Kingfisher County, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Kingfisher County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Oklahoma
. As of 2000, the population was 14,384. Its county seat
is Kingfisher
.
tribes traversed the prairie grasslands of this area.
Before the county's creation, The Chisholm Trail's
many routes crossed the area. A stage road which paralleled the trail had important stops at Dover Station
, King Fisher Station
and Baker Station.
The area was given to the Creek Nation by the federal government after their forced removal from Georgia. At the end of the Civil War
, the Creeks were forced to cede the land back to the federal government for siding with the Confederacy. It became part of the Unassigned Lands
, and the area was open to non-Indian settlement on April 22nd, 1889
. After the land run, the town of Kingfisher
quickly formed.
Originally called County 5, Kingfisher County was created with the Organic act of May 2, 1890. After an August 5, 1890 election, the voters of County 5 overwhelmingly voted for the name "Kingfisher" over "Hennesey" and "Harrison"
, the county has a total area of 906 square miles (2,346.5 km²), of which 903 square miles (2,338.8 km²) is land and 3 square miles (7.8 km²) (0.33%) is water.
of 2000, there were 13,926 people, 5,247 households, and 3,893 families residing in the county. The population density
was 15 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 5,879 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.09% White
, 1.59% Black
or African American
, 3.02% Native American
, 0.22% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 4.34% from other races
, and 2.74% from two or more races. 6.90% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 5,247 households out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% were married couples
living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.20% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,676, and the median income for a family was $43,242. Males had a median income of $30,918 versus $19,819 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $18,167. About 8.50% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.30% of those under age 18 and 6.50% of those age 65 or over.
:
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. As of 2000, the population was 14,384. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Kingfisher
Kingfisher, Oklahoma
Kingfisher is a city in and the county seat of Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,380 at the 2000 census. It is the former home and namesake of Kingfisher College.-History:...
.
History
Limited archaeological surveys may have discovered evidence of pre-contact peoples, including Paleo-Indian and Archaic (6000 B.C. - 1 A.D.) groups that used the area for hunting and foraging. The historic Osage, Cheyenne, and ComancheComanche
The Comanche are a Native American ethnic group whose historic range consisted of present-day eastern New Mexico, southern Colorado, northeastern Arizona, southern Kansas, all of Oklahoma, and most of northwest Texas. Historically, the Comanches were hunter-gatherers, with a typical Plains Indian...
tribes traversed the prairie grasslands of this area.
Before the county's creation, The Chisholm Trail's
Chisholm Trail
The Chisholm Trail was a trail used in the late 19th century to drive cattle overland from ranches in Texas to Kansas railheads. The portion of the trail marked by Jesse Chisholm went from his southern trading post near the Red River, to his northern trading post near Kansas City, Kansas...
many routes crossed the area. A stage road which paralleled the trail had important stops at Dover Station
Dover, Oklahoma
Dover is a town in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 367 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dover is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
, King Fisher Station
Kingfisher, Oklahoma
Kingfisher is a city in and the county seat of Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,380 at the 2000 census. It is the former home and namesake of Kingfisher College.-History:...
and Baker Station.
The area was given to the Creek Nation by the federal government after their forced removal from Georgia. At the end of the Civil War
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
, the Creeks were forced to cede the land back to the federal government for siding with the Confederacy. It became part of the Unassigned Lands
Unassigned Lands
Unassigned Lands, or Oklahoma, were in the center of the lands ceded to the United States by the Creek and Seminole Indians following the Civil War and on which no other tribes had been settled...
, and the area was open to non-Indian settlement on April 22nd, 1889
Land Run of 1889
The Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 was the first land run into the Unassigned Lands and included all or part of the 2005 modern day Canadian, Cleveland, Kingfisher, Logan, Oklahoma, and Payne counties of the U.S. state of Oklahoma...
. After the land run, the town of Kingfisher
Kingfisher
Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...
quickly formed.
Originally called County 5, Kingfisher County was created with the Organic act of May 2, 1890. After an August 5, 1890 election, the voters of County 5 overwhelmingly voted for the name "Kingfisher" over "Hennesey" and "Harrison"
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited 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 county has a total area of 906 square miles (2,346.5 km²), of which 903 square miles (2,338.8 km²) is land and 3 square miles (7.8 km²) (0.33%) is water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 81
State Highway 3State Highway 3 (Oklahoma)State Highway 3, also abbreviated as SH-3 or OK-3, is a highway maintained by the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Traveling diagonally through Oklahoma, from the Panhandle to the far southeastern corner of the state, SH-3 is the longest state highway in the Oklahoma road system, at a total length of...
State Highway 33State Highway 33 (Oklahoma)Oklahoma's State Highway 33 is a major highway that traverses most of the state, and at one time traversed the entire state. Its general orientation is west to east. All mileages listed herein are from the western terminus of the highway at the Texas state line.-Roger Mills County:SH-33 begins...
State Highway 51State Highway 51 (Oklahoma)State Highway 51, abbreviated to SH-51 or OK-51, is a major state highway in Oklahoma. It runs for 333 miles east–west across the state, running from the Texas state line to Arkansas. It is the third-longest state highway in the system.-Texas to I-35:SH-51 begins at the Texas line concurrent...
State Highway 132
Adjacent counties
- Garfield CountyGarfield County, OklahomaGarfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma named after President James A. Garfield. As of 2010, the population was 60,580. Enid is the county seat and largest city within Garfield County...
(north) - Logan CountyLogan County, OklahomaLogan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population as of 2009 was 39,301. Its county seat is Guthrie. Logan County is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
(east) - Canadian CountyCanadian County, OklahomaCanadian County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 115,541. Its county seat is El Reno. Canadian County is also part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area. Canadian County is named for the Canadian River.-Geography:According to the U.S...
(south) - Blaine CountyBlaine County, OklahomaBlaine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population is 11,976. Its county seat is Watonga. Blaine County is the birthplace of voice actor Clarence Nash, the voice of Donald Duck....
(west) - Major CountyMajor County, OklahomaMajor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 7,545. Its county seat is Fairview. Located in northwestern Oklahoma. Major County is bounded by Woods and Alfalfa counties in the north, Garfield County on the east, Kingfisher, Blaine and Dewey on...
(northwest) - Oklahoma CountyOklahoma County, OklahomaOklahoma 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...
(extreme southeast)
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 13,926 people, 5,247 households, and 3,893 families residing in the county. 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 15 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 5,879 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.09% White
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...
, 1.59% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 3.02% Native American
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...
, 0.22% Asian
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...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
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...
, 4.34% 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 2.74% from two or more races. 6.90% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race.
There were 5,247 households out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% 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, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.20% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,676, and the median income for a family was $43,242. Males had a median income of $30,918 versus $19,819 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 county was $18,167. About 8.50% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.30% of those under age 18 and 6.50% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
|
Loyal, Oklahoma Loyal is a town in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 81 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Loyal is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.... Okarche, Oklahoma Okarche is a town in Canadian and Kingfisher counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, and a part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 1,110 at the 2000 census.-History:... Piedmont, Oklahoma Piedmont is a city in Canadian and Kingfisher counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, and it is a part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 3,650 at the 2000 census... |
NRHP sites
The following sites in Kingfisher County are listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
:
- Burrus Mills Elevator C, Kingfisher
- Dow Grain Company Elevator, Okarche
- Farmers and Merchants National Bank, Hennessey
- Farmers Co-op Elevator, Hennessey
- Kiel-Dover Farmers Elevator, Dover
- Kingfisher Armory, Kingfisher
- Kingfisher CollegeKingfisher College-Bringing a College to Kingfisher:Founded by the Rev. Joseph Homer Parker, a Congregationalist Minister who had founded many Congregationalist churches in Canada and the Northeast U.S., and who had also founded the predecessor institution to Wichita State University...
, Kingfisher - Kingfisher Post OfficeKingfisher Post OfficeThe Kingfisher Post Office, also known as The Old Post Office, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma was built in 1912. It was designed and/or built by Dieter & Wenzil Co.. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978....
, Kingfisher - Seay Mansion, Kingfisher