Today, Lawton Fort Sill is the third largest metropolitan statistical area in the state. Lawton serves as a prominent shopping, medical, recreational, educational and religious center for the region. It is the retail and distribution center for the area's cattle, dairy and agricultural industries. In addition, Lawton Fort Sill is the home of manufacturing and processing companies, and is continually working toward expansion of existing industries and acquisition of new ones.

Fort Sill was founded in 1869 by Major Philip Sheridan. Since that time, it has remained an artillery center. Present day troop strength is approximately 16,000. Annual military and civilian payroll totals more than $105 million.

Population
The Lawton city population is 92,757, the seven county metropolitan labor market is 114,996. The current unemployment rate is 3.1 percent. The average weekly salary for manufacturing is $ 877 and for all industries $ 486.

Employment
The largest employers in the Lawton Fort Sill area include Fort Sill, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Comanche County Memorial Hospital, the City of Lawton, Lawton Public Schools, Cameron University, Bar-S Foods, GEO Group, Southwestern Medical Center, CenterPoint Energy, Stanley Associates, Assurant Group, Silverline Plastics, and Republic Paperboard. Local employers enjoy a steady supply of new potential employees as up to 300 well trained former members of the US Army end their military service at Fort Sill each month.

Government
Lawton operates under a City Council-City Manager form of government. Comanche County is governed by three county commissioners, all elected. Lawton Public Schools are governed by a five-member School Board, all elected. Fire and police protection are provided by the City of Lawton.

Quality Of Life
Most people want the conveniences of a large city, but also want the advantages of living in a small town. Lawton Fort Sill combines the best of both worlds, offering an excellent quality of life. Ranked as one of the best 100 cities in which to live by Money Magazine, Lawton's people are friendly and helpful, and our crime rate is low - advantages often found in a small town. Yet, we are the educational, cultural and medical hub of southwest Oklahoma, offering all of the advantages of the big city!

Education
Lawton's outstanding public primary and secondary school system includes 28 elementary schools, four junior high schools, three high schools, and one secondary alternative school. Seven of the elementary schools have been credited with the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award given by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Great Plains Technology Center provides both full-time day and part-time night classes in a variety of business, technical, industrial, health, marketing, and other high-demand fields.

Cameron University, a four-year state-funded university located in Lawton, offers more than 50 degrees through two-year, four-year and graduate programs. These degree programs, emphasizing the liberal arts, science and technology, and graduate and professional studies, give the university's 6,000 students a vast array of career choices.

Libraries
There are three libraries in the Lawton Fort Sill community - the Lawton Public Library, located at 110 SW 4th Street, the library at Cameron University, and the Nye Library at Fort Sill.

Health Care
Lawton Fort Sill has taken steps to offer state-of-the-art health care services. Because of our strategic location in the heart of southwest Oklahoma, Lawton Fort Sill has become the health care hub for surrounding communities. With two public hospitals, an Indian hospital, a military hospital, as well as numerous other clinics and health care facilities, Lawton Fort Sill offers a wide range of care and services.

Culture
Lawton Fort Sill is recognized nationally as one of the most culturally diversified communities in the United States. Our community is the home of several museums and countless cultural, arts and humanities activities and organizations. Museums include the Fort Sill Museum and the Museum of the Great Plains.

The Lawton Fort Sill community boasts numerous civic clubs and organizations to cover everyone's personal and professional interests.

Recreation & Entertainment
There's always something good going on in Lawton Fort Sill. Each weekend and most weeknights you will find entertainment that is second-to-none. Lawton is home to the Lawton Community Theater which provides five main stage performances, two magic theater productions, and a summer magic workshop yearly. The Southwest Oklahoma Opera Guild, Southwest Oklahoma Dance Alliance, Lawton City Ballet, Wichita Wildlight Photographic Society, and Lawton Community Concerts Association are constantly producing a variety of continuing arts entertainment.

Lawton Fort Sill provides an abundance of activities for the sports enthusiast. Excellent fishing is available at both city lakes. Lakes Lawtonka and Ellsworth are both fed by streams from the Wichita. Located north of Lawton, both lakes are also great for swimming, boating and a variety of other water sports. Overnight campsites and picnic facilities are available.

Kid's Zone, a 16,000 square foot multi-level community-built mega-playground, is located In Greer Park on 38th Street, halfway between Cache Road and Gore Boulevard. The elaborate design, crafted in wood and plastic from the ideas of local children, includes a multitude of play areas, many of which are handicap accessible. Additional features include an enclosed Tot Lot for small children, on-site parking, plenty of benches, and a pavilion with bathrooms and water fountain.