Carter county, formed in 1907 from Chickasaw lands, is located in south central Oklahoma with Ardmore (located near the intersection of U.S. Highways 70 and 77) serving as the county seat. Interstate 35 runs parallel to U.S. 77 to the east.
Lake Murray, shared with Love County to the south, and Lake Murray Resort Park provide the major outdoor recreational spots for visitors to the area.
Among the interesting historical sites around the county are the Ardmore Historic Commercial District, the Healdton Oil Field Bunk House near Wilson and the Brady Cabin near Ardmore.
The county population on July 1, 1999, was 44,533, an increase of 1,614 over the 1990 census.