Cleveland County

Key demographics for Cleveland County, Oklahoma

Population

• Total: 295,528 (2020 Decennial Census)

Age (ACS 2018–2022)

• Median age: ~34 years
• Under 18: ~23%
• 18–24: ~14%
• 25–44: ~30%
• 45–64: ~21%
• 65+: ~12%

Gender (ACS 2018–2022)

• Female: ~51%
• Male: ~49%

Race and Hispanic origin (ACS 2018–2022)

• White alone: ~74%
• Black or African American alone: ~5%
• American Indian & Alaska Native alone: ~6%
• Asian alone: ~5%
• Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander alone: ~0.2%
• Some other race alone: ~2%
• Two or more races: ~8–9%
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): ~11%
• White alone, not Hispanic: ~64%

Households and housing (ACS 2018–2022)

• Households: ~115,000
• Average household size: ~2.5
• Family households: ~63%
• Owner-occupied housing rate: ~65%
• Median household income: ~$70,000

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census; 2018–2022 American Community Survey 5-year estimates (DP05, S1101, S1901). Figures rounded.

Cleveland County, OK snapshot (estimates)

• Population: ~300K (2023). Density ~540–560 people/sq mi (urban along the I‑35 corridor: Norman/Moore; more rural east).
• Estimated email users: 215K–240K (≈212K–218K adults; adding teens pushes total toward the high end). Method: applied national email adoption to local age mix (ACS/Pew/Statista).
• Age distribution of email users (share of user base):
  • 18–29: ~26%
  • 30–49: ~36%
  • 50–64: ~23%
  • 65+: 15% Adoption is highest among 18–49 (95%), ~92% for 50–64, ~85% for 65+.
• Gender split: ~50/50; minimal usage difference by gender.
• Digital access trends:
  • Households with broadband: roughly 85%–92% (ACS range for similar urban-suburban OK counties).
  • Smartphone-only internet: ~10%–15% of households; higher among students/lower-income renters.
  • Strong fiber/cable and 5G coverage in Norman–Moore/I‑35 corridor; fixed wireless and DSL more common in eastern rural areas.
  • Public access via University of Oklahoma networks and libraries supplements connectivity.

Notes: Figures are approximations derived from Census ACS population/broadband data and national email adoption rates mapped to Cleveland County’s age profile.

Below is a concise, decision‑oriented snapshot of mobile phone usage in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, emphasizing where the county differs from statewide patterns. Figures are best‑available estimates based on Census/ACS, FCC maps, carrier releases, and metro speedtest datasets; use them as planning ranges rather than exact counts.

Overall user estimates

• Population baseline: ~300,000 residents (2020 Census: 295,528; modest growth through 2023).
• Estimated smartphone users: roughly 230,000–260,000 people.
  • Approach: adult ownership near large‑metro/college‑county norms (≈88–92% of adults), plus most teens 12–17.
• Household “mobile-only internet” (cellular data plan but no fixed broadband): about 15–18% in Cleveland County versus roughly 22–26% statewide. The county’s better wired options pull this share down compared with rural Oklahoma.

Demographic breakdown and usage patterns

• Age and college effect:
  • Larger 18–24 share than the state due to University of Oklahoma (OU) in Norman. Expect near‑universal smartphone ownership and heavy app/social/video usage in this cohort.
  • This pushes up 5G device penetration and unlimited‑plan adoption compared with the state average.
• Income and plan mix:
  • Median household income is slightly above the state average, correlating with lower prepaid share and higher postpaid/unlimited penetration than statewide.
  • Lower device and connectivity gaps than state averages, but pockets of affordability constraints persist.
• Device reliance:
  • Because AT&T Fiber/Cox cable are widely available in Norman/Moore, Cleveland County has fewer smartphone‑only households than Oklahoma overall.
  • Where smartphone‑only does occur: more common in lower‑income tracts and in the county’s outer/rural edges.

Digital infrastructure highlights (and why they matter locally)

• 5G coverage:
  • T‑Mobile mid‑band (n41) and AT&T/Verizon C‑band are broadly available across the OKC metro, including Norman and Moore. This yields higher median 5G speeds and more consistent capacity than much of rural Oklahoma.
  • Practical effect: better performance indoors and in dense areas; more residents comfortable using mobile data as a primary connection when needed.
• LTE/coverage gaps:
  • Service is strong along I‑35 and in the urban core. Expect weaker or variable signal in parts of eastern/southeastern Cleveland County (e.g., around Lake Thunderbird and more wooded/low‑density areas), a contrast with the metro core but still better than many rural state counties.
• Capacity hotspots:
  • OU campus and stadium/event areas see pronounced, predictable spikes. Carriers typically add temporary capacity and small cells during major events—another factor driving better urban performance than in much of the state.
• Backhaul and alternatives:
  • Robust wired backhaul (AT&T Fiber, Cox) supports denser macro/small‑cell builds and enables higher, steadier 5G throughput.
  • Fixed‑wireless home internet from Verizon and T‑Mobile is widely marketable in the urbanized parts of the county, further blending mobile and home connectivity.

Key ways Cleveland County differs from Oklahoma overall

• Higher smartphone ownership rate and 5G device penetration, driven by a younger, college‑influenced, more urban population.
• Lower share of smartphone‑only (cellular‑only) households thanks to strong cable/fiber availability; the state overall relies more on mobile as a primary connection.
• Lower prepaid share and higher unlimited‑plan use than statewide averages.
• Better mid‑band 5G coverage and capacity than most non‑metro Oklahoma counties; remaining dead zones are more localized (primarily in low‑density eastern areas).
• Data demand is more “peaky” around campus/events compared with typical Oklahoma counties.

Planning notes and sources to validate/refresh

• Baselines and trends: US Census/ACS S0101 (age) and S2801 (Computer and Internet Use) for county vs state; OU Fact Book for enrollment; FCC National Broadband Map (mobile layers) and carrier coverage pages for 5G footprints; Ookla/OpenSignal metro reports for performance benchmarks.

Here’s a concise, data‑grounded snapshot of social media usage in Cleveland County, Oklahoma. Where county‑level data aren’t published, percentages are estimated by aligning U.S. adult platform averages (Pew Research, 2023–2024) to the county’s age mix and the presence of the University of Oklahoma (which skews 18–29 usage upward).

User stats

• Adult population: ~230,000–240,000; social media users: ~185,000–200,000 (≈80–85% of adults)
• Daily users: ≈60–70% of adults check social media daily

Age groups (approx. share using at least one platform)

• 18–29: ~90–95% (OU student presence elevates usage and favors short‑form video)
• 30–49: ~85–90%
• 50–64: ~70–80%
• 65+: ~55–65%

Gender breakdown (directional)

• County is roughly 51% female, 49% male; overall social media adoption is similar by gender
• Platform skews:
  • More women: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest
  • More men: YouTube, Reddit, X (Twitter)
  • No strong gender skew: TikTok, Snapchat, WhatsApp

Most‑used platforms among adults (county estimates)

• YouTube: ~80–85%
• Facebook: ~65–70%
• Instagram: ~45–50% (higher with 18–29s)
• TikTok: ~30–35% (notably high among 18–29)
• Pinterest: ~30–35% (skews female, home/lifestyle content)
• Snapchat: ~25–30% (concentrated in 13–29; heavy among OU students)
• LinkedIn: ~25–30% (professionals in Moore/Norman/OKC corridor)
• WhatsApp: ~20–25% (family, international ties)
• X (Twitter): ~20–25% (sports, weather, news)
• Reddit: ~20–25% (tech/gaming/sports communities)
• Nextdoor: ~15–20% of households (neighborhood info, city services)

Behavioral trends

• Community hubs: Facebook Groups dominate for schools, youth sports, neighborhood watch, city updates, and severe weather alerts; Nextdoor used for hyperlocal issues and utilities.
• Student‑driven content: Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat heavily used around OU (Campus Corner, game days, nightlife, apartment living). Short‑form video and Stories perform best.
• Sports and weather spikes: Real‑time surges on X, Facebook, and YouTube during OU football, high school sports, and severe weather (tornado/severe storm coverage).
• Discovery and shopping: Instagram and TikTok for local restaurants, boutiques, beauty/fitness; Pinterest for home improvement and DIY; Facebook Marketplace for resale.
• Posting cadence and timing: Peaks around 7–9 p.m.; secondary midday bump (12–1 p.m.). Weekend evenings and game days see strong “second‑screen” engagement.
• Content formats that work: Short‑form video, reels with local landmarks, event promos, giveaways, and practical updates (closures, weather, road work). Authentic, community‑oriented posts outperform polished ads.
• Messaging behavior: Snapchat and Instagram DMs among younger users; Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp for families and community coordination.

Notes on methodology/precision

• Percentages above are county‑level estimates derived from national platform usage (Pew) adjusted for Cleveland County’s demographics and the OU student population. For decisions that require exact figures (e.g., ad budgets), validate with platform ad reach tools filtered to Cleveland County and first‑party analytics from local pages/profiles.