Hughes County | |
---|---|
![]() 1909 map of Hughes County | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma | |
![]() Oklahoma's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 35°02′N96°16′W / 35.04°N 96.26°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | 1907 |
Named for | W. C. Hughes |
Seat | Holdenville |
Largest city | Holdenville |
Area | |
• Total | 815 sq mi (2,110 km2) |
• Land | 805 sq mi (2,080 km2) |
• Water | 10 sq mi (30 km2) 1.3% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 13,367 |
• Density | 16/sq mi (6.3/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 2nd |
Hughes County is a county located in south central U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,367. [1] Its county seat is Holdenville. [2] The county was named for W. C. Hughes, an Oklahoma City lawyer who was a member of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention. [3]
The area now occupied by Hughes County was part of Indian Territory in the 19th Century. The Creeks settled in the northern part, which fell within the Wewoka District of the Creek Nation, while the Choctaws settled in the southern, which fell within portions of Atoka County and Tobucksy County of the Choctaw Nation. [3] In 1834, Camp Holmes was established and used as a base for the Dodge-Leavenworth Expedition. It was near Edwards' Store on Little River, one of the first settlements in this area. Also, following Quapaw removal in 1834, several small groups of Quapaw dispersed throughout Indian Territory. There were absentee groups of Quapaw living along the Red River and in Creek, Choctaw and Cherokee territory. There was a Quapaw settlement near camp Holmes in Hughes County. [4]
When the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad built in 1895, the Edward's settlement was moved north for access to the railroad. The town established there was named Holden, for James Franklin Holder, a railroad official. However, the Post Office Department would not accept that name because it was too similar to the name Holder. The town was renamed Holdenville. The post office opened November 15, 1895. Holdenville incorporated in 1898. [3]
Hughes County was created at statehood and named for W. C. Hughes, [5] an Oklahoma City lawyer who was a member of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention. [3]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 815 square miles (2,110 km2), of which 805 square miles (2,080 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.3%) is water. [6] The county is located in the Sandstone Hills physiographic region. It is drained by the North Canadian River, Canadian River, and Little River. [3]
The county includes Holdenville and Wetumka lakes. [7]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1910 | 24,040 | — | |
1920 | 26,045 | 8.3% | |
1930 | 30,334 | 16.5% | |
1940 | 29,189 | −3.8% | |
1950 | 20,664 | −29.2% | |
1960 | 15,144 | −26.7% | |
1970 | 13,228 | −12.7% | |
1980 | 14,338 | 8.4% | |
1990 | 13,023 | −9.2% | |
2000 | 14,154 | 8.7% | |
2010 | 14,003 | −1.1% | |
2020 | 13,367 | −4.5% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10] 1990-2000 [11] 2010 [12] |
As of the census [13] of 2000, there were 14,154 people, 5,319 households, and 3,675 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km2). There were 6,237 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 72.77% White, 4.48% Black or African American, 16.18% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 5.36% from two or more races. 2.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 94.3% spoke English, 2.6% Muskogee and 2.5% Spanish as their first language.
There were 5,319 households, out of which 28.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.50% were married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.20% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 18.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 105.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $22,621, and the median income for a family was $29,153. Males had a median income of $22,337 versus $18,029 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,687. About 16.70% of families and 21.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.40% of those under age 18 and 17.60% of those age 65 or over.
Despite the county being home to a significant Native American population and, until recently, a substantial Democratic registration advantage, Hughes County has voted Republican in every presidential election in the 21st century. Following the lead of most rural counties nationwide, the Republican Party candidate has won at least 60% of the vote in the county since 2008, with Donald Trump topping out at 80.4% of the vote in 2024.
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 30, 2023 [14] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Number of Voters | Percentage | |||
Democratic | 2,467 | 35.47% | |||
Republican | 3,446 | 49.54% | |||
Others | 1,043 | 14.99% | |||
Total | 6,956 | 100% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 3,744 | 80.36% | 831 | 17.84% | 84 | 1.80% |
2020 | 3,875 | 79.78% | 919 | 18.92% | 63 | 1.30% |
2016 | 3,388 | 74.86% | 961 | 21.23% | 177 | 3.91% |
2012 | 2,838 | 67.44% | 1,370 | 32.56% | 0 | 0.00% |
2008 | 3,134 | 64.71% | 1,709 | 35.29% | 0 | 0.00% |
2004 | 3,066 | 57.32% | 2,283 | 42.68% | 0 | 0.00% |
2000 | 2,196 | 47.90% | 2,334 | 50.91% | 55 | 1.20% |
1996 | 1,510 | 30.13% | 2,748 | 54.83% | 754 | 15.04% |
1992 | 1,522 | 27.40% | 2,850 | 51.31% | 1,182 | 21.28% |
1988 | 2,037 | 38.24% | 3,259 | 61.18% | 31 | 0.58% |
1984 | 2,663 | 47.57% | 2,901 | 51.82% | 34 | 0.61% |
1980 | 2,170 | 39.35% | 3,211 | 58.22% | 134 | 2.43% |
1976 | 1,715 | 28.79% | 4,185 | 70.27% | 56 | 0.94% |
1972 | 3,497 | 64.86% | 1,787 | 33.14% | 108 | 2.00% |
1968 | 1,897 | 33.60% | 2,578 | 45.67% | 1,170 | 20.73% |
1964 | 1,692 | 27.43% | 4,477 | 72.57% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 3,117 | 50.49% | 3,057 | 49.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 2,783 | 39.41% | 4,278 | 60.59% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 3,012 | 39.37% | 4,639 | 60.63% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 1,676 | 23.38% | 5,492 | 76.62% | 0 | 0.00% |
1944 | 2,484 | 33.09% | 5,009 | 66.73% | 13 | 0.17% |
1940 | 3,168 | 34.46% | 6,005 | 65.31% | 21 | 0.23% |
1936 | 2,032 | 25.31% | 5,990 | 74.60% | 8 | 0.10% |
1932 | 1,114 | 14.66% | 6,485 | 85.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
1928 | 3,937 | 55.18% | 3,169 | 44.41% | 29 | 0.41% |
1924 | 1,994 | 32.16% | 3,996 | 64.45% | 210 | 3.39% |
1920 | 3,049 | 45.60% | 3,487 | 52.15% | 150 | 2.24% |
1916 | 1,219 | 28.98% | 2,187 | 52.00% | 800 | 19.02% |
1912 | 1,228 | 30.69% | 1,769 | 44.21% | 1,004 | 25.09% |
Agriculture and cattle raising have long been important to the county economy. Primary crops have been cotton, wheat, corn, oats, peanuts, and soybeans. The most important other employers in the county are: Davis Correctional Center (which is operated by Corrections Corporation of America), Tyson Foods, Wes Watkins Technology Center, and Aquafarms, which has since gone out of business. [3]
Hughes County has one level 4 hospital, Holdenville General Hospital, a city-owned hospital (public trust) under the Holdenville Public Works Authority, opened in 1969 as a 55 licensed bed general medical-surgical hospital. The hospital experienced a fire on May 18, 2002. On June 30, 2002, the renovated hospital reopened with 25 licensed beds, and on July 1, 2002, was re-designated by CMS as a Critical Access Hospital. This designation effects the way Medicare reimburses the hospital. In 1998, the city formed the Holdenville Hospital Authority. In July 2011, the hospital became a Tier 1 Affiliate with St. Anthony Hospital. This allows collaboration between the hospitals to improve services and support for patient transfers to higher levels of care when needed. [16]
In 1979 Hughes County Commissioners established a 522 Ambulance Service Board, and Opened Hughes County EMS. Hughes County EMS is an ALS level service licensed by the State of Oklahoma, with Paramedics on every unit. The system operates 4 units, 2 out of Holdenville (EMS 1 and EMS 3) and Horntown (EMS 2 and EMS 4) during certain times of the year, Horntown functions as a posting point with the crews in Calvin and Wetumka. [3]
School districts (all K-12) include: [17]
The following sites are in Hughes County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
Pittsburg County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 43,773. Its county seat is McAlester. The county was formed from part of the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory in 1907. County leaders believed that its coal production compared favorably with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the time of statehood.
Ottawa County is a county located in the northeastern corner of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,285. Its county seat is Miami. The county was named for the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma. It is also the location of the federally recognized Modoc Nation and the Quapaw Nation, which is based in Quapaw.
Love County is a county on the southern border of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,146. Its county seat is Marietta. The county was created at statehood in 1907 and named for Overton Love, a prominent Chickasaw farmer, entrepreneur and politician.
Lincoln County is a county in eastern Central Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 33,458. Its county seat is Chandler. Lincoln County is part of the Oklahoma City, OK metropolitan statistical area. In 2010, the center of population of Oklahoma was in Lincoln County, near the town of Sparks.
Johnston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,272. Its county seat is Tishomingo. It was established at statehood on November 16, 1907, and named for Douglas H. Johnston, a governor of the Chickasaw Nation.
Dewey County is a county in the western part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,484. Its county seat is Taloga. The county was created in 1891 as "County D". In an 1898 election, county voters chose the name Dewey, honoring Admiral George Dewey.
Cleveland County is a county in the central part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 295,528 at the 2020 United States census, making it the third-most populous county in Oklahoma. Its county seat is Norman. The county was named for U.S. President Grover Cleveland. Cleveland County is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan statistical area.
Atwood is a town in Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 74 at the 2010 census.
Calvin is a town in Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 294 at the 2010 census.
Dustin is a town in Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 327 at the time of the 2020 United States census.
Gerty is a town in southern Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 118 at the 2010 census.
Holdenville is a city in and county seat of Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 5,934 at the time of the 2020 United States census.
Horntown is a town in Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 97 at the 2010 census, up from the figure of 61 recorded in 2000.
Lamar is a town in Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 158 at the 2010 census.
Spaulding is a town in Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. Although it was initially established at the turn of the 20th century, it did not incorporate as a town until 1978. The population was 178 at the 2010 census, up from 62 in 2000, when the town's area was approximately one-third of its 2010 area.
Stuart is a town in southeastern Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 180 at the 2010 census, down from 220 in 2000.
Wetumka is a city in northern Hughes County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,135 as of the 2020 Census. The Muscogee Creek who first settled it after removal in the 1830s named it for their ancestral town of Wetumpka in Alabama. Wetumka is a Muskogee language word meaning "rumbling waters."
Quapaw, officially the Town of Quapaw, is a town in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, United States, which serves as the capital of the Quapaw Nation. Located about 9 miles (14 km) northeast of Miami, it is part of the Joplin, Missouri metropolitan area. Incorporated in 1917, Quapaw's population was 811 in 2020.
Wewoka is a city in Seminole County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 3,271 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Seminole County.
Allen is a town in Hughes and Pontotoc counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 805 at the 2020 census.