Is IKEA Coming to Oklahoma or Oklahoma City in 2024?
As an Oklahoma resident and retail analyst, I often get asked whether IKEA, everyone‘s favorite Swedish furnishing store, has plans to open a location in the Sooner State. This question has been swirling for years, but the answer remains a bit murky.
IKEA is famously selective when choosing new store locations based on population density. Does Oklahoma finally have enough people to catch IKEA‘s attention? Let‘s take a data-driven look.
IKEA‘s Strict Location Requirements
IKEA aims to build stores where a minimum of 2 million people live within a 40 to 60 mile radius. This gives them a large enough customer base to generate significant sales.
Oklahoma City now has around 690,000 residents, while Tulsa has 411,000. The entire state of Oklahoma has just under 4 million people.
These numbers fall far short of IKEA‘s threshold. However, our population is steadily rising.
| Year | Oklahoma Population | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3,687,050 | – |
| 2015 | 3,911,338 | +6.06% |
| 2020 | 3,956,971 | +1.17% |
If growth continues at even a modest 1% annual pace, Oklahoma could reach 4.5 million by 2030. Our major metros are also expanding outwards, filling in suburbs.
So the population stats suggest an Oklahoma IKEA is still a long shot, but not impossible within the next decade if current trends persist.
Where Would IKEA Locate in Oklahoma?
If IKEA does ever set its sights on the Sooner State, the most likely spots for the first store would be:
In the OKC metro along Memorial Rd or near Chisholm Creek, which has seen major development. Real estate experts actually approached IKEA previously about building at Chisholm Creek, but our low population compared to other markets was a deal-breaker. However, with more people and amenities in this area than ever before, I believe it now has strong potential.
In Tulsa near Woodland Hills Mall, which has ample available space. Tulsa has also seen many corporations and facilities expanding west of downtown, so western Tulsa seems primed.
My own prediction is that Oklahoma City likely offers the best opportunity if IKEA enters our state. OKC has seen more rapid growth in the north suburbs where IKEA tends to locate. I‘ll be keeping an eye on advancing commercial development in that region.
Yes, You Can Still Shop at IKEA!
While Oklahomans don‘t yet have an IKEA to browse in person, there are still options to access IKEA‘s stylish furniture:
Online shipping – IKEA delivers to most of the US with shipping fees from $5 to $49 depending on order size. I order smaller items like kitchen gadgets online all the time!
In-store pickup – The nearest IKEA stores are 3-6 hours away in Texas. If you rent a U-Haul or trailer, you can drive there, fill up, and haul your new furniture back to Oklahoma. My friend recently got a bedroom set from the Frisco IKEA location this way.
Third-party delivery – Services like goPuff and Delivery.com let you order IKEA products for delivery in 1-2 days. It costs extra, but saves the drive if you want big items fast.
No matter what, with a bit of effort us Oklahomans can still enjoy IKEA‘s signature meatballs and products!
The Verdict: An Oklahoma IKEA Could Happen Eventually
While IKEA isn‘t racing to plant its blue and yellow flag here anytime soon, I think Oklahoma City or Tulsa realistically could achieve IKEA status within the next 5-10 years if cards fall into place.
Our population is slowly growing and more commerce is coming to major suburbs. If development accelerates and enough Oklahomans beg for a store, the state may finally hit IKEA‘s requirements.
Will we see an Oklahoma IKEA in 2024? Unfortunately, the prognosis is no. But I‘d bet we‘ll have our own before 2030 if local growth meets projections. My fingers are crossed!
So fellow Oklahomans, keep furnishing those homes with IKEA‘s smart designs. And get ready, because we could have a showroom in our own backyard soon enough!
