McClain County is a county in Oklahoma, United States, on the Canadian River south of Oklahoma City. It had a population of 41,662 at the 2020 census and covers 580 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km2) are land, centred near 35°00′N 97°26′W.
Purcell is the county seat, and its postal code is 73080. The county has three incorporated cities, seven incorporated towns, and several unincorporated communities. McClain County lies in the Central time zone.
Towns & Villages in McClain County
McClain County has 15 named places on record: three cities, seven towns, and five unincorporated communities. City and town figures are 2020 census counts; CDP and unincorporated figures are often unavailable and shown as —.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purcell | City · seat | — | 73080 |
| Newcastle | City | — | 73065 |
| Blanchard | City | — | 73010 |
| Byars | Town | — | 74831 |
| Cole | Town | — | 73080 |
| Dibble | Town | — | 73031 |
| Goldsby | Town | — | 73093 |
| Rosedale | Town | — | 73080 |
| Washington | Town | — | 73093 |
| Wayne | Town | — | 73095 |
| Chism | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Criner | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Johnsonville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Payne | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Stealy | Unincorp. | — | — |
Newcastle and Blanchard both sit near the Cleveland County line and are increasingly Oklahoma City commuter suburbs, while Byars and Cole lie close to Garvin County to the south — none of the names duplicate a neighboring county’s places.
ZIP Codes
- 73080 — Purcell (also serves Cole and Rosedale)
- 73065 — Newcastle
- 73010 — Blanchard
- 73093 — Washington (also serves Goldsby)
- 73095 — Wayne
- 74831 — Byars
- 73031 — Dibble
Chism, Criner, Johnsonville, Payne, and Stealy have no post office of their own and are served by the ZIP of the nearest incorporated town.
Geography
McClain County sits in the Red Bed Plains of the Osage Plains, split by the Canadian River, which crosses the county roughly west to east. Interstate 35 runs north–south through Purcell parallel to the river, and Interstate 44 crosses the northwestern corner. Cleveland County borders to the north, Pottawatomie County to the northeast, Pontotoc County to the east, Garvin County to the south, and Grady County to the west.
Demographics
The county’s population was 41,662 at the 2020 census. Newcastle and Blanchard are its two largest communities, both growing fast as Oklahoma City’s metro area pushes south across the Canadian River. Oklahoma’s median household income is $62,138 (2023 ACS); McClain County, as a commuter-heavy suburban county, typically runs above that state figure, though a verified county-level number is not available here.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture and ranching shaped the county historically, and cattle and hay operations remain common on its rural land. Duke Energy operates a power plant near Newcastle, and the Chickasaw Nation’s Riverwind Casino draws visitors from across the Oklahoma City metro. A growing share of residents commute north on I-35 for work in Oklahoma City and Norman.
History
McClain County was created at Oklahoma statehood in 1907, formed from parts of the former Chickasaw Nation lands. It was named for Charles M. McClain, a delegate to Oklahoma’s constitutional convention. Purcell, on the Santa Fe Railway and the Canadian River, was an established rail town before the county itself existed.
Getting There
Interstate 35 is the county’s main highway, running through Purcell and Goldsby; Interstate 44 clips the northwest corner near Newcastle.
- Oklahoma City — 25 miles north
- Norman — 12 miles northeast
- Ada — 45 miles southeast
- Chickasha — 20 miles west
Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City is the nearest commercial airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is McClain County, Oklahoma?
It is in south-central Oklahoma, on the Canadian River just south of Oklahoma City.
What is the population of McClain County?
41,662 at the 2020 census.
How big is McClain County?
580 square miles (1,500 km2), including about 9.6 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of McClain County?
Purcell is the county seat.
How many towns are in McClain County?
Three cities and seven incorporated towns, plus several unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in McClain County?
73010, 73031, 73065, 73080, 73093, 73095, and 74831.
Why is McClain County named that?
For Charles M. McClain, a delegate to Oklahoma’s 1906–1907 constitutional convention.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Oklahoma.