12 Stereotypes About Oklahoma That Need to Be Put to Rest – Right Now

Here are 12 stereotypes about Oklahoma that need to be put to rest right now:

1. Everyone Drives a Truck and Wears Boots
   Many Oklahomans don’t drive trucks or wear cowboy boots daily. People dress in a variety of styles just like anywhere else.
2. Everyone Lives on a Farm
   Oklahoma is largely urban and suburban, especially in cities like Oklahoma City, where most people don’t live on farms or ranches.
3. Tornadoes Happen Every Day
   Although tornadoes occur, they are not daily events. Severe, catastrophic tornadoes are actually rare.
4. Oklahoma is Just Dirt and Flat Land
   The state has diverse geography including mountains, lakes, forests, and beautiful parks—not just flat dusty plains.
5. Football is Life for Everyone
   While college football is huge here, many Oklahomans don’t follow it closely or care about it much.
6. Teepees are Everywhere
   This stereotype is outdated. Native American culture is respected and celebrated, but people do not live in teepees.
7. Oklahoma is Behind the Times
   The state has some outdated laws but also pioneers laws in areas like child safety. Its cities are modernizing and culturally vibrant.
8. Oklahomans are Not Well Known
   Many famous people hail from Oklahoma, including singers, actors, and cultural icons.
9. Everyone Says “Y’all”
   This one is true; “y’all” is widely used in everyday speech.
10. Everyone Owns Horses
    While horses are part of the culture, the majority of residents don’t own them and live in urban settings.
11. Oklahoma Summers are Dry and Hot
    Summers here often feature high humidity along with heat, which can be uncomfortable.
12. Oklahoma City is Uninteresting and Backward
    The city is modern, diverse, and growing with vibrant arts, culture, and culinary scenes.

These common stereotypes overlook the vibrant, diverse, and modern reality of Oklahoma. The state’s residents enjoy a mix of urban lifestyles, thriving arts and sports scenes, varied geography, and a rich cultural heritage.

SOURCES

[1](https://okcmom.com/8-common-misconceptions-oklahoma/)
[2](https://www.thisismeldrake.com/blog-posts/funny-things-everyone-assumes-about-oklahoma-city)
[3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToiEkk5C92o)
[4](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAnAmerican/comments/bb4fqz/nonoklahomans_what_are_some_stereotypes_of/)
[5](https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1491&context=etd)