Love County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 33°57′N97°15′W / 33.95°N 97.25°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Oklahoma |
Founded | 1907 |
Named for | Overton Love, a judge of the Chickasaw Nation |
Seat | Marietta |
Largest city | Marietta |
Area | |
• Total | 532 sq mi (1,380 km2) |
• Land | 514 sq mi (1,330 km2) |
• Water | 18 sq mi (50 km2) 3.5% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 10,146 |
• Density | 19/sq mi (7.4/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 4th |
Website | love |
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. [1] Its county seat is Marietta. [2] The county was created at statehood in 1907 and named for Overton Love, a prominent Chickasaw farmer, entrepreneur and politician. [3]
For tourism purposes, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism includes Love County in 'Chickasaw Country'. Love County is also part of the Texoma region.
The Louisiana Purchase, effected in 1803, included all of the present state of Oklahoma except the Panhandle. Explorers and traders began travelling extensively through the area, intending to find trade routes to Santa Fe. The Quapaw were the principal Native Americans living south of the Canadian River. The Quapaws ceded their land to the American government in 1818, and were replaced by the Choctaws in the early 1830s. The Chickasaws were assigned land in the middle of Choctaw territory during 1837–8. [3]
Overton Love was one of the earliest Chickasaws who settled in present-day Love County. He was twenty years old when he arrived in Indian Territory from Mississippi in 1843. His settlement became known as Love's Valley (about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of the present town of Marietta). He later became one of the largest Chickasaw landowners and cattle raisers in the area, working 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) of Red River Bottomland. Eventually, he became a member of both houses of the Chickasaw National Council, a county and district judge, and a member of the Dawes Commission. [3]
Prior to statehood, the area now known as Love County was part of Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory. It had three incorporated towns: Marietta (the county seat, founded in 1887), Leon (established 1883) and Thackerville (established 1882). It also contained two unincorporated postal areas: Burneyville (post office established 1879) and Overbrook (post office established 1887). [3] The settlement of Courtney at the mouth of Mud Creek was settled ca. 1872 by Henry D. Courtney.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 532 square miles (1,380 km2), of which 514 square miles (1,330 km2) is land and 18 square miles (47 km2) (3.5%) is water. [4] It is the fifth-smallest county in Oklahoma by land area.
Love County is within the Red River Plains physiographic region, with a rolling to hilly topography. The Red River and its tributaries Simon Creek, Walnut Bayou, Hickory Creek and Mud Creek drain the county. Lake Murray is on the northeastern border and Lake Texoma is on the southern border. [3]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1910 | 10,236 | — | |
1920 | 12,433 | 21.5% | |
1930 | 9,639 | −22.5% | |
1940 | 11,433 | 18.6% | |
1950 | 7,721 | −32.5% | |
1960 | 5,862 | −24.1% | |
1970 | 5,637 | −3.8% | |
1980 | 7,469 | 32.5% | |
1990 | 8,157 | 9.2% | |
2000 | 8,831 | 8.3% | |
2010 | 9,423 | 6.7% | |
2020 | 10,146 | 7.7% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [5] 1790-1960 [6] 1900-1990 [7] 1990-2000 [8] 2010 [9] |
As of the census [10] of 2000, there were 8,831 people, 3,442 households, and 2,557 families residing in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile (6.6 people/km2). There were 4,066 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.15% White, 2.19% Black or African American, 6.41% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.58% from other races, and 3.41% from two or more races. 7.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,442 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.40% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.
The county's median household income was $32,558, and the median family income was $38,212. Males had a median income of $30,024 versus $20,578 for females. The county's per capita income was $16,648. About 8.80% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.40% of those under age 18 and 13.80% of those age 65 or over.
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of January 15, 2023 [11] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Number of Voters | Percentage | |||
Democratic | 2,063 | 33.20% | |||
Republican | 3,007 | 48.39% | |||
Others | 1,111 | 17.88% | |||
Total | 6,214 | 100% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 3,510 | 82.39% | 689 | 16.17% | 61 | 1.43% |
2020 | 3,305 | 81.08% | 711 | 17.44% | 60 | 1.47% |
2016 | 2,922 | 77.12% | 735 | 19.40% | 132 | 3.48% |
2012 | 2,436 | 70.20% | 1,034 | 29.80% | 0 | 0.00% |
2008 | 2,589 | 67.32% | 1,257 | 32.68% | 0 | 0.00% |
2004 | 2,295 | 59.87% | 1,538 | 40.13% | 0 | 0.00% |
2000 | 1,807 | 53.59% | 1,530 | 45.37% | 35 | 1.04% |
1996 | 1,224 | 37.05% | 1,675 | 50.70% | 405 | 12.26% |
1992 | 922 | 25.06% | 1,708 | 46.43% | 1,049 | 28.51% |
1988 | 1,361 | 41.66% | 1,889 | 57.82% | 17 | 0.52% |
1984 | 1,833 | 57.12% | 1,359 | 42.35% | 17 | 0.53% |
1980 | 1,449 | 47.12% | 1,578 | 51.32% | 48 | 1.56% |
1976 | 846 | 30.45% | 1,923 | 69.22% | 9 | 0.32% |
1972 | 1,407 | 66.75% | 671 | 31.83% | 30 | 1.42% |
1968 | 677 | 28.52% | 931 | 39.22% | 766 | 32.27% |
1964 | 663 | 26.25% | 1,863 | 73.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 932 | 39.24% | 1,443 | 60.76% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 731 | 29.39% | 1,756 | 70.61% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 806 | 29.01% | 1,972 | 70.99% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 249 | 10.20% | 2,191 | 89.80% | 0 | 0.00% |
1944 | 446 | 18.54% | 1,955 | 81.29% | 4 | 0.17% |
1940 | 687 | 21.58% | 2,485 | 78.07% | 11 | 0.35% |
1936 | 440 | 16.38% | 2,227 | 82.88% | 20 | 0.74% |
1932 | 187 | 7.16% | 2,426 | 92.84% | 0 | 0.00% |
1928 | 843 | 39.93% | 1,268 | 60.07% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 479 | 17.56% | 1,713 | 62.79% | 536 | 19.65% |
1920 | 711 | 28.16% | 1,662 | 65.82% | 152 | 6.02% |
1916 | 266 | 15.15% | 1,125 | 64.07% | 365 | 20.79% |
1912 | 199 | 14.65% | 750 | 55.23% | 409 | 30.12% |
Love County is home to Winstar World Casino, across the Red River from the Texas-Oklahoma border. The casino is operated by the Chickasaw Nation, and is the county's largest private employer. Agriculture and ranching have been important to the county economy since its inception. Leading non-agricultural employers include the Marietta Bakery, Murray Biscuit Company, Marietta Sportswear, Robertson Hams, Rapistan Systems, Earth Energy Systems, and the Joe Brown Company. The county also produces natural gas and its co-products propane and butanes. [3]
The following school districts are in Love County:
Public-use airports in Love County:
73448 73463 73456 73430 73453 73441
Murray County is a county located in the southern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,904. The county seat is Sulphur. The county was named for William H. Murray, a member and president of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention and later a Governor of Oklahoma.
McClain County is a county located in south central Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 41,662. Its county seat is Purcell. The county was named for Charles M. McClain, an Oklahoma constitutional convention attendee.
Marshall County is a county located on the south-central border of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,312. Its county seat is Madill. The county was created at statehood in 1907 from the former Pickens County of the Chickasaw Nation. It was named to honor the maiden name of the mother of George Henshaw, a member of the 1906 Oklahoma Constitutional Convention. The county and its cities are part of the Texoma region.
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.
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,337. Its county seat is Waurika. The county was created at statehood and named in honor of President Thomas Jefferson.
Grady County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 54,795. Its county seat is Chickasha. It was named for Henry W. Grady, an editor of the Atlanta Constitution and southern orator.
Garvin County is a county in south-central Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,656. Its county seat is Pauls Valley. In 1906, delegates to Constitution Convention formed Garvin County from part of the Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory. The county was named for Samuel J. Garvin, a local Chickasaw rancher, merchant and banker. Its economy is largely based on farming, ranching and oil production.
Creek County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 71,754. Its county seat is Sapulpa.
Carter County is a county in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 48,003. Its county seat is Ardmore. The county was named for Captain Ben W. Carter, a Cherokee who lived among the Chickasaw. Carter County is part of the Ardmore Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is also a part of the Texoma region.
Bryan County is a county in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,067. Its county seat is Durant. It is the only county in the United States named for Democratic politician William Jennings Bryan.
Kenefic is a town in Bryan County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 196 at the 2010 census, a 2 percent increase from the total of 192 recorded in 2000. The town was named for William Kenefick, president of the Missouri, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad (MO&G), which had constructed a rail line through the region. The town name has been spelled both Kenefic and Kenefick throughout its history.
Healdton is a city in Carter County, Oklahoma, United States. Its population was 2,788 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ardmore micropolitan statistical area.
Tishomingo is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Johnston County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 3,101 as of the 2020 Census, an increase of 2.2% over the population of 3,034 reported at the 2010 census. It was the first capital of the Chickasaw Nation, from 1856 until Oklahoma statehood in 1907. The city is home to Murray State College, a community college with an annual enrollment of 3,015 students. Tishomingo is part of the Texoma region.
Leon is a town in Love County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 91 at the 2010 census.
Marietta is a city and county seat in Love County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,719 as of the 2020 Census, a 3.5% increase over the 2,626 reported at the 2010 census, which itself was a 7.4 percent increase from the figure of 2,445 in 2000. Marietta is part of the Ardmore, Oklahoma, Micropolitan Statistical Area. For tourism purposes, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism includes it in 'Chickasaw Country'. It is also a part of the Texoma region.
Thackerville is a town in Love County, Oklahoma, United States. It is located near the Texas state border. The population was 400 at the 2020 census.
Madill is a city in and the county seat of Marshall County, Oklahoma, United States. It was named in honor of George Alexander Madill, an attorney for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway. The population was 3,914 as of the 2020 Census, up 3.8% from the figure reported in the 2010 census of 3,770, which itself was an increase of 10.8 percent from the 3,410 reported at the 2000 census. It is best known as the site of the annual National Sand Bass Festival. It is part of the Texoma region.
Burneyville is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Love County, Oklahoma, United States. The post office was established May 5, 1879. It was named for David C. Burney, father of Benjamin Crooks Burney, who had been Governor of the Chickasaw Nation from 1878 through 1880.
The Ardmore Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of one county in South Central Oklahoma, anchored by the city of Ardmore.