City of Stillwater - Government

Stillwater is a growing and confident community of about 51,000 located between Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Wichita, Kansas, and serves as a hub for north central Oklahoma in all things cultural, economic and athletic. USA Today, Forbes and CNN/Money Magazine recognized Stillwater as an outstanding community and a wonderful place to begin a career, to start a business, to raise a family, or to retire. Established in the Land Run of 1889, Stillwater boasts a great educational system and is home to Oklahoma State University. The City of Stillwater employs more than 500 people, and each person is committed to providing outstanding public service. The City is led by an experienced management team who are strong supporters of business and are dedicated to growing the local economy. It operates under a council-manager system. In this form of government, an elected city council is responsible for making policy, passing ordinances and approving the city’s budget. City Council appoints the city manager, city attorney, and municipal judge. Citizens are encouraged to be an active participant in local government. Our civic leadership is dedicated to attracting new businesses, fostering entrepreneurial growth, and promoting local shopping. Stillwater has an exceptional downtown with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, numerous city parks and trails, and the community’s medical resources are among the top in the state. Stillwater’s growth is constant at approximately two percent per year. According to 2026 numbers, it is the ninth largest city in Oklahoma.