Comanche, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Comanche is a city in Stephens County
Stephens County, Oklahoma
Stephens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 43,182. Its county seat is Duncan.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,308 km²...

, 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...

. The population was 1,556 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...

.

History

Comanche is a small city in southwest Oklahoma set in rolling prairie land interspersed with oil fields, ranches, farms, pecan orchards, and timbered areas. Comanche is located in what was once the famous Louisiana Purchase, a part of which was later in 1855 designated Indian Territory, and set aside for the Five Civilized Tribes. Comanche then became part of the Chickasaw Nation and was identified as Comanche, Indian Territory until statehood in 1907. The city has had a series of names. The first settlers lived north of the present site and called the settlement Tucker. With the coming of the Rock Island Railroad in 1892, Indian landowner Johnny D. Wilson gave the city its present site on the railroad, and the Tucker post office was moved here in 1893. Many had wanted to call it Wilson Town, and some called it Border Queen because of the annual large celebrations, carnivals, bands, and Indian activities. Mr. Wilson, however, insisted it be named Comanche because of the Comanche Indians who roamed here. So, Comanche was incorporated November 23, 1898 and began its progress. After the Civil War, large herds of cattle moved up the Chisholm Trail located about two miles (3 km) east of present day Comanche. The cattle were driven from Texas, through Indian Territory to Kansas for shipment east. Parts of this historic trail can still be clearly seen today. Comanche has a colorful history that is still reflected in its lifestyle and activities. A western flavor is felt here, and Comanche is often called the "Rodeo Capital of the World". Certainly, many World Champion Rodeo performers call Comanche home. Race horse, Quarter Horse owners, and farmers add their influence as do oil companies and oil field workers. Authentic Indian customs and tribal observations are still practiced. Artists, educators, and others add still more variety and culture. Truly, it can be said that Comanche's greatest asset is its diversity of talent and people.

Geography

Comanche is located at 34°21′55"N 97°58′7"W (34.365189, -97.968640).

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 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), all land.

Climate



Demographics

As of the census
Census
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 1,556 people, 642 households, and 446 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 340.1 people per square mile (131.5/km²). There were 757 housing units at an average density of 165.5 per square mile (64.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.53% White, 0.06% African American, 8.35% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.64% 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 3.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.74% of the population.

There were 642 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% 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, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,960, and the median income for a family was $28,654. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $17,500 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 $13,612. About 20.1% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.3% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Comanche is served by the Comanche Public School system and the nearby Cameron University branch located in Duncan, OK.

Recreation

Recreation in the Comanche Area is abundant. Waurika Lake, a 10000 acres (40.5 km²) lake, lies eight to ten miles (16 km) southwest of Comanche on well-kept access roads. The lake's large recreational area offers all related activities (camping, swimming, fishing, boating, and hunting) and adds much to the pleasure and economy of Comanche. Comanche Lake, three miles (5 km) east on Hwy. 53, offers the same recreations on a smaller scale and includes electric and water hookups and a disposal station. There are opportunities for fishing, camping, picknicking. Two covered pavilions may be reserved for family reunions or gatherings. A full concession stand is operated by lake caretakers. The Golf Course is located next to the Comanche Lake. This excellent 9-hole golf course is a favorite spot for both local and area golfers. Kinder Park and Jackson Park playgrounds are favorite areas for the little ones.

Government

Comanche has a Council Manager Form of Government. Progress is encouraged by Comanche citizens, officials, and civic groups.

Media

Comanche and its surrounding area is served by the weekly newspaper "The Comanche Times"

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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