Welcome to Durant! Small town charm and Native American heritage permeate this city in Southeastern Oklahoma. With more than 19,000 residents making their home in the "Magnolia Capital of Oklahoma," Durant balances the conveniences of a larger city with the community feel of a smaller town. From historic Fort Washita to the luxurious Choctaw Casino Resort on the beautiful waters of Lake Texoma, Durant offers something for everyone.
Vision Bank has a wealth of knowledge about the community. We've been rooted in Southeastern Oklahoma since 1900 and opened our Durant office in 2006. Our employees live and work here, and we proudly support our local residents, businesses, the Southeastern Oklahoma State University community and other school districts in the area. We love calling Durant home and can't wait to welcome you. Here's what you need to know for a successful move to Durant.
Durant's History
It took only a boxcar placed on the east side of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway tracks to begin occupation of the Durant townsite. In 1873 Dixon Durant built a wooden store to the east of the boxcar and named the town Durant Station. The town grew from there, and in 1882 the name was shortened to Durant. An agricultural area, the town's economy revolved around the production of wheat, peanuts, cotton, and cattle. Today the town features wholesale, retail, and light-manufacturing businesses as well as Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
Average Cost of Living in Durant, OK
According to Sperling's Best Places, the overall cost of living in Durant is 18% lower than the national average. The median home value is $192,400, Whether you're relocating to Durant as a college student, young family, or retiree, you'll appreciate the low cost of living.
School Districts and Education
The Durant School District offers seven schools to serve the needs of its community. The Robert E. Lee Early Childhood Center serves the pre-k students of the area. Northwest Heights, and Washington Irving Elementary schools serve students in kindergarten through fourth grades. Students in grades 5 and 6 attend Durant Intermediate School and grades 7-8 attend Durant Middle School. Traditionally, students in grades 9-12 attend Durant High School, but Durant Vision Academy is an alternative high school for students with special circumstances. Both Durant Middle School and Durant High School receive higher than average reviews on GreatSchools.org. Southeastern Oklahoma State University calls Durant home and brings a college-town feel to the city.
Public and Private Utilities in Durant
Water: The City of Durant operates the public water and sanitation system. Sourced from the Blue River, Durant water is abundant and affordable. The town offers a convenient online payment system.
Electricity: Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OGE) is the state's "oldest and largest investor-owned electric utility." The Southeastern Electric Cooperative also serves the area.
Natural Gas: Oklahoma Natural Gas is the state's largest natural gas supplier.
Cable and Internet: The primary provider of cable and internet is AT&T. Internet is also provided by Vyve Broadband and 360 Communications.
Parks and Recreation
Outdoor opportunities abound near Durant. Lake Texoma is the second largest lake in the state and sprawls across the state lines and into Texas. Six million visitors spend time at Lake Texhoma each year! Lake Texoma State Park offers swimming, camping, horseback riding, golf, tennis, hiking and water sports. A more leisurely afternoon can be spent exploring Fort Washita. Built in 1842, the mission of the fort was to protect the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes from the Plains Indians. Fort Washita is open to visitors Tuesday - Saturday and for special events throughout the year. The Choctaw Casino and Resort is a large regional attraction offering game play, luxury amenities and outstanding concerts. If sporting events are more your thing, Southeastern Oklahoma State athletics offer the college sports experience with football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and more. Whatever your taste in leisure activities, Durant has you covered.
Healthcare Services & Key Industries
Alliance Health Durant serves healthcare system serving Durant and operates the 148-bed Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma. The healthcare hub for a five-county region provides a complete range of medical and surgical services.
Durant is home to the headquarters of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma – the third largest Indian nation in the United States with over 200,000 tribal members. The Choctaw Nation employees more than 11,000 individuals. The Choctaw Nation is an outstanding community partner and plays a pivotal role in the regional community.
Key industries in the Durant area include:
- Aerospace - including Nolan Avionics
- Automotive - including ETS-Lindgren
- Distribution - including Big Lots, Indian Nation Wholesale and Webstaurant
- Food Processing – BrucePac
- Manufacturing – including CMC Metals, Cardinal FG of Durant, Tubacex Durant
Visit Your New Community Bank Today!
We can't wait to have you as our neighbor. Vision Bank is proud to be part of such a friendly and welcoming community. We know that moving can be stressful, and switching banks is just one of many tasks on your relocation checklist. That's why our helpful and efficient employees make it easy to open an account at Vision Bank. While you're there, pull out your list of questions about Durant - we're happy to help! Whether you need a restaurant recommendation or directions to the state park, our friendly staff is happy to share their knowledge of Durant. Visit our Durant branch today to open a new checking account, apply for a mortgage, or find solutions to all of your banking needs.