Bethany, Oklahoma | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 35°30′17″N97°38′20″W / 35.50472°N 97.63889°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Oklahoma |
County | Oklahoma |
Government | |
• Type | council-manager |
Area | |
• Total | 5.23 sq mi (13.54 km2) |
• Land | 5.23 sq mi (13.54 km2) |
• Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
Elevation | 1,309 ft (399 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 20,831 |
• Density | 3,984.51/sq mi (1,538.38/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code | 73008 |
Area code | 405 |
FIPS code | 40-05700 [3] |
GNIS feature ID | 2409839 [2] |
Website | City of Bethany |
Bethany is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Bethany has a population of 20,831 at the 2020 census, a 9.3% increase from 2010. The community was founded in 1909 by followers of the Church of the Nazarene from Oklahoma City.
Bethany was founded July 28, 1909 as a community where members of the Church of the Nazarene, an evangelical Christian movement that developed from Holiness churches, could practice their religious beliefs without interference by non-members. The town was named after the biblical place of Bethany. [4] The community quickly founded Oklahoma Holiness College (now known as Southern Nazarene University, SNU). Two other institutions were soon established, the Oklahoma Orphanage (now the Children's Center, a medical facility) operated by Mattie Mallory, and the Nazarene Rescue Home for unwed mothers. [5]
Bethany incorporated on August 8, 1910 as a rural town; its economy depended on the surrounding farmlands. It gained a post office on March 11, 1913. With a relatively large population of conservative Nazarenes, the town council soon enacted strict blue laws that banned alcohol, tobacco, gambling, dancing, movies, swearing, and working on Sundays. After Bethany reorganized as a first class city in 1931, it relaxed these laws to some extent.
An F4 tornado struck Bethany on November 19, 1930, killing 23 people and destroying 652 buildings. [5] It is one of three documented violent November tornadoes in Oklahoma since 1900. [6] Recovery from the storm was slow until the outbreak of World War II. Defense industries rapidly developed in the area, and the city added population as bedroom community, or suburb for workers commuting to Oklahoma City. [5]
The city is in the central part of Oklahoma County, approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of downtown Oklahoma City, and is bounded by Warr Acres on the east and by Lake Overholser and Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge [7] on the west. [5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13 km2), all land.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1920 | 485 | — | |
1930 | 2,032 | 319.0% | |
1940 | 2,590 | 27.5% | |
1950 | 5,705 | 120.3% | |
1960 | 12,342 | 116.3% | |
1970 | 22,694 | 83.9% | |
1980 | 22,038 | −2.9% | |
1990 | 20,075 | −8.9% | |
2000 | 20,307 | 1.2% | |
2010 | 19,051 | −6.2% | |
2020 | 20,831 | 9.3% | |
Sources: [3] [8] [9] [10] |
According to the 2020 census, the racial composition of Bethany was as follows: [11]
As of the census [3] of 2000, there were 20,307 people, 8,161 households, and 5,280 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,896.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,504.5/km2). There were 8,874 housing units at an average density of 1,702.8 per square mile (657.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.79% White, 4.36% African American, 2.87% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.18% from other races, and 3.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.80% of the population.
There were 8,161 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,073, and the median income for a family was $43,905. Males had a median income of $30,180 versus $24,747 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,793. About 6.9% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
The largest employers in the area include: Southern Nazarene University, Southwestern Christian University, The Children's Center, Bethany and Putnam City Public Schools, City of Bethany, and Gilbert Medical Clinic. Bethany became the headquarters for the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in 1975. It is also the headquarters for the Pinto Horse Association of America. [5]
The city operates using a council-manager government system. The city council comprises two members elected from each of the four wards. The city manager, city attorney, and municipal judge are appointed by the council. The mayor is elected at large. [5] The current mayor is Nikki Lloyd.
Most of Bethany is represented in the Oklahoma Senate by Julia Kirt, with some areas falling into the districts of Carrie Hicks and Greg Treat. It is represented in the Oklahoma House of Representatives by Tammy West and Marilyn Stark.
Both Bethany School District and the Putnam City School District provide educational needs to citizens within its district borders; the former includes central Bethany while the latter includes the majority of Bethany. [12]
The chief educational providers for elementary-aged students include the Southern Nazarene University School for Children on the campus of Calvary Church of the Nazarene, about 1 mile south of Southern Nazarene University, as well as Bethany Earl Harris Elementary. Primary school goes from pre-K - 5th grade. Bethany Middle School and Western Oaks Junior High School respond to those in 6th - 8th grade. Bethany High School, home of the Bronchos, covers grades 9th - 12th. Putnam City schools located within Bethany include: Apollo Elementary, Lake Park Elementary, Overholser Elementary, Western Oaks Elementary, and Western Oaks Middle School.
Much of the Putnam City areas are zoned to Putnam City West High School. [13]
The superintendent for Bethany Public Schools is Drew Eichelberger. [14] The website for Bethany Public Schools is http://bethanyschools.com/.
The superintendent for Putnam City Schools is Dr. Fred Rhodes. [15] The website for Putnam City Schools is http://putnamcityschools.org/.
Bethany is home to two universities: Southern Nazarene University (SNU) and Southwestern Christian University (SWCU).
SNU offers adult degree completion and many masters programs including an MBA with evening classes. Southwestern Christian University is a Holiness–Pentecostal university specializing in Bible and Christian ministries and offers adult degree completion and master programs. [5]
Metropolitan Library System operates the Bethany Library, which has 23,000 square feet (2,100 m2) of space. It began operations on January 31, 1965 in a different facility. The current facility opened on November 16, 2019, built from a bond approved on April 5, 2016. [16]
Wiley Post Airport handles business and commercial aircraft. It also has an industrial park that contains about fifty aviation-related businesses, including Rockwell International (an aircraft manufacturer), Million Air, Servicenter Incorporated, and the Federal Aviation Administration Systems Management Office. [5]
The main vehicular route in and out of Bethany is the 39th Street Expressway (part of Historic Route 66), which runs through downtown Bethany. [5]
The Bethany parks and recreation system includes many small neighborhood parks, and four large parks, Eldon Lyon Park, McFarland Park, Ripper Park, and Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge. Eldon Lyon Park is the venue for the annual Fourth of July festival, which is an all-day event with fireworks, a carnival, and a parade that starts on main street. Downtown festivals include Bethany66, the Annual Tree Lighting, Cinco de Mayo and is home to many special one-time musical events hosted by main street businesses.
Oklahoma County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 796,292, making it the most populous county in Oklahoma. The county seat is Oklahoma City, the state capital and largest city. Oklahoma County is at the heart of the Oklahoma City metropolitan statistical area.
Catoosa County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2020 census, the population was 67,872. The county seat is Ringgold. The county was created on December 5, 1853. The meaning of the Cherokee language name "Catoosa" is obscure. "Catoosa" may come from the Cherokee words gatusi or gatu'gitse.
Vilonia is a city in Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States. Its population was 4,288 in 2020 and estimated at 4,429 in 2021, up from 3,815 at the 2010 census and 2,106 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Central Arkansas region.
Interlachen is a town in Putnam County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Palatka, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,441 at the 2020 census, up from 1,403 at the 2010 census.
Casselberry is a city in Seminole County, Florida, United States. The city is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its population was 28,794 at the 2020 census.
Nampa is the most populous city in Canyon County, Idaho, United States. The population was 100,200 at the 2020 census. It is Idaho's 3rd most populous city. Nampa is about 20 miles (32 km) west of Boise along Interstate 84, and 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Meridian. It is the second principal city of the Boise metropolitan area. The name "Nampa" may have come from a Shoshoni word meaning either 'moccasin' or 'footprint'. According to toponymist William O. Bright the name comes from the Shoshoni word /nampai/, meaning "foot".
Ogden is a village in Champaign County, Illinois, United States. At the time of the 2020 census, the population was 729.
Winchester is a city in White River Township, Randolph County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The city is the county seat of Randolph County. The population was 4,935 at the 2010 census. It is the home of Winchester Speedway.
Bennington is a city in Ottawa County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 622.
Haysville is a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States, and a suburb of Wichita. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 11,262. Haysville is known as the "Peach Capital of Kansas".
Waite Park is a city in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 8,341 at the 2020 census.
Leipsic is a village in Putnam County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,177 at the 2020 census.
Hollis is a city in and the county seat of Harmon County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,060 at the 2010 census.
Forest Park is a town in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The population was 998 at the 2010 census.
Nicoma Park is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The name Nicoma is a portmanteau of the first three letters of Nichols, for G.A. Nichols, and the last three letters of Oklahoma. The population was 2,313 at the 2020 census, a 3.3% decrease from 2010.
Spencer is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The population was 3,978 at the 2020 census, a 1.7% increase from 2010.
Warr Acres is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. It was established after World War II by C.B. Warr, a dynamic businessman, builder, and commercial developer. The population was 10,452 at the 2020 census, a 4.1% increase from 2010.
Woodlawn Park is a town in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 161 at the 2000 census.
Ripley is a city in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 8,445 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lauderdale County.
Southern Nazarene University (SNU) is a private Nazarene university in Bethany, Oklahoma.