Stephens County, Oklahoma

Stephens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2010 census, the population was 45,048.[1] Its county seat is Duncan.[2] The county was created at statehood, partly from the Chickasaw Nation in Indian Territory and partly from Comanche County in Oklahoma Territory. It was named for Texas politician John Hall Stephens.[3]

Stephens County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°29′N 97°52′W
Country United States
State Oklahoma
Founded1907
Named forJohn Hall Stephens
SeatDuncan
Largest cityDuncan
Area
 • Total891 sq mi (2,310 km2)
 • Land870 sq mi (2,300 km2)
 • Water21 sq mi (50 km2)  2.4%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total45,048
 • Estimate 
(2019)
43,143
 • Density52/sq mi (20/km2)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.stephenscountyok.com

Stephens County comprises the Duncan, OK Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Stephens County was created at statehood from portions of both Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory. About two-thirds of the area came from Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation, in the Indian Territory,[4] and the western third came from Comanche County, Oklahoma Territory. The town of Duncan was designated as the county seat. County offices were located in rented facilities in Duncan until the first courthouse was built in 1921. That building was replaced by a new facility in 1967.[3]

Drilling for oil and gas began about 1910. The first production well did not come in until 1918. Production support activities soon followed. Erle P. Halliburton founded the Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company in Duncan.[3] The company has since grown into a multinational corporation with headquarters in Dubai and Houston, Texas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 891 square miles (2,310 km2), of which 870 square miles (2,300 km2) is land and 21 square miles (54 km2) (2.4%) is water.[5] It lies within the Red Bed plains. Although there is no major river in the county, there are some creeks that provide drainage. Wildhorse Creek in the eastern part flows into the Washita River. Beaver Creek in the western part of the county flows into the Red River. Lakes in the county include Lake Humphreys, Clear Creek Lake, Duncan Lake, Comanche Lake, and Waurika Lake.[3]

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
191022,252—
192024,69211.0%
193033,06933.9%
194031,090−6.0%
195034,0719.6%
196037,99011.5%
197035,902−5.5%
198043,41920.9%
199042,299−2.6%
200043,1822.1%
201045,0484.3%
2019 (est.)43,143[6]−4.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2019[1]
Age pyramid for Stephens County, Oklahoma, based on census 2000 data.

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 43,182 people, 17,463 households, and 12,590 families residing in the county. The population density was 19/km2 (49/mi2). There were 19,854 housing units at an average density of 9/km2 (23/mi2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.37% White, 2.20% Black or African American, 4.92% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.44% from other races, and 2.74% from two or more races. 3.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 17,463 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,709, and the median income for a family was $36,371. Males had a median income of $30,428 versus $20,055 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,357. About 11.60% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.50% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.

Politics
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of January 15, 2019[12]
Party Number of Voters Percentage
Democratic 8,981 33.81%
Republican 13,991 52.67%
Others 3,591 15.52%
Total 26,563 100%
Presidential election results
Presidential election results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 79.2% 14,182 17.2% 3,086 3.6% 636
2012 76.6% 12,908 23.4% 3,939
2008 76.0% 14,394 24.0% 4,538
2004 71.2% 13,646 28.8% 5,515
2000 62.1% 10,860 37.0% 6,467 0.9% 161
1996 45.8% 8,144 40.8% 7,248 13.4% 2,384
1992 34.6% 7,085 37.3% 7,644 28.1% 5,742
1988 55.3% 9,844 44.0% 7,833 0.7% 118
1984 66.6% 12,871 32.9% 6,359 0.5% 103
1980 57.1% 10,199 40.3% 7,191 2.6% 462
1976 41.7% 7,099 57.6% 9,795 0.7% 126
1972 71.6% 10,309 25.2% 3,623 3.2% 464
1968 38.5% 5,508 36.7% 5,249 24.9% 3,566
1964 36.5% 5,323 63.5% 9,272
1960 54.0% 8,084 46.1% 6,899
1956 45.7% 6,324 54.3% 7,524
1952 44.6% 6,461 55.4% 8,029
1948 22.2% 1,909 77.8% 6,702
1944 30.8% 2,766 69.0% 6,189 0.2% 19
1940 32.6% 2,989 67.0% 6,149 0.4% 34
1936 20.3% 1,636 79.2% 6,390 0.6% 45
1932 11.6% 1,012 88.4% 7,706
1928 62.7% 5,192 36.0% 2,982 1.3% 105
1924 31.6% 2,377 63.0% 4,745 5.5% 412
1920 39.2% 2,035 54.2% 2,816 6.7% 346
1916 15.0% 607 57.9% 2,343 27.1% 1,098
1912 18.4% 598 53.4% 1,735 28.2% 915

Communities

Cities

Towns

Village

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated places

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Wilson, Linda D. Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. "Stephens County." Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  4. Charles Goins, Historical Atlas of Oklahoma (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2006), plate 105.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  6. "County Population Totals: 2010-2019". Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County" (PDF). OK.gov. January 15, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 30, 2018.

Further reading
See also: List of books about Chisholm Trail

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