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Cost of living in Lawton, Oklahoma is 76.2 and lower than the U.S. average.
Lawton, Oklahoma gets a BestPlaces Cost of Living score of 74.7, which means the total cost of housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, taxes and other necessities is 25.3% lower than the U.S. average and 9.1% higher than the average for Oklahoma.
The Newcomers Orientation and the First Term Soldiers Budgeting and Planning classes are mandatory activities provided during in-processing. You will receive instruction and inprocessing schedule upon reporting.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.
Storm Protection Areas in Lawton:There are no Public Storm Shelters within the city limits. Please take the proper precautions mentioned above in case of severe weather.Personal Storm Shelter Registration:Register your personal Storm Shelter or Safe Room with Emergency Management by calling (580) 355-0535 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Mission Statement
To provide soldiers, civilians, retirees and their families with a secure installation, consistent and efficient services, and quality facilities and infrastructure.
Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan staked out the site that would become Fort Sill in January 1869. Sheridan was leading a campaign into Indian Territory to stop hostile tribes from raiding border settlements in Texas and Kansas. Troops from the 10th Cavalry, a distinguished unit of African-American "Buffalo Soldiers" who constructed many of the stone buildings still surrounding the Old Post Quadrangle, camped at the new fort. Field artillery first arrived in 1902 and home of the field artillery since 1911. It is the original home of the infantry and aviation and The U.S. Marine Corps Artillery home since 1951. As home of the field artillery, Fort Sill is not only at the forefront of tremendous technological advances, but it is also steeped in natural, living history. Fort Sill is also a National History Landmark. Fort Sill is the only remaining active fort built during the Indian Wars. Fires Center of Excellence since 2009. For a thorough history of the installation, visit the Fort Sill homepage.
Fort Sill is a large installation. The total population in Fort Sill is about 53,000 including, 20,000 military and civilian personnel, and 33,000 military family members. There is a robust retiree community that is supported by Fort Sill.
The population of Lawton Fort Sill as of Census 2020 was 90,381. The average household size is 2.48 persons. 64.5% of households are families. 20.5% of Lawton's population aged 18 and older are civilian veterans of the military.
Cache - As of the census of 2020, there were 2,843 people, 1,037 households, and 780 families residing in the city. The population density was 841.40.9 people per square mile (307.3/km²).
Elgin - Growth of the town and its residents started slowly, with only 178 people living in Elgin in 1910, and 181 in 1920. The population increased more rapidly over the next few decades, with population over 1,200 in 2000. As of 2022 Elgin has an estimated population of 3,956 people.
Fort Sill is located in southwest Oklahoma, Comanche County, and adjacent to the city of Lawton. It is 90 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, the state capitol, and 50 miles north of Wichita Falls, Texas on Interstate 44.
Fort Sill serves as home of the United States Army Field Artillery School as well the Marine Corps' site for Field Artillery MOS school, United States Army Air Defense Artillery School, the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade and the 75th Field Artillery Brigade. Fort Sill is also one of the four locations for Army Basic Combat Training and many tenant activities.
At Fort Sill, we take enormous pride in our community, which is a community of excellence in spirit as well as in name. The wellspring of our excellence lies within our people; soldiers, marines, civilians, and families of Fort Sill unite in a common and abiding commitment to care for one another and treat everyone with dignity. The Welcome Center's phone number is 580-442-3217.
Arrival at Lawton Municipal Airport
There is a military representative at the Lawton Municipal Airport from 4:30 a.m. until the last flight arrives, usually about 10:30 p.m. Upon arrival at the airport you may want to stop by the military desk and request a Fort Sill Guide booklet and a Map. The booklet contains information, a phone directory, and Fort Sill/Lawton maps. The map also contains information, the Lawton map on one side and Fort Sill map on the other side.
If you drive from the Lawton Municipal Airport to Fort Sill, once you leave the airport you will come to a stop sign at 11th Street. Turn left on 11th Street and remain on it. It will become Fort Sill Boulevard which will lead you directly to the installation through Scott Gate. The distance from the Lawton Municipal Airport to Fort Sill is about 5 miles. You and your dependents will need a military ID card to be allowed on post. Security personnel stationed at the gates should provide additional assistance and will direct you to the Lodging, Officer in Charge (OIC) after working hours, or the Welcome Center, depending on your orders, time of arrival, rank, and marital status.don't recommend that you fly to Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport, unless you are planning to rent a car at the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City to drive to Fort Sill. There is no public transportation to Fort Sill from OK City, unless you use the Greyhound Bus, for which you will need to check their schedule and stops, and purchase the bus ticket.
Driving from Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport
If you drive from Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport, as you exit the terminal building, you will be on Meridian Road northbound. In approximately 1.5 miles, you will come to Airport Road. You should get on it eastbound. At the intersection of Interstate 44 (I-44), exit south on I-44, at which time you will be on Mile Marker 116. (Be ready to pay 2 tolls during your drive from OK City - will need $2.75 to cover for both.) Remain on I-44 for the next 80 miles or so until you see the signs for "Key Gate", and exit on Key Gate, mile marker 41.
Visitor Control Center
When the VCC is closed passes to gain entry to Fort Sill can be obtained at Key West and Bentley Gate Sheridan.
Who Needs a Pass?
Installation access cards from other DOD installations for example: Tinker Air Force Base, Sheppard Air Force Base and Fort Hood do not meet the criteria for installation access. Fort Sill has a “stand alone” installation access process and does not share information with other DOD installations.If you have a question about whether or not you need a pass card to gain access to Fort Sill, call the Visitor’s Control Center at 580-442-9602/9603 or email your question to Fort Sill at this email address: usarmy.sill.imcom-central.mbx.fort-sill-visitor-control-center@mail.mil
Contact Us
For questions by phone, please read the F.A.Q. first, all calls are answered in the order they are received and if it is a peak customer service period you may be asked to leave a message: 580-442-9607/9616.To reach the Captains of the Guards call: 580-558-4967. To reach the Department of the Army Program manager call: 580-558-6527. Under DOD guidelines adults and certain children who are 16 years old or older and are driving a vehicle without a current active duty military I.D. card, family I.D. or retiree I.D. must go through the VCC for a pass card that will allow them unescorted access to Fort Sill.
Arriving in Oklahoma City?
There is no transportation agreement from Oklahoma City Will Rogers Airport to Fort Sill. Make all efforts to fly directly into Lawton Fort Sill Regional Airport.
The Military Welcome Center at Will Rogers World Airport is centrally located in the airport terminal pre-security next to the Southwest Airlines ticket counter. The Welcome Center offers a restful and relaxing atmosphere for traveling military members from all branches, active or retired. The center provides refreshment, internet access, long-distance phone service, stamps/stationery, games and hi-definition satellite TV. Due to COVID-19 current operations at the Welcome Center are based on the on-call needs of the U.S. Army. Call 405-680-9781 for more information.
Fort Sill is a 'closed' post. In order to gain access you must show a valid Military Identification Card. Visitors without a military ID must complete a Fort Sill Form 118 and go to the Fort Sill Visitor Welcome Center to request access to Fort Sill.
When the VCC is closed, passes to gain entry to Fort Sill can be obtained at Key West Gate and Bentley Gate Sheridan Road.
Installation access cards from other DOD installations for example: Tinker Air Force Base, Sheppard Air Force Base, Fort Hood do not meet the criteria for installation access. Fort Sill has a “stand alone” installation access process and does not share information with other DOD installations.
If you have a question about whether or not you need a pass card to gain access to Fort Sill, call the Visitor’s Control Center at 580-442-9602/9603 or email your question to Fort Sill at this email address: usarmy.sill.imcom-central.mbx.fort-sill-visitor-control-center@mail.mil
The distance from the Lawton Municipal Airport to Fort Sill is about 5 miles. You and your dependents will need a military ID card to be allowed on post. Security personnel stationed at the gates should provide additional assistance and will direct you to the Lodging, Officer in Charge (OIC) after working hours, or the Welcome Center, depending on your orders, time of arrival, rank, and marital status.
If you drive from the Lawton Municipal Airport to Fort Sill, once you leave the airport you will come to a stop sign at 11th Street. Turn left on 11th Street and remain on it. It will become Fort Sill Boulevard which will lead you directly to the installation through Scott Gate.
Fort Sill is a 'closed' post. In order to gain access you must show a valid Military Identification Card. Visitors without a military ID must complete a Fort Sill Form 118 and go to the Fort Sill Visitor Control Center to request access to Fort Sill.
When the VCC is closed, passes to gain entry to Fort Sill can be obtained at Key West Gate and Bentley Gate (Sheridan Road).
Installation access cards from other DOD installations for example: Tinker Air Force Base, Sheppard Air Force Base and Fort Hood do not meet the criteria for installation access. Fort Sill has a “stand alone” installation access process and does not share information with other DOD installations.
The only cab service allowed to enter Fort Sill is AmeriCab Company. If you have no one to bring you to Fort Sill to process in, usually AmeriCab are parked in front of the airport where you can easily flag one, or you may want to make use of the public phone to call AmeriCab 580-355-5555. The average cost for the taxi from the Lawton Municipal Airport to Fort Sill is $10.00 for one person and $2.00 for each additional person using the cab, prices are subject to change without prior notice.
LATS! (Lawton Area Transit System)
Clean, Safe, Affordable Transportation in Lawton, OK
For over a decade, the Lawton Areas Transit System (LATS) has been the premier transportation system for the residents of Lawton, OK. With fixed route bus transportation, para-transit and charter bus options, LATS is the safe and affordable solution when you or loved ones need to get somewhere. Our fixed route system operates each hour, Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fares
Air Alert Fare - 1/2 OFF regular priceAdults 18 and over ... $1.50Students ages 6-17 .... $1.00Children 5 and under (accompanied by a paying passenger) ... FREEMedicare, seniors, & disabled persons (with LATS photo ID) ... $.75Transfers (to complete a one-way trip) ... FREE
* Ask the operator for a transfer to complete your one-way trip. Transfers are valid for 45 minutes from the time/date stamp. Medicare cardholders, seniors (62 and older), and persons with disabilities can apply for their photo identification card at the LATS office located at 611 SW Bishop Road. Present your Medicare card for the medicare discount, proof of age for senior discount, or complete an application regarding disability for discount.*
LATS Fort Sill Shuttle
All who want to book a trip on the Fort Sill Shuttle need to call the LATS office at (580) 248‐5252. Ext 2. Each ride is $1.50 and passengers will pay once on board the vehicle. Fort Sill shuttle hours are the same as the fixed route.
Passengers going to Fort Sill will be picked up from the Downtown Transfer Center and be driven to their destination on Fort Sill. Passengers will need to call LATS to schedule this trip. Passengers may schedule a pickup to 2 (two) hours before their pickup.
Passengers wanting to go from Fort Sill to Lawton will be picked up from their location on Fort Sill and dropped off at the Downtown Transfer Center Passengers may schedule a pickup 2 (two) hours before their pickup. If you need to transfer to the fixed route just ask the driver for a transfer ticket
Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation.