[5] It was named for Garret Hobart, the 24th Vice President of the United States.

The present town of Hobart began almost overnight on August 6, 1901, when lots on the former Kiowa-Apache-Comanche Reservation in southern Oklahoma Territory were put up for sale.

By 1903, Hobart had electric lights, an ice plant, and some large wholesale businesses.

[7] Hobart's population declined to 2,936 in 1920, but resumed growing for several years afterward.

[7] In the 1950 water supply in the area was improved with a series of reservoirs; the town is connected by aqueduct to Lake Hobart several kilometers to the north.

The economy of the area around Hobart was first based on farming, with the major crops being wheat and cotton.

By the 21st century, most of the employed townspeople worked in the education, health and social services industries.

32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.