Perry, Oklahoma

Perry is located at 36°17′29″N 97°17′28″W (36.291424, -97.291144).[13] It is 60 miles (97 km) north of Oklahoma City,[6] and 100 miles (160 km) south of Wichita, Kansas. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.8 square miles (18 km²), of which 6.1 square miles (16 km²) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) (10.98%) is water.

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 5,230 people, 2,203 households, and 1,445 families residing in the city. The population density was 860.1 people per square mile (332.1/km²). There were 2,493 housing units at an average density of 410.0 per square mile (158.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.7% White, 3.1% African American, 3.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.[15]

There were 2,203 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,653, and the median income for a family was $37,731. Males had a median income of $30,485 versus $22,039 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,924. About 10.4% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

The city is home to Charles Machine Works, which is the headquarters and manufacturing facility of Ditch Witch machinery and employs over 1,300 people.[9]

• Perry High School, grades 9-12.
• Perry Junior-High School, grades 7-8.
• Perry Upper Elementary School, grades 3-6.
• Perry Lower Elementary School, grades Pre-K-2.

Perry High School is noted for its wrestling program, historically one of the most successful programs in the United States; it has won 56 state championships, including 42 team and 19 dual championships since 1952, and 163 individual state championships.[16]

The city of Perry has been governed under a Home Rule City Charter Form of Government since the motion passed by popular vote and was approved by the Governor in 2008.

The Perry Police Department consists of 12 full time police officers, five dispatchers and an animal control officer. The Chief of Police is Brian Thomas.

The Perry Fire Department consists of nine full time fireman.

Multiple historic sites in Perry are NRHP-listed:

The Cherokee Strip Museum is operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society. It provides an opportunity to explore the remarkable events and people constituting the history of the Cherokee Outlet. The facility includes The Rose Hill School, giving fourth-grade students an opportunity to experience an education from yesteryear; and, a Blacksmith Shop, allowing visitors to see what crafting tools was like in pioneer days.[17]

Since 2016, Perry has operated the Perry BMAC Baseball Complex, complete with four ball fields, each equipped with a digital scoreboard and control system. The complex includes covered bleachers and a full concessions area.[18]

Perry Lake is two miles off US-77. The lake was originally created to be the primary water source for the City of Perry; however, its primary use is now recreational. The lake offers boating, skiing, swimming, fishing, and RV camping.[19]

CCC Lake and Park, created in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as part of the New Deal, is just to the south of Perry on SH-86. The lake itself is now Perry’s primary water source; so, while swimming and fishing are allowed, only trolling motors are permitted on the lake. Three pavilions are available for use, as is Centennial Church, a beautiful 1894 building moved to the Park and fully renovated by 2007. All these facilities can be reserved for special occasions.[19]

Lake McMurtry is to the southeast; and, Lake Carl Blackwell is to the south.[20]

• Thomas H. Doyle, American attorney, politician,judge who moved to Perry before statehood and served as member of Territorial Congress (1897-1901) and U.S. Congress (1901-1907); later served on Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals(1915-1947).
• Ralph Foster, American football player
• Robert Galbreath, Jr. (1863-1953), started Perry Evening Democrat and later discovered the Glenn Pool Oil Reserve.[21]
• Danny Hodge, professional wrestler, Olympic wrestler, boxer.
• Henry S. Johnston, Oklahoma governor.
• Little Britches, female bandit lived briefly in Perry in 1895
• Ed Malzahn (July 3, 1921 - December 11, 2015), born in Perry, inventor of Ditch Witch compact power trencher[9]
• Sharron Miller, Emmy Award and Directors Guild of America Award winning television director, producer, writer.
• Billy Pricer, NFL football player.
• Jack Swagger, professional wrestler
• Jack van Bebber, Olympic wrestler.
• La Vern E. Weber, United States Army Lieutenant General and Chief of the National Guard Bureau

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Perry, Oklahoma.

• City of Perry
• Perry Public Schools
• Perry Carnegie Library

• Noble County Courthouse (Perry, Oklahoma)
• Perry Courthouse Square Historic District