The petroleum industry has played a key role in the history of Ponca City. In 1911, E. W. Marland founded the Marland Oil Company in Oklahoma, which once controlled 10% of the world's oil reserves. The company leased land from the Ponca tribe to build the 101 Ranch Oil Company. Marland was a state legislator, and later became governor of Oklahoma. He helped to transform the town and attract investors from all over the world.
The state of Oklahoma is home to seven senators, each elected to six-year terms. The terms of senators are staggered, and the chart below shows Oklahoma's senators. In Ponca City, there were 194 college graduates in 2019. In 2018, there were 233 males and 251 female students. The median household income in Ponca City is $44,043.
In the twentieth century, Ponca City was the site of minor-league baseball. The Poncans played baseball from 1923 to 26. The Ponca City Angels played in 1934 and the Ponca City Dodgers operated from 1947 to 1952. In 1954, the Ponca City Jets played in the Sooner State League, and were replaced by the Ponca City Cubs in 1955. Today, the city boasts several landmarks listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as a number of regional events throughout the year.
Currently, the Ponca City population is approximately 23,660. According to the U.S. Census, it ranks 1678th in size among large cities. It covers an area of 18.4 square miles. The city is home to many ranchers and farmers, and is one of the largest ranching communities in the state. It also is home to a number of small businesses. With a population that numbers in the thousands, Ponca City is one of the most diverse towns in the world.