Life in Lawton

Lawton offers the best of both rural and urban lifestyles. Residents enjoy proximity to cultural centers and top medical facilities and easy access to fantastic fishing spots, serene stargazing sites, and mountains for hiking and climbing.

The Lawton-Fort Sill area fosters a balance between work and play, and residents value the sense of community and high quality of life. Here are some of the characteristics that make life in Lawton unique:

• Residents enjoy a low cost of living and higher purchasing power than the national average.
• Lawton is home to two community hospitals, a Native American hospital, and a VA clinic.
• Residents experience little traffic and short commute times.
• The City of Lawton and its surrounding areas are safe, friendly, and welcoming for families.
• Residents can enjoy great dining, popular shopping destinations, and 19 parks.
• The area has many quality schools and educational opportunities, from K-12 to post-secondary.
• The area is rich in Native American history and culture. 
• There are countless recreation and outdoor exploration opportunities, including the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge.
• Fort Sill provides a military presence with pride, security, and economic opportunity.
• The diversity of industries creates many career opportunities.
• Lawton’s lakes offer recreational activities like fishing, hunting, camping, and water sports. In fact, many locals and visitors have found some of the best bass fishing at our lakes, including Lake Ellsworth, Lake Lawtonka, and Lake Elmer Thomas. 
• The 59,000-acre Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is a unique facility outside Lawton, created to protect wildlife habitats. Buffalo, elk, deer, prairie dogs, and Texas longhorn cattle roam much of the refuge, while certain areas are open to the public.

• The Aquatics Center at Elmer Thomas Park will be completed in July 2025.
• A new outdoor Amphitheater, and Indoor Youth Sports Complex will start construction soon for our community.