Bethany, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Bethany is a city in Oklahoma County
, Oklahoma
, United States
, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area
. The population was 20,307 at the 2000 census
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 20,307 people, 8,161 households, and 5,280 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,896.7 people per square mile (1,504.9/km²). There were 8,874 housing units at an average density of 1,702.8 per square mile (657.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.79% White, 4.36% African American, 2.87% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.18% from other races
, and 3.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.80% of the population.
There were 8,161 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples
living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,073, and the median income for a family was $43,905. Males had a median income of $30,180 versus $24,747 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,793. About 6.9% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
Mayor Bryan Taylor, at 28 years of age, became the youngest person to serve as Mayor of the City of Bethany.
Bethany Parks and Recreation system includes many small neighborhood parks, and four large parks, Eldon Lyon Park, McFarland Park, Ripper Park, and Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge.
Bethany is represented in the Oklahoma Senate by David Holt (politician)
. It is represented in the Oklahoma House by Sally Kern
and Elise Hall.
is located near the highschool and is a private college in Bethany. Bethany has one other, smaller college: Southwestern Christian University
. Southern Nazarene University (SNU)
is a four-year, private, Christian, liberal arts university. SNU offers adult degree completion and many masters programs including an MBA with evening classes. Southwestern Christian University
is a Holiness–Pentecostal university specializing in Bible and Christian ministries. SWCU offers adult degree completion and master programs.
Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
Oklahoma County is a county located in the central partof the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 718,633 at the 2010 census. The county seat and principal city is Oklahoma City...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area
Oklahoma City metropolitan area
-Metro-area suburbs and exurbs:The following communities are suburbs and exurbs of Oklahoma City with populations of at least 1,000 found within the bounds of State Highway 33 to the north, State Highway 18 and US-177 to the east, State Highway 39 and State Highway 9 to the south, and US-81 to the...
. The population was 20,307 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
Geography
Bethany is located at 35°30′17"N 97°38′20"W (35.504607, -97.638818).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 20,307 people, 8,161 households, and 5,280 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,896.7 people per square mile (1,504.9/km²). There were 8,874 housing units at an average density of 1,702.8 per square mile (657.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.79% White, 4.36% African American, 2.87% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.18% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.80% of the population.
There were 8,161 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,073, and the median income for a family was $43,905. Males had a median income of $30,180 versus $24,747 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,793. About 6.9% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The city operates using a Council/Manager system. The City Council comprises two members elected from each of the four wards. The City Manager,City Attorney, and Municipal Judge are appointed by the City Council. The Mayor is elected at large.Mayor Bryan Taylor, at 28 years of age, became the youngest person to serve as Mayor of the City of Bethany.
Bethany Parks and Recreation system includes many small neighborhood parks, and four large parks, Eldon Lyon Park, McFarland Park, Ripper Park, and Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge.
Bethany is represented in the Oklahoma Senate by David Holt (politician)
David Holt (politician)
David Holt is an American politician who serves as Oklahoma State Senator from the 30th district, which includes portions of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, The Village, Oklahoma, Bethany, Oklahoma, and Warr Acres, Oklahoma.-Personal life:...
. It is represented in the Oklahoma House by Sally Kern
Sally Kern
Sally Kern is an Oklahoma state legislator and former schoolteacher from Oklahoma City known for her outspoken public views against homosexuality. On May 2, 2011, she was publicly reprimanded by the House of Representatives for comments she made the preceding week against minorities and women...
and Elise Hall.
Education
Bethany School District provides educational needs to citizens within its district borders. School for Children on the campus of Calvary Church of the Nazarene, about 1 mile south of Southern Nazarene University, as well as Bethany Earl Harris Elementary are the chief educational providers for elementary-aged students. Primary school goes from pre-K - 5th grade. Bethany Middle School and Western Oaks Junior High School respond to those in 6th to 8th grade. Bethany High School, home of the Bronchos (sic), is the school for grades 9–12. Southern Nazarene UniversitySouthern Nazarene University
Southern Nazarene University is a Christian liberal arts college located in Bethany, Oklahoma, United States.-History:The history of the institution is one of various mergers and, therefore, one of differing institutions. While SNU claims its founding date as 1899, that founding date refers to an...
is located near the highschool and is a private college in Bethany. Bethany has one other, smaller college: Southwestern Christian University
Southwestern Christian University
Southwestern Christian University was founded in 1946 as an educational institution based on the Bible and the first Pentecostal educational institution in the state. As first a Bible college, for the training of Christian church leaders within the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, the...
. Southern Nazarene University (SNU)
Southern Nazarene University
Southern Nazarene University is a Christian liberal arts college located in Bethany, Oklahoma, United States.-History:The history of the institution is one of various mergers and, therefore, one of differing institutions. While SNU claims its founding date as 1899, that founding date refers to an...
is a four-year, private, Christian, liberal arts university. SNU offers adult degree completion and many masters programs including an MBA with evening classes. Southwestern Christian University
Southwestern Christian University
Southwestern Christian University was founded in 1946 as an educational institution based on the Bible and the first Pentecostal educational institution in the state. As first a Bible college, for the training of Christian church leaders within the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, the...
is a Holiness–Pentecostal university specializing in Bible and Christian ministries. SWCU offers adult degree completion and master programs.