Quality of Life
Cost of Living
Affordability ranks high as one of Oklahoma’s strengths. The composite cost of living in Oklahoma is approximately 10% lower than the national average, ranking the state third among all 50 states in affordability.
| First Quarter 2010 Cost of Living Index for States, U.S.=100 | ||||||||
| State | Rank All States | Overall | Grocery Items | Housing | Utilities | Xport | Health Care | Misc Svcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OK | 3 | 89.48 | 94.09 | 76.72 | 91.57 | 94.10 | 93.52 | 96.28 |
| AR | 4 | 90.18 | 94.72 | 79.58 | 93.80 | 93.28 | 87.80 | 95.90 |
| TX | 5 | 91.26 | 89.90 | 82.40 | 99.71 | 95.14 | 97.27 | 94.99 |
| KS | 7 | 91.48 | 90.96 | 84.89 | 89.23 | 96.90 | 92.20 | 96.24 |
| MO | 12 | 92.70 | 96.10 | 81.19 | 94.89 | 95.30 | 94.74 | 99.77 |
| Source: ACCRA (Council for Community & Economic Research |
The Overall Cost of Living Index is based on a weighted average of Grocery Items, Housing, Utilities, Transportation, Health Care, and Miscellaneous Services. State & Local Taxes are not included.
Housing
A primary component of cost of living is home prices. In the second quarter of 2010, the average (mean) price of sold homes in the Bartlesville area was $139,801, with a median price of $125,600. Compare these prices to a statewide average (mean) of $141,279 and statewide median of $113,021.
Median price – the price at which half the sales prices fall above and half the prices fall below – is considered more reflective of actual sales price, as it is not as prone to be skewed by prices that are far above or below the norm. The following table reflects median sales prices from 1st Quarter 2010 compared to last year’s results. The median price for all of last year is also shown.
| Median Price of Homes Sold | ||||
| Geographic Area | 1st Qtr 2010 | 1st Qtr 2009 | % Change 1st Qtr | Year 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | $109,252 | $104,425 | +4.6% | $111,033 |
| Tulsa MSA* | $124,800 | $127,000 | -1.7% | $130,100 |
| Houston (TX) | $150,100 | $138,500 | +8.4% | $153,100 |
| Kansas City, (MO-KS) | $130,700 | $126,600 | +3.2% | $140,700 |
| Oklahoma (state) | $103,995 | $101,353 | +2.6% | $106,315 |
| United States | $221,900 | $208,600 | +6.4% | $214,900 |
| Source: National Association of Realtors, Oklahoma State Realtors (* Tulsa CSA data not available, using Tulsa MSA) |
Education
Elementary / Secondary
Bartlesville schools are part of the Bartlesville Public School District. The District includes one high school (grades 11-12), one middle high school (grades 7-9), two middle schools (grades 6-8), and seven elementary schools (starting grades vary by school (pre-K, K, or 1); end grade-5).
Bartlesville schools compare well to the rest of the state and on the national level, as evidenced by a comparison of 2009 American College Testing (ACT) scores. In fact, ACT scores for Bartlesville High School show a strong upward trend over the past five years.
| 2009 ACT Scores | |||||
| Geographic Area | Composite | English | Math | Reading | Science |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | 22.7 | 23.0 | 21.3 | 23.5 | 22.5 |
| Oklahoma (state) | 20.7 | 20.5 | 19.9 | 21.4 | 20.5 |
| USA | 21.1 | 20.6 | 21.0 | 21.4 | 21.1 |
| Source: Oklahoma State Department of Education |
| Five Year Composite ACT Scores for Bartlesville High School Students | |
| Class of '05 | 22.0 |
| Class of '06 | 22.1 |
| Class of '07 | 22.5 |
| Class of '08 | 22.6 |
| Class of '09 | 23.0 |
| Source: Bartlesville Public Schools, Oklahoma State Dept. of Education |
Total Academic Performance Index (API)
Oklahoma's Academic Performance Index (API) was created by law to measure the performance and progress of a school or district based on several factors, primarily state assessment scores, which contribute to overall educational success. The possible scores range from 0 to 1,500. The factors used in the calculation of an API score include:
- Oklahoma School Testing Program (OSTP)
- School completion - including attendance, dropout, and graduation rates.
- Academic excellence - includes ACT scores and participation, Advanced Placement (AP) credit, and college remediation rates in reading and mathematics.
| Total Academic Performance Index (API), regular education students | ||
| School Districts | 2009 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Bartlesville Public Schools | 1381 | 1372 |
| Oklahoma (state) | 1289 | 1279 |
| Source: Oklahoma State Department of Education |
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is based on state defined performance benchmarks around the API scores. Schools that fail to meet the AYP benchmarks (performance continues below a federally acceptable level) face a number of possible sanctions.
Universities & Colleges, Career & Technical Training
Career preparation and continued adult education add to the success and achievements of individuals in Bartlesville. Two four-year universities and a technology school provide excellent opportunities for higher education in Bartlesville. Additional higher education institutions and opportunities for postgraduate studies are available just 45 minutes south in Tulsa.
Universities & Colleges, Career & Technical Training
Career preparation and continued adult education add to the success and achievements of individuals in Bartlesville. Two four-year universities and a technology school provide excellent opportunities for higher education in Bartlesville. Additional higher education institutions and opportunities for postgraduate studies are available just 45 minutes south in Tulsa.
Bartlesville
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Rogers State University-Bartlesville
- Tri-County Technology Center
Tulsa
- Oklahoma State University-Tulsa
- Oral Roberts University
- Tulsa Community College
- Tulsa Technology Center
- Tulsa University
- University of Oklahoma-Tulsa
Universities in Bartlesville
Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OWU)
Located in Bartlesville, OWU is a four-year private liberal arts college with an enrollment of about 600 students. OWU offers undergraduate degrees in accounting, business administration, communications, English, human resources, mathematics and nursing as well as many graduate programs. www.okwu.edu
Rogers State University (RSU)
RSU emphasizes accounting, telecommunications, business administration and management, marketing and computer programming. The Bartlesville campus and RSU's main campus in nearby Claremore offer classes via television and the Internet in addition to the traditional classroom environment. www.rsu.edu
Career Tech Training in Bartlesville
Tri County Technology Center (TCTC)
TCTC, located in Bartlesville, offers an individualized learning environment. More than 600 full-time day students and over 3000 adult and industry evening students attend TCTC per semester. Daytime programs include cosmetology, business and computer technology, culinary arts, dental assisting, paralegal studies and commercial printing and design. TCTC also offers short-term evening and community education classes. www.tctc.org
Universities & Colleges in Tulsa (45 minutes south of Bartlesville)
The University of Tulsa (TU)
TU is a private university, and provides academic offerings in business, communications, engineering, law, liberal arts and music. TU is internationally recognized for programs related to petroleum exploration and development.
Oral Roberts University (ORU)
ORU places its academic focus on business, communications, engineering, liberal arts, music, nursing and theology. The university is a private institution founded by evangelist Oral Roberts.
Oklahoma State University (OSU)-Tulsa
OSU-Tulsa has expanded course offerings to provide more than 80 degree choices at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Master and doctoral degrees are also available from OU and OSU through the OU/OSU Research center located at the OSU-Tulsa campus.
University of Oklahoma (OU)-Tulsa
OU-Tulsa places its academic focus on allied health, architecture, arts and sciences, fine arts, liberal studies, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Master and doctoral degrees are available.
Health Care
Health Care in Bartlesville
Jane Phillips Medical Center (JPMC), sponsored by the St. John Health System of Tulsa, is a general medical and surgical center located in Bartlesville and is accredited by NIAHO (National Integrated Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations). With 137 beds, JPMC offers a wide range of services, including general medicine, surgery, cardiopulmonary care, maternal and infant care, cancer treatment, geriatric care, orthopedics, and physical medicine.
Tulsa Health Care Facilities
Metropolitan Tulsa has over two dozen hospitals providing a full range of medical treatment, including Tulsa Life Flight, a 24-hour emergency helicopter service to and from the region's hospitals. Seven general hospitals serve Tulsa: Children’s Hospital at St. Francis, Hillcrest Medical Center, Oklahoma State University Medical Center (formerly Tulsa Regional Medical Center), St. Francis Hospital, St. John Medical Center, and Southcrest Hospital. A number of specialty hospitals and clinics are also available.
Recreation
Bartlesville has plenty of entertainment and recreation opportunities for both residents and visitors alike. The City’s Parks Department oversees 15 parks, ranging from a 12-mile paved walking/jogging/biking trail that extends throughout the city to small neighborhood parks with playgrounds and picnic tables. The Department also oversees numerous athletic fields, an 18-hole golf course, 14 lighted tennis courts, and two outdoor pools with splash pads. Private organizations such as the YMCA and First Baptist Church Family Life Center provide indoor fitness facilities for the entire community.
Fishing
Fishing is one of the favorite activities in this area, and there are plenty of places to try your luck. Jo Allyn Lowe Park and M.J. Lee Lake are both located inside the city limits, while the city-owned Hudson Lake is only a 20-minute drive away. Copan Lake to the north and Hulah Lake to the west offer additional opportunities for fishing and other kinds of water activities.
Camping/Hiking
If you want to get away from it all, Osage Hills State Park is only 12 miles west of Bartlesville. Campgrounds, RV hook-ups, and cabins allow you to spend several days at a time in the great outdoors. The park has miles of hiking trails, as well as lakes and rivers to paddle on, and picnic tables with grills.
Woolaroc
Woolaroc Ranch, Museum, and Wildlife Preserve, a world-class tourist destination, lies just outside Bartlesville’s city limits in the rugged Osage Hills. Visitors will view exotic and local wildlife on their drive through the preserve, en route to the Woolaroc Museum, the seasonal Mountain Man Camp, and the Frank Phillips Lodge.
Downtown
In the center of Bartlesville itself is another world-class destination -- the Price Tower and Art Center. This architectural marvel is the only skyscraper designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Visitors can continue their tour of architecture and history by following the Bartlesville Heritage Trail through the Downtown area, a nationally-designated Historic District. While there, they can stop in at the Bartlesville Area History Museum and the Phillips Petroleum Museum.
Dewey Attractions
Just north of Bartlesville, in Dewey, are two more attractions – the Tom Mix Museum, a tribute to the actor who came from Dewey, and the Dewey Hotel, a turn-of-the-century hotel which has been restored and refurnished to look much as it did when it was first built. And only a few miles east of Dewey is a re-creation of a prairie town called… Prairie Song.
Cultural Activites
Cultural activities reign supreme in Bartlesville. The city boasts its own symphony orchestra, ballet troupe, and choral society. The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired community center hosts performances throughout the year, by these groups as well as traveling Broadway productions and world-renowned musicians, comedians, and dancers.
During the first weekend in June, the city kicks off summer with a food-and-fun event called SunFest. The following week, visitors from all over the globe converge on Bartlesville for the internationally-known OK Mozart Festival, a 10-day event celebrating Mozart and the not-so-Mozart. Then, in September, the area celebrates its unique culture with Western Heritage Weekend and Indian Summer Festival.
For more information, go to Bartlesville’s Convention & Visitors Bureau website.
Crime Rate
Washington County’s violent crime rate – defined as murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault – is less than half of Tulsa’s and Houston’s and significantly lower than the state of Oklahoma’s and the national violent crime rate. Property crime rate for Washington County is 15% higher than the national rate and 8% higher than Oklahoma’s, although lower than Houston’s. Offenses defined as property crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
| Crime Rates, per 100,000 People | ||||
| Geographic Area | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |
| Washington County | NA | 294.0 | NA | 3,819 |
| Tulsa MSA | 688.1 | 648.7 | 3,658 | 3,813 |
| Houston (TX) | 688.3 | 679.1 | 3,811 | 4,109 |
| Kansas City (MO-KS) | NA | |||
| Oklahoma (state) | 526.7 | 499.6 | 3,442 | 3,526 |
| United States | 454.5 | 466.9 | 3,213 | 3,263 |
| Source: Department of Justice FBI Uniform Crime Report NA=not available |
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Climate
Located in the southwestern Sunbelt, Bartlesville enjoys an early spring, a warm fall, and a mild winter. Average temperature is 60º. Summer days are hot, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s, and 1 to 3 inches of rain each month. Winter days are chilly, with temperatures in the 20s, 30s and 40s, and 1 to 3 inches of snow each month from December through March. Air quality is above the national average.
Gardeners in Bartlesville enjoy an 8-month season from the first planting of peas in mid-February to the late October tomato harvest. Warm spring rains produce daffodils and forsythia in March, and mild days and cool nights of a long Indian summer encourage a wide variety of flowering perennials in the fall.
Oklahoma is still the state where the “wind comes sweepin’ down the plain," and Bartlesville can experience severe weather, primarily thunderstorms. Although situated in a broad geographical area called “Tornado Alley”, Bartlesville’s last experience with a tornado was in 1991 when a Force 4 tornado blew by 25 miles away.
Average Annual Temperature 60º
Seasonal Averages
- Spring 61º
- Summer 79º
- Fall 60º
- Winter 39º
- Annual Rainfall is 35 inches
- Annual Snowfall is 10 inches
- Average growing season is 8 months