Rogers County, Oklahoma

Rogers County
County
Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°18′38.35″N95°37′1.48″W / 36.3106528°N 95.6170778°W / 36.3106528; -95.6170778
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
Founded	January 26, 1907
Named for	Clement Vann Rogers
Seat	Claremore
Largest city	Claremore
Other cities	Catoosa, Collinsville, Owasso, Tulsa
Government
• Chairman	Steve Hendrix
Area
• Total	711 sq mi (1,840 km2)
• Land	676 sq mi (1,750 km2)
• Water	36 sq mi (90 km2)  5.0%
Population  (2020) [1]
• Total	95,240
• Estimate  (2023) [2]	100,248
• Density	130/sq mi (52/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes	74015, 74016, 74017, 74018, 74019, 74031, 74036, 74053, 74080
Area code	539, 918
Congressional districts	1st, 2nd
Website	www.rogerscounty.org

Rogers County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 95,240, ^[1] making it the sixth-most populous county in Oklahoma. The county seat is Claremore. ^[3] Rogers County is included in the Tulsa, OK metropolitan statistical area.

Created in 1907 from the western Saline District of the Cherokee Nation, this area was named the Cooweescoowee District, and Cooweescoowee County at the time of statehood. However, the residents protested, and the name was changed to Rogers County, after Clem Vann Rogers, a prominent Cherokee rancher, and father of Will Rogers. ^{[4] [5]}

History

View of Claremore's skyline

According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture , the Arkansas Band of the Osage Nation settled in the Three Forks area (the junction of the Arkansas River, Grand River, and Verdigris River during the 1760s and established two villages called Pasuga and Pasona in what is now Rogers County. Pasona was near an ancient earthwork platform mound near the Verdigris River. It was later called Claremore Mound, to honor Osage chief Claremore (aka Gra-mon in Osage, meaning Arrow Going Home; his name was first recorded by French colonists as Clermont.) ^[4]

In 1828, Cherokee bands who had left the Southeast early exchanged their Arkansas land for an area that included present-day Rogers County. This had been ceded by the Osage in 1825 under a treaty to the United States. ^[4] The area became organized by the Cherokee Nation as the Saline District of their portion of Indian Territory. In 1907 the western portion of that district was organized as the Cooweescoowee District. ^[4]

Upon statehood in 1908, the district was designated as a county named Cooweescoowee. Residents supported renaming the county in honor of Clement Vann Rogers, an early Cherokee settler and prominent rancher here. ^[4]

Shortly after statehood, Eastern University Preparatory School was established on College Hill, just west of Claremore, Oklahoma. ^[6] The Oklahoma Military Academy, established in 1919, took over the facility. ^[6] In 1971 the academy was closed and the facility was converted for use by Claremore Junior College. ^[6] As a four-year curriculum and graduate departments were added, the state legislature renamed the institution as Rogers State College and Rogers University, before settling in 1998 on the current Rogers State University. ^[6]

Geography

Claremore Lake

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 711 square miles (1,840 km²), of which 676 square miles (1,750 km²) is land and 36 square miles (93 km²) (5.0%) is water. ^[7] The largest body of water is Lake Oologah. The main streams are the Caney River and the Verdigris River. There are also several smaller creeks and lakes in the county. ^[4]

Adjacent counties

• Nowata County (north)
• Craig County (northeast)
• Mayes County (east)
• Wagoner County (south)
• Tulsa County (southwest)
• Washington County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	17,736		—
1920	17,605		−0.7%
1930	18,956		7.7%
1940	21,078		11.2%
1950	19,532		−7.3%
1960	20,614		5.5%
1970	28,425		37.9%
1980	46,436		63.4%
1990	55,170		18.8%
2000	70,641		28.0%
2010	86,905		23.0%
2020	95,240		9.6%
2023 (est.)	100,248	[8]	5.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [9] 1790–1960 [10] 1900–1990 [11] 1990–2000 [12] 2010–2019 [1]

As of the census of 2010, there were 86,905 people, 31,884 households, and 24,088 families residing in the county. ^[13] The population density was 105 inhabitants per square mile (41 inhabitants/km²). There were 27,476 housing units at an average density of 41 units per square mile (16/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 75.3% White, 1.0% Black or African American, 13.1% Native American, 1.1% Asian (0.5% Hmong, 0.1% Filipino, 0.1% Indian), ^[14] 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.4% from other races, and 8.1% from two or more races. Of the population 3.7% were Hispanic or Latino of any race (2.7% Mexican, 0.3% Puerto Rican, 0.2% Spanish, 0.1% Peruvian). ^{[15] [16] [17]} 18.1% were of German, 13.8% Irish, 8.7% English, 3.0% French, 2.5% Scottish, and 2.2% Italian ancestries. ^[18] By 2020, its population was 92,240, with a 2022 census-estimated population of 98,836. As of 2021's census estimates, its racial makeup was 70.1% non-Hispanic white, 1.3% African American, 13.9% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 8.7% multiracial, and 5.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race. ^[1]

Of its population as of 2006, 96.7% spoke English, 1.7% Spanish, and 0.4% German as their first language. ^[19]

As of 2010, there were 31,884 households, out of which 38.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.60% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.90% were non-families. Of all households, 19.00% were made up of individuals, and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.10. In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.70% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males. From 2017 to 2021, it had 34,465 households with an average of 2.71 people per household. ^[1]

As of 2010, its median income for a household in the county was $58,434 and the median income for a family was $67,691. The per capita income for the county was $26,400. About 7.2% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.3% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those aged 65 or over. ^{[15] [20] [21]} In 2021, its median household income was $69,322 and 9.7% lived at or below the poverty line. ^[1]

Politics

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 30, 2023 [22]
Party		Number of Voters	Percentage
	Republican	39,220	63.76%
	Democratic	12,293	19.98%
	Libertarian	527	0.86%
	Unaffiliated	9,473	15.40%
Total		61,513	100%

United States presidential election results for Rogers County, Oklahoma ^[23]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	35,942	76.63%	10,146	21.63%	814	1.74%
2020	34,031	76.38%	9,589	21.52%	933	2.09%
2016	30,913	75.65%	7,902	19.34%	2,047	5.01%
2012	27,553	75.07%	9,148	24.93%	0	0.00%
2008	27,743	72.03%	10,772	27.97%	0	0.00%
2004	24,976	67.70%	11,918	32.30%	0	0.00%
2000	17,713	61.18%	10,813	37.35%	425	1.47%
1996	12,883	50.41%	9,544	37.35%	3,127	12.24%
1992	12,455	44.65%	8,257	29.60%	7,180	25.74%
1988	12,940	59.22%	8,771	40.14%	140	0.64%
1984	16,137	72.40%	6,013	26.98%	138	0.62%
1980	11,581	62.12%	6,399	34.33%	662	3.55%
1976	7,318	49.40%	7,368	49.73%	129	0.87%
1972	9,697	76.19%	2,607	20.48%	424	3.33%
1968	4,631	44.37%	2,665	25.53%	3,141	30.09%
1964	4,202	43.54%	5,449	56.46%	0	0.00%
1960	5,412	63.08%	3,167	36.92%	0	0.00%
1956	4,487	58.49%	3,185	41.51%	0	0.00%
1952	4,873	55.99%	3,830	44.01%	0	0.00%
1948	2,849	40.43%	4,197	59.57%	0	0.00%
1944	3,739	53.75%	3,209	46.13%	8	0.12%
1940	4,086	50.20%	4,028	49.49%	25	0.31%
1936	3,119	41.86%	4,290	57.58%	42	0.56%
1932	1,879	26.00%	5,347	74.00%	0	0.00%
1928	3,477	61.38%	2,147	37.90%	41	0.72%
1924	2,207	41.29%	2,901	54.28%	237	4.43%
1920	2,844	51.53%	2,459	44.56%	216	3.91%
1916	1,435	36.98%	1,900	48.96%	546	14.07%
1912	1,258	37.66%	1,637	49.01%	445	13.32%

Communities

Cities

• Catoosa
• Claremore (county seat)
• Collinsville (primarily in Tulsa County)
• Owasso (primarily in Tulsa County)
• Tulsa (primarily in Tulsa County)

Towns

• Chelsea
• Fair Oaks (primarily in Wagoner County)
• Foyil
• Inola
• Oologah
• Talala
• Valley Park
• Verdigris

Census-designated places

• Bushyhead
• Gregory
• Justice
• Limestone
• Sequoyah
• Tiawah

Unincorporated communities

• Jamestown
• Keetonville

Education

School districts include: ^[24]

K-12:

• Catoosa Public Schools
• Chelsea Public Schools
• Chouteau-Mazie Public Schools
• Claremore Public Schools
• Collinsville Public Schools
• Foyil Public Schools
• Inola Public Schools
• Oologah-Talala Public Schools
• Owasso Public Schools
• Sequoyah Public Schools
• Verdigris Public Schools

K-8:

• Justus-Tiawah Public Schools

The Big Cabin School District covered parts of the county until its 1992 dissolution. It merged into the Vinita school district. ^[25]

NRHP sites

Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Rogers County, Oklahoma

The following sites in Rogers County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

• I.W.W. Beck Building, Oologah
• The Belvidere, Claremore
• Chelsea Motel, Chelsea
• Claremore Auto Dealership, Claremore
• Eastern University Preparatory School, Claremore
• Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park, Foyil
• Hanes Home, Sageeyah
• Hogue House, Chelsea
• Mendenhall's Bath House, Claremore
• Maurice Meyer Barracks, Claremore
• Oologah Bank, Oologah
• Oologah Pump, Oologah
• Pryor Creek Bridge, Chelsea
• Will Rogers Birthplace, Oologah
• Will Rogers Hotel, Claremore
• Verdigris Club Lodge, Catoosa

References

1. "QuickFacts Rogers County, Oklahoma". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
2. "QuickFacts : Rogers County, Oklahoma". Census.gov . Retrieved October 2, 2024.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. Thomas, Sarah C. "Rogers County," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 5, 2015.
5. "Oklahoma: Individual County Chronologies". Oklahoma Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
6. Paul B. Hatley, "Rogers State University", Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 5, 2015.
7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
8. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
11. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. Bureau, U.S. Census. "American FactFinder - Results". factfinder2.census.gov. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
15. "Rogers County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau". quickfacts.census.gov. Archived from the original on May 15, 2001. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
16. Bureau, U.S. Census. "American FactFinder - Results". factfinder2.census.gov. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
17. Bureau, U.S. Census. "American FactFinder - Results". factfinder2.census.gov.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
18. Bureau, U.S. Census. "American FactFinder - Results". factfinder2.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
19. "Data Center Results". Archived from the original on June 19, 2006. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
20. Bureau, U.S. Census. "American FactFinder - Results". factfinder2.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 13, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2020.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
21. Bureau, U.S. Census. "American FactFinder - Results". factfinder2.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
22. "Current Registration Statistics by County" (PDF). ok.gov. September 30, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
23. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
24. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Rogers County, OK" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022. - Text list
25. "Merger of Schools OK'd". The Oklahoman . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. May 7, 1992. Retrieved October 12, 2024.

External links

• Rogers County Government's website
• Rogers County Genealogy page
• Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory
• Voices of Oklahoma interview with Frank Robson. First person interview conducted on November 2, 2009, with Frank Robson referencing the history of Rogers County, Oklahoma. Original audio and transcript archived with Voices of Oklahoma oral history project.