Woodward County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 36°25′N99°16′W / 36.42°N 99.26°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Oklahoma |
Founded | 1876 |
Seat | Woodward |
Largest city | Woodward |
Area | |
• Total | 1,246 sq mi (3,230 km2) |
• Land | 1,242 sq mi (3,220 km2) |
• Water | 3.7 sq mi (10 km2) 0.3%% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 20,470 |
• Density | 16/sq mi (6.3/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 3rd |
Website | woodwardcounty |
Woodward County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,470. [1] Its county seat is Woodward. [2]
Woodward County comprises the Woodward, OK micropolitan statistical area.
Woodward County was originally known as "N" County and was composed of present-day Woodward County and portions of Harper, Ellis, and Woods County. Before its division at statehood, Woodward County, then 60 miles square, was the westernmost county of the Cherokee Outlet and adjoined Texas and the Oklahoma Panhandle on the west and Kansas on the north. Political pressure applied by William H. Murray during Oklahoma's Constitutional Convention resulted in the reduction of the size of Woodward County to its present boundaries. It is unknown exactly whom the county (and the town) is named after, but the two leading candidates are Brinton W. Woodward, a Santa Fe railway director, [3] or Richard Woodward, a buffalo hunter.
In the 19th century, the county was part of a well-used military transportation corridor that was important to frontier defense. [4] In 1868, Camp Supply, was established as a depot leading up to a campaign against the Cheyenne. [4] From 1876 through the 1880s massive herds of cattle passed through the southwestern corner of the county along the Great Western Trail from Texas to Kansas. [4]
The Southern Kansas Railway, later acquired by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a line southwest from Kiowa, Kansas, through the region and into Texas during 1886–1887. It began the town of Woodward where the railroad crossed the military road. The Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway, controlled by the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, constructed a north–south line from Elk City through Sharon, Woodward, and the town of Fort Supply to Forgan, in Beaver County, in 1911–12. [4]
In September 1893, when the Cherokee Outlet opened for non-Indian settlement, Woodward County was created as County N in Oklahoma Territory, though its area was much larger than at present. In a November 6, 1894, election, the county was renamed Woodward County. Statehood in 1907 redrew the boundaries of the county, while the remainder was given to the present Harper, Ellis and Woods counties. [4]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,246 square miles (3,230 km2), of which 1,242 square miles (3,220 km2) is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6 km2) (0.3%) is water. [5] The Cimarron River forms part of the northern boundary and drains the northwestern section of the county. The North Canadian River flows through the county from the northwest to the southeast. The southern part of the county drains into the Canadian River. Fort Supply Lake, on Wolf Creek, lies in Woodward County. [4]
The county is part of the Osage Plains and lies within the Western Red Prairies physiographic region and Gypsum Hills subregion. There are gypsum hills in the eastern and northwestern parts of the county. Protected areas in the county are Alabaster Caverns State Park and Boiling Springs State Park. [4]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1910 | 16,592 | — | |
1920 | 14,663 | −11.6% | |
1930 | 15,844 | 8.1% | |
1940 | 16,270 | 2.7% | |
1950 | 14,383 | −11.6% | |
1960 | 13,902 | −3.3% | |
1970 | 15,537 | 11.8% | |
1980 | 21,172 | 36.3% | |
1990 | 18,976 | −10.4% | |
2000 | 18,486 | −2.6% | |
2010 | 20,081 | 8.6% | |
2020 | 20,470 | 1.9% | |
2021 (est.) | 20,205 | −1.3% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [6] 1790-1960 [7] 1900-1990 [8] 1990-2000 [9] 2010 [10] |
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 20,081 people and 5,106 families residing in the county. The population density was 16.1 people per square mile (6.2/km2). There were 8,838 housing units at an average density of 7.1 per square mile (2.7/km2). [11] The racial makeup of the county was 86.7% white, 1.6% black or African American, 2.8% Native American, 0.6% Asian, less than 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. 10.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. As of 2020, its population was 20,470. [10]
In 2010, there were 7,654 households in the county, out of which 2,322 (30.3%) included children under the age of 18, 4,132 (54%) were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32% were non-families. Individuals living alone accounted for 28% of households. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3. In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 79 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $51,087, and the median income for a family was $60,684. Males had a median income of $48,228 versus $26,993 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,735. About 6.5% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of January 15, 2019 [12] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Number of Voters | Percentage | |||
Democratic | 2,320 | 21.21% | |||
Republican | 6,924 | 63.29% | |||
Others | 1,696 | 15.51% | |||
Total | 10,940 | 100% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 6,611 | 84.92% | 1,005 | 12.91% | 169 | 2.17% |
2016 | 6,347 | 83.57% | 873 | 11.49% | 375 | 4.94% |
2012 | 5,945 | 83.99% | 1,133 | 16.01% | 0 | 0.00% |
2008 | 6,404 | 82.59% | 1,350 | 17.41% | 0 | 0.00% |
2004 | 6,193 | 80.94% | 1,458 | 19.06% | 0 | 0.00% |
2000 | 5,067 | 71.37% | 1,950 | 27.46% | 83 | 1.17% |
1996 | 4,093 | 54.59% | 2,403 | 32.05% | 1,002 | 13.36% |
1992 | 4,006 | 46.99% | 2,063 | 24.20% | 2,457 | 28.82% |
1988 | 4,996 | 66.68% | 2,408 | 32.14% | 89 | 1.19% |
1984 | 6,376 | 79.08% | 1,647 | 20.43% | 40 | 0.50% |
1980 | 5,318 | 72.96% | 1,703 | 23.36% | 268 | 3.68% |
1976 | 3,782 | 56.52% | 2,807 | 41.95% | 102 | 1.52% |
1972 | 5,350 | 80.05% | 1,104 | 16.52% | 229 | 3.43% |
1968 | 3,748 | 64.01% | 1,444 | 24.66% | 663 | 11.32% |
1964 | 3,094 | 51.33% | 2,934 | 48.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 4,185 | 73.78% | 1,487 | 26.22% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 3,405 | 67.79% | 1,618 | 32.21% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 4,463 | 72.53% | 1,690 | 27.47% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 2,391 | 52.31% | 2,180 | 47.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
1944 | 3,055 | 58.47% | 2,152 | 41.19% | 18 | 0.34% |
1940 | 3,403 | 54.51% | 2,806 | 44.95% | 34 | 0.54% |
1936 | 2,430 | 41.67% | 3,361 | 57.64% | 40 | 0.69% |
1932 | 1,614 | 28.81% | 3,988 | 71.19% | 0 | 0.00% |
1928 | 3,188 | 69.06% | 1,347 | 29.18% | 81 | 1.75% |
1924 | 1,831 | 45.64% | 1,418 | 35.34% | 763 | 19.02% |
1920 | 2,492 | 59.07% | 1,437 | 34.06% | 290 | 6.87% |
1916 | 1,092 | 37.35% | 1,130 | 38.65% | 702 | 24.01% |
1912 | 1,403 | 45.57% | 1,083 | 35.17% | 593 | 19.26% |
In 2015, surveys identified Woodward County as one of the most climate science doubting counties in the United States. [14]
Agriculture and cattle production have been very important to the county income since before statehood. Grains, especially wheat, were the largest crop. However, broomcorn grew abundantly. Broom factories operated in Woodward and Mooreland. Castor beans, grown during World War I, were processed into castor oil, which was used as a lubricant for aircraft engines. [4]
Extractive industries became relatively more important during the 1920s, while agriculture began to decline. Mineral production included salt, bentonite and petroleum. Natural gas production began in 1956. In 1975, a plant was built near Woodward to extract iodine from oil field brine. It soon supplied 14% of the nation's supply of the chemical. [4]
Wodward county has the following site on the National Register of Historic Places
Woods County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,624. Its county seat is Alva. The county is named after Samuel Newitt Wood, a renowned Kansas populist.
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.
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.
Le Flore County is a county along the eastern border of the U.S state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 48,129. Its county seat is Poteau. The county is part of the Fort Smith metropolitan area and the name honors a Choctaw family named LeFlore. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma is the federal district court with jurisdiction in LeFlore County.
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.
Harper County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,272, making it the third-least populous county in Oklahoma. The county seat is Buffalo. It was created in 1907 from the northwestern part of Woodward County, and named for Oscar Green Harper, who was clerk of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention.
Grant County is a county located on the northern border of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,169. Its county seat is Medford. Originally designated as part of the Cherokee Outlet, it was named County L in Oklahoma Territory at the time of its opening to non-Indian settlement. A county election renamed it for U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant.
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.
Ellis County is a county located on the western border of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,749, making it the fifth-least populous county in Oklahoma. Its county seat is Arnett.
Craig County is a county in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,107. Its county seat is Vinita. The county was organized in 1907, shortly before statehood, and named for Granville Craig, a prominent Cherokee farmer who lived in the Bluejacket area.
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.
Beaver County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,049. The county seat is Beaver. The name was given because of the presence of many beaver dams on the Beaver River, which runs through the area. It is located in the Oklahoma Panhandle.
Amorita is a town in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 37 at the time of the 2010 census.
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Tishomingo is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Johnston County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 3,034 at the 2010 census, a decline of 4.1 percent from the figure of 3,162 in 2000. 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.
Poteau is a city in, and county seat of, Le Flore County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 8,520 as of the 2010 census.
Vian is a town in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, United States, adjacent to Interstate 40 at the intersection of U.S. Route 64 and Oklahoma State Highway 82. The population was 1,374 at the 2020 census, a 6.3 percent decline from the figure of 1,466 recorded in 2010. It is part of the Fort Smith Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Fort Supply is a town in Woodward County, Oklahoma, United States, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) northwest of the city of Woodward, the county seat. The population was 330 at the 2010 census.
Mooreland is a town in Woodward County, Oklahoma, United States, 10 miles (16 km) east of the city of Woodward, the county seat. The population was 1,190 at the 2010 census. Mooreland lies in a valley approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) north of the North Canadian River. This area of shallow-water land lies at an altitude of 1,900 feet (580 m).