Cherokee, Oklahoma
Cherokee, Oklahoma | |
|---|---|
 Location within Oklahoma | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Alfalfa |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.5 sq mi (3.8 km2) |
| • Land | 1.5 sq mi (3.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,181 ft (360 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 1,498 |
| • Density | 1,000/sq mi (390/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 73728 |
| Area code | 580 |
| FIPS code | 40-13750 [1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1091235 [2] |
Cherokee is a city and county seat of Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, United States.[3] The population was 1,498 at the 2010 census, a loss of 8.1 percent from 1,630 at the 2000 census.[4]
History
After the land opening of 1893, developers wanted to attract railroads to build through the former Cherokee Outlet to transport the large wheat crops to markets. The Kansas and Oklahoma Construction Company, through its subsidiary, the Cherokee Investment Company, bought 100 acres (40 ha) along its route, platted the town called Cherokee, and held a lot sale on February 9, 1901. Cherokee incorporated in July 1901. Two years later, the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railroad (later owned by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway) built a line through Cherokee. People from the nearby community of Erwin, which already had a post office of that name, moved to Cherokee for access to the railroad. The post office was renamed Cherokee in March, 1903.[5]
Cherokee became the county seat when the state reorganized counties. Once part of Woods County, Alfalfa County was created. The county is named after Alfalfa Bill Murray.[6]
Cherokee is the location of the Cherokee IOOF Lodge No. 219, built in 1931, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[7]
Geography
Cherokee is located at 36°45′15″N 98°21′19″W / 36.75417°N 98.35528°W (36.754163, -98.355283).[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2), all of it land.
Cherokee is located along U.S. Highway 64/State Highway 8.[9]
The Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is located just a few miles southeast of Cherokee. The salt plains are known for the hour-glass selenite crystals.
Climate
| Climate data for Cherokee, Oklahoma | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 47.2 (8.4) |
53.1 (11.7) |
63.5 (17.5) |
74.2 (23.4) |
82.3 (27.9) |
91.9 (33.3) |
97.2 (36.2) |
95.4 (35.2) |
86.6 (30.3) |
76.2 (24.6) |
60.4 (15.8) |
49.4 (9.7) |
73.1 (22.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 21.8 (−5.7) |
26.4 (−3.1) |
35.5 (1.9) |
46.0 (7.8) |
55.6 (13.1) |
65.6 (18.7) |
70.9 (21.6) |
69.0 (20.6) |
60.8 (16.0) |
48.2 (9.0) |
35.4 (1.9) |
25.1 (−3.8) |
46.7 (8.2) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.9 (23) |
1.2 (30) |
2.4 (61) |
2.4 (61) |
3.9 (99) |
3.8 (97) |
2.7 (69) |
3.0 (76) |
3.1 (79) |
1.9 (48) |
1.5 (38) |
1.1 (28) |
27.9 (710) |
| Source 1: weather.com | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Weatherbase.com [10] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 2,016 | — | |
| 1920 | 2,017 | 0.0% | |
| 1930 | 2,236 | 10.9% | |
| 1940 | 2,553 | 14.2% | |
| 1950 | 2,635 | 3.2% | |
| 1960 | 2,410 | −8.5% | |
| 1970 | 2,119 | −12.1% | |
| 1980 | 2,105 | −0.7% | |
| 1990 | 1,787 | −15.1% | |
| 2000 | 1,630 | −8.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,498 | −8.1% | |
| 2014 (est.) | 1,538 | [11] | 2.7% |
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,630 people, 709 households, and 450 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,113.9 people per square mile (431.1/km²). There were 853 housing units at an average density of 582.9 per square mile (225.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.52% White, 0.12% African American, 1.72% Native American, 1.47% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.74% of the population.
There were 709 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 23.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,010, and the median income for a family was $34,934. Males had a median income of $25,263 versus $16,759 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,163. About 10.5% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Cherokee is primarily a farming community. In recent years, the oil/gas industry has boosted employment opportunities.
Education
Cherokee has one high school, which was rebuilt after being heavily damaged by a fire during the 1981-1982 school year. The school mascot is Cherokee Chiefs.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ CensusViewer:Cherokee, Oklahoma Population.
- ^ Everett. Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Clture." "Cherokee." Retrieved October 10, 2013.
- ^ "Origin of County Names in Oklahoma." Chronicles of Oklahoma. Volume 2, Number 1 (March 1924). Retrieved October 10, 2013.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ Official State Map (Map) (2008 ed.). Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
- ^ "Historical Weather for Cherokee, Oklahoma, United States".
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
External links
Municipalities and communities of Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| City |  | |
| Towns | ||
| CDP | ||
| Other unincorporated communities | ||