Overview
Major County lies in the northwestern part of the U.S. state Oklahoma. It is a predominantly rural area with low population density; the U.S. census reported 7,545 people living in the county in 2000. The administrative center and largest incorporated community is the town of Fairview, which serves as the county seat.
Landscape and climate
The county sits on the Great Plains and is characterized by rolling prairie, mixed grasslands and agricultural fields. Soils and weather in the region support dryland farming and cattle grazing. Summers are typically warm to hot and winters are cool, reflecting a continental climate with periodic severe weather, including thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes.
Economy and land use
Major County’s economy is anchored by agriculture—grain crops and livestock are common—alongside energy-related activities. Oil and natural gas production have historically contributed to local revenue in many parts of northwestern Oklahoma. Small businesses, schools and county services provide additional employment for residents.
History and development
The area that became Major County was inhabited for centuries by Indigenous peoples and later opened to settlement by non-Indigenous farmers and ranchers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Communities grew around agricultural trade, rail lines and resource development. Over time the county established local government institutions to manage roads, schools and public safety.
Communities and governance
Aside from Fairview, Major County includes smaller towns and unincorporated settlements that serve surrounding farms and ranches. County government provides typical local services—courts, record keeping, road maintenance and law enforcement—operating from the seat in Fairview.
Notable aspects
Major County exemplifies many rural counties on the High Plains: a close relationship between land and livelihood, a small population spread across a wide area, and an economy that mixes agriculture with energy production. For official information and resources about county services and statistics, consult county and state portals or local reference guides.
For additional context and maps, see state and county resources: Oklahoma state resources and local governmental guides linked through county information pages.