Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Pottawatomie County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Oklahoma
. The population was 65,521 as of the 2000 census
. Its county seat
is Shawnee
. Pottawatomie County is part of the Shawnee Micropolitan Statistical Area and the Oklahoma City
–Shawnee Combined Statistical Area
.
, Sac and Fox, Absentee Shawnee, Potawatomi
and Kickapoo tribes.
Non-Indian settlement began on September 22, 1891 when all the tribes except the Kickapoo agreed to land allotment, where communal reservation land was divided and allotted to individual members of the tribes. The remaining land was opened to settlement.
During the land run, Pottawatomie County was organized as County B with Tecumseh
as the county seat. In 1892, the voters of the county elected to name County B as Pottawatomie County after the Potawatomi Indians.
In 1895, the Kickapoo gave up their land rights and their land was given away to white settlers in the last land run in Oklahoma.
In 1930, Shawnee
, now bigger in size than Tecumseh, was approved by the voters to become the new county seat.
, the county has a total area of 2,055 km² (793 mi²). Some 2,040 km² (788 mi²) of it is land and 14 km² (6 mi²) of it (0.70%) is water.
of 2000, there were 65,521 people, 24,540 households, and 17,717 families residing in the county. The population density
was 32/km² (83/mi²). There were 27,302 housing units at an average density of 13/km² (35/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.88% White
, 2.89% Black
or African American
, 11.20% Native American
, 0.60% Asian
, 0.11% Pacific Islander
, 0.65% from other races
, and 4.67% from two or more races. About 2.36% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race, while 19.6% were of American
, 12.2% German
, 11.3% Irish
and 9.0% English
ancestry according to Census 2000. About 96.6% spoke English
and 1.6% Spanish
as their first language.
There were 24,540 households out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples
living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. Around 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,573, and the median income for a family was $38,162. Males had a median income of $31,104 versus $21,460 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,972. About 11.60% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.
† Oklahoma City is mainly in Oklahoma County
, but part of the city limits extends into Pottawatomie County.
, and McClain
counties.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections
operates the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center
in an unincorporated area
in the county, near McLoud
.
:
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...
. The population was 65,521 as of 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...
. 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 Shawnee
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Shawnee is a city in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 29,857 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the Oklahoma City-Shawnee Combined Statistical Area; it is also the county seat of Pottawatomie County and the principal city of the Shawnee Micropolitan Statistical...
. Pottawatomie County is part of the Shawnee Micropolitan Statistical Area and the Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
–Shawnee Combined Statistical Area
Combined Statistical Area
The United States Office of Management and Budget defines micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more counties...
.
History
Pottawatomie County was carved out of land originally given to the Creek and Seminole after their forced removal from Georgia and Florida. After the Civil War, the Creek and Seminole were forced to cede their lands back to the federal government, and the area of Pottawatomie County was used to resettle the IowaIowa tribe
The Iowa , also known as the Báxoje, are a Native American Siouan people. Today they are enrolled in either of two federally recognized tribes, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma and the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska....
, Sac and Fox, Absentee Shawnee, Potawatomi
Potawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
and Kickapoo tribes.
Non-Indian settlement began on September 22, 1891 when all the tribes except the Kickapoo agreed to land allotment, where communal reservation land was divided and allotted to individual members of the tribes. The remaining land was opened to settlement.
During the land run, Pottawatomie County was organized as County B with Tecumseh
Tecumseh, Oklahoma
Tecumseh is a city in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 6,457 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Tecumseh is located at ....
as the county seat. In 1892, the voters of the county elected to name County B as Pottawatomie County after the Potawatomi Indians.
In 1895, the Kickapoo gave up their land rights and their land was given away to white settlers in the last land run in Oklahoma.
In 1930, Shawnee
Shawnee, Oklahoma
Shawnee is a city in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 29,857 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the Oklahoma City-Shawnee Combined Statistical Area; it is also the county seat of Pottawatomie County and the principal city of the Shawnee Micropolitan Statistical...
, now bigger in size than Tecumseh, was approved by the voters to become the new county seat.
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 2,055 km² (793 mi²). Some 2,040 km² (788 mi²) of it is land and 14 km² (6 mi²) of it (0.70%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Lincoln CountyLincoln County, OklahomaLincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population as of 2010 was 34,273. It is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area.Its county seat is Chandler....
(north) - Okfuskee CountyOkfuskee County, OklahomaOkfuskee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 11,814. Its county seat is Okemah.-Geography:...
(northeast) - Seminole CountySeminole County, OklahomaSeminole County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 24,894 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Wewoka. Before Oklahoma's admission as a state, the county was the entire small portion of Indian Territory allocated to the Seminoles. Seminole County has been an...
(east) - Pontotoc CountyPontotoc County, OklahomaPontotoc County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 35,143. Its county seat is Ada.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,879 km²...
(southeast) - McClain CountyMcClain County, OklahomaMcClain County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 27,740 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Purcell. McClain County is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is in the top 3 fastest growing counties in Oklahoma with a growth rate of...
(southwest) - Cleveland CountyCleveland County, OklahomaCleveland County is a county in the central part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 255,755 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is Norman. Cleveland County is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
(west) - 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...
(northwest)
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 65,521 people, 24,540 households, and 17,717 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 32/km² (83/mi²). There were 27,302 housing units at an average density of 13/km² (35/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.88% 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...
, 2.89% 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...
, 11.20% 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...
, 0.60% 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...
, 0.11% 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...
, 0.65% 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 4.67% from two or more races. About 2.36% 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, while 19.6% were of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 12.2% German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 11.3% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 9.0% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
ancestry according to Census 2000. About 96.6% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and 1.6% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as their first language.
There were 24,540 households out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% 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, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. Around 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,573, and the median income for a family was $38,162. Males had a median income of $31,104 versus $21,460 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 $15,972. About 11.60% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- AsherAsher, OklahomaAsher is a town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 393 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Asher is located at , at the intersection of U.S. Highway 177 and State Highway 39 in Pottawatomie County...
- Bellemont
- Bethel AcresBethel Acres, OklahomaBethel Acres is a town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States, and is part of the Oklahoma City Consolidated Metropolitan Area. The population was 2,735 at the 2000 census...
- BrooksvilleBrooksville, OklahomaBrooksville is a town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 90 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Brooksville is located at ....
- EarlsboroEarlsboro, OklahomaEarlsboro is a town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 633 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Earlsboro is located at ....
- JohnsonJohnson, OklahomaJohnson is a town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 223 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Johnson is located at ....
- MacombMacomb, OklahomaMacomb is a town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 32 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Macomb is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- MaudMaud, OklahomaMaud is a city in Pottawatomie and Seminole counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 1,048 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Maud is located at...
- McLoudMcLoud, OklahomaMcLoud is a town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States, and is part of the Oklahoma City Consolidated Metropolitan Area. The population was 4,044 at the 2010 census.-History:...
- Oklahoma CityOklahoma City, OklahomaOklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
† - PinkPink, OklahomaPink is a town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States, and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 1,165 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pink is located at ....
- ShawneeShawnee, OklahomaShawnee is a city in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 29,857 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the Oklahoma City-Shawnee Combined Statistical Area; it is also the county seat of Pottawatomie County and the principal city of the Shawnee Micropolitan Statistical...
- St. Louis
- TecumsehTecumseh, OklahomaTecumseh is a city in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 6,457 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Tecumseh is located at ....
- TribbeyTribbey, OklahomaTribbey is a town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States.The community was named for Alpheus M. Tribbey, landowner. The population was 273 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Tribbey is located at...
- WanetteWanette, OklahomaWanette is a town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 350 at the 2010 census. Wanette is part of the Purcell-Lexington retail trade area, and is within the Greater Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area-Wanette High School:...
† Oklahoma City is mainly in Oklahoma County
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...
, but part of the city limits extends into Pottawatomie County.
Government and infrastructure
The Pioneer Library System operates branch libraries in nine cities in Pottawatomie, ClevelandCleveland County, Oklahoma
Cleveland County is a county in the central part of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 255,755 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is Norman. Cleveland County is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, and McClain
McClain County, Oklahoma
McClain County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The population was 27,740 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Purcell. McClain County is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is in the top 3 fastest growing counties in Oklahoma with a growth rate of...
counties.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections
Oklahoma Department of Corrections
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. DOC is responsible for the administration of the state prison system. It has its headquarters in Oklahoma City, in the former Mabel Bassett Correctional Center building.The Department of Corrections is governed by the...
operates the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center
Mabel Bassett Correctional Center
Mabel Bassett Correctional Center is an Oklahoma Department of Corrections prison for women located in unincorporated Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, near McLoud. The current Bassett facility opened in 1998....
in an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in the county, near McLoud
McLoud, Oklahoma
McLoud is a town in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States, and is part of the Oklahoma City Consolidated Metropolitan Area. The population was 4,044 at the 2010 census.-History:...
.
NRHP Sites
The following sites in Pottawatomie 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...
:
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Harjo, Oklahoma Harjo is a small unincorporated community in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The post office was established June 24, 1921, and discontinued August 31, 1954. The name means "brave beyond discretion" in the Creek language. Nearby is the Rose-Fast site, a prehistoric Indian base camp... |