Cascia Hall Preparatory School, is administered byAugustinians.^[212]Holland Hall Schoolis independent but historically affiliated with theEpiscopal Church.Riverfield Country Day Schoolis non-sectarian.

ThePresbyterian Church (PCUSA)established the Presbyterian Mission Day School, a one-story building at what would become the intersection of 4th Street and Boston Avenue in 1884. A second story was soon added to accommodate the number of children who were to attend. This school operated until 1889.^[213]When Tulsa incorporated in 1899, it took over the school, which became the first public school. James M. Hall and three other men bought the property with their own funds and held the title until the city could reimburse them.^[213][214]

Tulsa built its first two public schools in 1905. The construction of more schools began accelerating in 1906. In December 1907, control of the public schools passed from the city government to the Tulsa Board of Education.^[213]

Tulsa High Schoolopened in 1906 on the same block formerly occupied by the Presbyterian mission school, which had been razed. The new school was a three-story cream colored brick building with a dome. The school was accredited by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges in 1913. It proved too small by 1916, when Tulsa voters approved a bond issue to construct a new high school at Sixth Street and Cincinnati Avenue, which was renamedCentral High School. The north half of this facility opened in 1917, while the south half opened in 1922.^[215]The building remained in this service until 1976, when it was replaced by a new building on West Edison Street. The old building was taken over by the Public Service Company of Oklahoma.^[213]

The first institute of higher education was established in Tulsa when Kendall College, a Presbyterian school, moved fromMuskogeeto Tulsa in 1907. In 1920, the school merged with a proposed McFarlin College to become theUniversity of Tulsa(abbreviated as TU). The McFarlin Library of TU was named for the principal donor of the proposed college, oilmanRobert M. McFarlin.^{[citation needed]}

Tulsa has 15 institutions of higher education, including two private universities: the University of Tulsa, a school founded in 1894, andOral Roberts University, a school founded by evangelistOral Robertsin 1963.^{[citation needed]}

TheUniversity of Tulsahas an enrollment of 3,832 undergraduate and graduate students as of 2021.^[216]In addition to doctoral and masters programs, TU is home to theUniversity of Tulsa College of Lawand the Collins College of Business. TU also manages the famousGilcrease Museumin northwest Tulsa and hosts the Alexandre Hogue Gallery on its main campus.^{[citation needed]}

Oral Roberts University is acharismatic Christianinstitution with an enrollment of 5,109 undergraduate and graduate students.^[217]

Both of the state's flagship research universities have campuses in Tulsa:^{[citation needed]}

• Oklahoma State Universityhouses three campuses in the city, theOSU Center for Health Sciences, the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, andOSU – Tulsa, accommodating upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses. OSU-Tulsa has an advanced materials research facility and is home to the Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers.^{[citation needed]}
• TheUniversity of Oklahomaoperates what is known as the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Center, offering bachelors, master's, and doctoral degree programs in conjunction with the main campus in Norman and the OU Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. The OU-Tulsa Schusterman Center also houses theOU School of Community Medicine, the first medical school of its kind in the United States.^{[citation needed]}

Rogers State UniversityinClaremore, Oklahoma, is the Tulsa area's original public, undergraduate-focused, four-year university.Tulsa Community College(TCC), the largest community college in Oklahoma, operates four campuses spread across the area as well as a conference center in Midtown,^[218]and has a partnership allowing students to complete four-year bachelor's degrees through OU-Tulsa, OSU-Tulsa, LU-Tulsa and NSU-Broken Arrow.^[219]Tulsa also has a Tulsa branch ofLangston University, the onlyhistorically black college or universityin the state, founded in 1897. Tulsa previously had a branch campus ofSt. Gregory's University, a Catholic university with its main campus inShawnee, Oklahoma; however, that school went into bankruptcy in 2017.

TheSpartan School of Aeronauticsenrolls 1,500 students at its flight programs near Tulsa International Airport^[220]and the city'svocational educationis headed byTulsa Technology Center, the oldest and largest vocational technology institution in the state.^[221]

Among trade schools located in Tulsa areCommunity Care College(including branches Oklahoma Technical College and Clary Sage College),^[222]Holberton School Tulsa, andTulsa Tech.^[223]

Tulsa's leading newspaper is the dailyTulsa World, the second-most widely circulated newspaper in Oklahoma with a Sunday circulation of 189,789.^[224]

The Tulsa Voiceis anAlt-Weeklynewspaper covering entertainment and cultural events. Covering primarily economic events and stocks, theTulsa Business Journalcaters to Tulsa's business sector. Other publications include theOklahoma Indian Times, theTulsa Daily Commerce and Legal News, theTulsa Beacon,This Land Press, and theTulsa Free Press. The first black-owned newspaper was theTulsa Star, which ceased publication when its office burned during the Tulsa race massacre. It was succeeded by theOklahoma Eagle, which began publishing using the press salvaged from theStar'soffice.^[225]

Until 1992, theTulsa Tribuneserved as a daily afternoon newspaper competing with theTulsa World. The paper was acquired by theTulsa Worldthat year.Urban Tulsa Weeklyserved as the city's alt-weekly paper from 1991 until its closure in 2013.^[226]

Tulsa is also served by television and radio broadcasting networks. All major U.S. television networks are represented in Tulsa through localaffiliatesin thedesignated market area(a region covering a 22-county area serving the northeastern and east-central portions of Oklahoma, and far southeastern Kansas); these includeNBCaffiliateKJRH-TV(channel 2),CBSaffiliateKOTV-DT(channel 6),ABCaffiliateKTUL(channel 8),PBSstation KOED-TV (channel 11, asatelliteof the state-runOETAmember network),CWaffiliateKQCW-DT(channel 19),FoxaffiliateKOKI-TV(channel 23),MyNetworkTVaffiliateKMYT-TV(channel 41),Ion Televisionowned-and-operated stationKTPX-TV(channel 44). The market is also home to several religious stations includingTBNowned-and-operated stationKDOR-TV(channel 17), religious/secularindependent stationKWHB(channel 47), and Oral Roberts University-ownedKGEB(channel 53, which is distributed nationwide via satellite asGEB America).

Cable televisionservice in the area is provided byCox Communications, which acquiredTele-Communications Inc.(TCI)'s franchise rights to the area in a $2.85 billion deal (which also included the purchase ofAT&T Broadband's Louisiana cable systems, minority ownership of TCA Cable TV systems in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico, and TCI's Peak Cablevision systems in four other Oklahoma cities, and select markets in Arkansas, Utah and Nevada) in July 1999; Cox assumed control of TCI's Tulsa-area systems on March 15, 2000.^[227][228]

Transportation in Tulsa is aided byTulsa Transit's bus network of 97 vehicles^[229]and two primary airports, while theTulsa Port of Catoosaprovides transportation of goods and industry through international trade routes.

Tulsa has an extensive highway system that connects many cities in the region such as Joplin, Missouri on theWill Rogers Turnpikeand Oklahoma City on theTurner Turnpike. Most commuters use the highway system in Tulsa to get to and from work. Highways that run through Tulsa areI-44,I-244,US-412,US-169,OK-66,US-64,US-75,OK-11,OK-51,Creek Turnpike, andGilcrease Expressway. In 2011, theOklahoma Department of Transportationreported that Tulsa's busiest freeway was US-169 with about 121,500 vehicles daily between 51st and 61st Streets, and its second busiest freeway was OK-51 with about 104,200 vehicles between Memorial and I-44.^[230]Surrounding Downtown is the Inner Dispersal Loop (sometimes called the "I-D-L"), which connects Downtown with almost all the highways in Tulsa.

Tulsa Transit, the city'stransit busoperator, runs 97 buses on 19 different routes across Tulsa and in surrounding suburbs such asBroken Arrow,Sand SpringsandJenks. Tulsa Transit has two stations: the Memorial Midtown Station at 7952 E. 33rd St. in Midtown Tulsa, and the Denver Avenue Station at 319 S. Denver, across from theBOK CenterinDowntown. Most routes go through one or both of the stations, facilitating the commute to work and events inDowntownor Midtown. Buses stop at specific stops such asTulsa Community College,Oklahoma State University-Tulsa,CityPlex Towers, Cox Communications, the variousmedical facilities in Tulsa, and many shopping destinations, hotels, and schools. The bus schedules are periodically changed; votes are taken by Tulsa Transit to help decide the particulars of certain routes.^[231]Tulsa debuted its firstbus rapid transitline, Aero on Peoria Avenue, in November 2019.^[232]The service has more frequent buses, upgraded stations, and faster travel times.^[233]

Intercity bus serviceis provided by bothGreyhound LinesandJefferson Lines. The station for both is at 317 S. Detroit, five blocks from Tulsa Transit's Downtown bus terminal. As to private chartered bus companies, Red Carpet Charters^[234]a/k/a Red Carpet Trailways of Tulsa, is an independent member of theTrailways Charter Bus Network.^[235]

Tulsa International Airport, which has service on twelve commercial airlines (eight passenger and four cargo ones), serves more than three million travelers annually, with almost 80 departures every day.^[110]In 2007, the airport completed most of an expansion project, which included larger terminal sizes and the addition of restaurants and shops. In 2011, the airport opened the newly renovated Concourse B, complete with skylights, open gate holds, an average of 76 ways to charge a device per gate, and much more. Concourse A is under renovation.^[110]Richard L. Jones Jr. Airport, a/k/a Jones-Riverside Airport, ageneral aviationairport in West Tulsa, saw 335,826 takeoffs and landings in 2008, making it the busiest airport in Oklahoma and the fifth-busiest general aviation airport in the nation.^[236]Its operations contribute over$3.2 millionto the economy annually.^[236]The Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust also manages theOkmulgee Regional AirportinOkmulgee, Oklahoma, further to the south of Tulsa.^[237][238]

Freight railwaysbisect the city in every direction; the state's chief freight rail transporter isBNSF, operator of the Cherokee Rail Yard in Tulsa, which facility includes a freight terminal, diesel shop and hump yard for railcar sorting.^[239]Other Class I transporters areUnion Pacific Railroad, as well as theCPKC(formerly theKansas City Southern Railway) via a short-line switch on theSouth Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad.^[240]

Tulsa Union DepotservedFrisco,M-K-TandSanta Fepassenger trains until the 1960s. The Santa Fe continued service through use of its own station until 1971.^[241]There are no mass transit rail lines in Tulsa, but the prospect of passenger rail lines fromDowntown Tulsato the suburb ofBroken Arrowhas been studied.^[242]

Long-distance passenger rail transportation today serves Tulsa only throughGreyhound bus lines, which provide bus connections to nearby cities withAmtrakstations.^[243]A private proposal to re-establish passenger service between Oklahoma City and Tulsa via a train called the ‘’Eastern Flyer’’ fell through in 2019.^[244]However, in early 2024, the Federal Railroad Administration released an interim report on its ongoing Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study regarding fifteen new or previously discontinued rail routes under consideration for federal funding, which included a proposed route from Oklahoma City to Tulsa, and on from Tulsa to St. Louis in one direction and Kansas City in another.^[245]

Tulsa has two static displays of antique steam railroadlocomotivesfor free public viewing: the 1917 wood-burningDierks Forest207, aBaldwin2-6-2Prairie-type located at theTulsa State Fairgrounds;^[246]and, the 1942 oil-burningFriscoMeteor4500, aBaldwin4-8-4Northern-type at theRoute 66 Historical Villageat 3770 Southwest Blvd.^[247]

At the head of theMcClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, theTulsa Port of Catoosais an inland port in the United States and connectsbargetraffic from Tulsa to theMississippi Rivervia theVerdigris Riverand theArkansas River. The facility is one of the largest riverports in the United States^[248]and contributes to one of the busiest waterways in the world via its course to theGulf of Mexico.^[249]

The Saint Francis Health System owns several hospitals with a central location at Saint Francis Hospital in the southern part of the city. The facility contains 700 doctors and 918 beds,^[250]and with more than 7,000 employees, the network is the second-largest healthcare employer in the state.^[251]The health system also operates a heart hospital, which was named byGeneral Electricin 2004 one of the most advanced heart hospitals in the nation.^[252]St. John Medical Center, located in an 11-story midtown center, employs nearly 700 doctors.^[253]Other networks, such as Hillcrest Health System, operate a number of facilities of various sizes.^[254]Beginning in 2007, the city elected to renew a five-year contract withEMSAfor ambulance service after a period spent contemplating a switch to theTulsa Fire Departmentfor the provision of such services.^[255]

• Several films starringBrat Packactors and written byS.E. Hintonwere filmed in Tulsa in the early 1980s; among them wereTex(1982),The Outsiders(1983),Rumble Fish(1983),That Was Then... This Is Now(1985) andFandango(1985).^[256]
• "Tampa to Tulsa" song byThe Jayhawks^[257]
• Most of theHBOTV seriesWatchmen(2019) takes place in Tulsa.
• "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa" song byGene Pitney
• "Tulsa Time" song byDon Williams
• "Tulsa Jesus Freak" song byLana Del Rey
• Tulsa KingTV series starringSylvester Stallone(2022)
• The novelThe Outsiderstakes place in Tulsa.

In accordance with the Tulsa Global Alliance, which operates in conjunction withSister Cities International, an organization that began under PresidentDwight Eisenhowerin 1956, Tulsa has been given eight internationalsister citiesin an attempt to foster cross-cultural understanding:^[258]

• Tulsa(book)
• Tulsa(movie)
• List of oil refineries
• USSTulsa, 3 ships

• Official website
• Vision 2025