Stephens County, Oklahoma

Last updated

Stephens County
County
Patterson Hospital.jpg
Patterson Hospital in Duncan (2014)
Map of Oklahoma highlighting Stephens County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Oklahoma in United States.svg
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°29′N97°52′W / 34.48°N 97.86°W / 34.48; -97.86
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Oklahoma.svg  Oklahoma
Founded1907
Named for John Hall Stephens
Seat Duncan
Largest cityDuncan
Area
 • Total
891 sq mi (2,310 km2)
 • Land870 sq mi (2,300 km2)
 • Water21 sq mi (50 km2)  2.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
42,848
 • Density48/sq mi (19/km2)
Congressional district 4th
Website www.stephenscountyok.com

Stephens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, its population was 42,848. [1] Its county seat is Duncan. [2] The county was created at statehood, partly from the Chickasaw Nation in Indian Territory and partly from Comanche County in Oklahoma Territory. It was named for Texas politician John Hall Stephens. [3]

Contents

Stephens County comprises the Duncan, OK micropolitan statistical area.

History

Stephens County was created at statehood from portions of both Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory. About two-thirds of the area came from Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation, in the Indian Territory, [4] and the western third came from Comanche County, Oklahoma Territory. The town of Duncan was designated as the county seat. County offices were located in rented facilities in Duncan until the first courthouse was built in 1921. That building was replaced by a new facility in 1967. [3]

Drilling for oil and gas began about 1910. The first production well did not come in until 1918. Production support activities soon followed. Erle P. Halliburton founded the Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company in Duncan. [3] The company has since grown into a multinational corporation with headquarters in Dubai and Houston, Texas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 891 square miles (2,310 km2), of which 21 square miles (54 km2) (2.4%) are covered by water. [5] It lies within the Red Bed plains. Although no major river is in the county, some creeks provide drainage. Wildhorse Creek in the eastern part flows into the Washita River. Beaver Creek in the western part of the county flows into the Red River. Lakes in the county include Lake Humphreys, Clear Creek Lake, Duncan Lake, Comanche Lake, and Waurika Lake. [3]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1910 22,252—
1920 24,69211.0%
1930 33,06933.9%
1940 31,090−6.0%
1950 34,0719.6%
1960 37,99011.5%
1970 35,902−5.5%
1980 43,41920.9%
1990 42,299−2.6%
2000 43,1822.1%
2010 45,0484.3%
2020 42,848−4.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [6]
1790-1960 [7] 1900-1990 [8]
1990-2000 [9] 2010 [10]
Age pyramid for Stephens County, Oklahoma, based on census 2000 data. USA Stephens County, Oklahoma age pyramid.svg
Age pyramid for Stephens County, Oklahoma, based on census 2000 data.

As of the census of 2000, 43,182 people, 17,463 households, and 12,590 families wereresiding in the county. [11] The population density was 19/km2 (49/sq mi). There were 19,854 housing units at an average density of 9/km2 (23/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 88.37% White, 2.20% Black or African American, 4.92% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.44% from other races, and 2.74% from two or more races; 3.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. According to the 2020 census, its population was 42,848. [1]

In 2000, there were 17,463 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.91. In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $30,709, and the median income for a family was $36,371. Males had a median income of $30,428 versus $20,055 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,357. About 11.60% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.50% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over. According to 2017-2021 census estimates, its median household income was $53,470 with a poverty rate of 18.9%. [1]

Politics

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 30, 2023 [12]
PartyNumber of VotersPercentage
Democratic 5,85421.71%
Republican 16,99663.04%
Others4,11215.25%
Total26,962100%
United States presidential election results for Stephens County, Oklahoma [13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 15,09281.05%3,23617.38%2921.57%
2020 15,56081.65%3,15416.55%3431.80%
2016 14,18279.21%3,08617.24%6363.55%
2012 12,90876.62%3,93923.38%00.00%
2008 14,39476.03%4,53823.97%00.00%
2004 13,64671.22%5,51528.78%00.00%
2000 10,86062.10%6,46736.98%1610.92%
1996 8,14445.81%7,24840.77%2,38413.41%
1992 7,08534.61%7,64437.34%5,74228.05%
1988 9,84455.32%7,83344.02%1180.66%
1984 12,87166.58%6,35932.89%1030.53%
1980 10,19957.13%7,19140.28%4622.59%
1976 7,09941.71%9,79557.55%1260.74%
1972 10,30971.61%3,62325.17%4643.22%
1968 5,50838.46%5,24936.65%3,56624.90%
1964 5,32336.47%9,27263.53%00.00%
1960 8,08453.95%6,89946.05%00.00%
1956 6,32445.67%7,52454.33%00.00%
1952 6,46144.59%8,02955.41%00.00%
1948 1,90922.17%6,70277.83%00.00%
1944 2,76630.82%6,18968.97%190.21%
1940 2,98932.59%6,14967.04%340.37%
1936 1,63620.27%6,39079.17%450.56%
1932 1,01211.61%7,70688.39%00.00%
1928 5,19262.71%2,98236.02%1051.27%
1924 2,37731.55%4,74562.98%4125.47%
1920 2,03539.16%2,81654.19%3466.66%
1916 60715.00%2,34357.88%1,09827.12%
1912 59818.41%1,73553.42%91528.17%

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated places

See also

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Duncan is a city in and the county seat of Stephens County, Oklahoma, United States. Its population was 22,310 at the 2020 census. Centrally located in Stephens County, Duncan became the county seat after Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907. Oil wells opened in Stephens County in 1918 and led to rapid development. Cotton was a dominant crop until the Dust Bowl brought its decline, but cattle remain an important part of the economy. The Chisholm Trail passed to the east of Duncan prior to the town's founding, which is home to the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Quickfacts: Stephens County, OK". U.S. Census Bureau.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Wilson, Linda D. Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. "Stephens County." Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  4. ↑ Charles Goins, Historical Atlas of Oklahoma (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2006), plate 105.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  8. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  11. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ↑ "Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County" (PDF). OK.gov. January 15, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  13. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 20, 2021.

Further reading

34°29′N97°52′W / 34.48°N 97.86°W / 34.48; -97.86

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