Garfield County, Oklahoma

Garfield County
County
Garfield County Courthouse in Enid (2011)
Garfield County Courthouse in Enid (2011)
Map of Oklahoma highlighting Garfield County
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Map of the United States highlighting Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°23′N 97°47′W / 36.38°N 97.78°W / 36.38; -97.78
Country United States
State Oklahoma
Founded1893
Named forJames A. Garfield
SeatEnid
Largest cityEnid
Area
 • Total
1,060 sq mi (2,700 km2)
 • Land1,058 sq mi (2,740 km2)
 • Water1.6 sq mi (4 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
62,846 Increase
 • Density59/sq mi (23/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.garfieldok.com

Garfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 62,846.[1] Enid is the county seat and largest city within Garfield County.[2] The county is named after President James A. Garfield.[3] Garfield County comprises the Enid, OK metropolitan statistical area.[4]

Prior to the Land Run of 1893, Garfield County was named O County and was part of the Cherokee Outlet, occupied by the Cherokee people following the Treaty of New Echota and the Cherokee trail of tears.[5] Historically, the area was a hunting ground for the Wichita, Osage, and Kiowa tribes.

The Chisholm Trail, stage coach lines, mail routes, and railroads passed through stations at Buffalo Springs and Skeleton, today known as Bison and Enid.[6][7] Railroad development in the county began four years prior to the land opening. Enid became a central hub within the county.[8] Historical railroads included Enid and Tonkawa Railway, Enid and Anadarko Railway, Blackwell, Enid and Southwestern Railway, Enid Central Railway and the Denver, Enid and Gulf Railroad.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,060 square miles (2,700 km2), of which 1,058 square miles (2,740 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.2%) is water.[9] Several creeks run through the county, including Black Bear, Boggy, Red Rock, Rock, Skeleton, and Turkey.[8]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Age pyramid for Garfield County, Oklahoma.
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
189022,076—
190010,037−54.5%
191033,050229.3%
192037,50013.5%
193045,58821.6%
194045,484−0.2%
195052,82016.1%
196052,9750.3%
197055,3654.5%
198062,82013.5%
199056,735−9.7%
200057,8131.9%
201060,5804.8%
202062,8463.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010[14]

As of the census of 2000,[15] there were 57,813 people, 23,175 households, and 15,805 families residing in the county. The population density was 55 people per square mile (21 people/km2). There were 26,047 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.65% White, 3.26% Black or African American, 2.11% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.49% Pacific Islander, 2.02% from other races, and 2.62% from two or more races; 4.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. By the 2020 census, its population grew to 62,846.[1]

In 2000, there were 23,175 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.95. In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.40 males.

As of 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $33,006, and the median income for a family was $39,872. Males had a median income of $29,921 versus $20,791 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,457. About 10.50% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.70% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over. By 2021 census estimates, its median household income increased to $60,732, and the county had a poverty rate of 12.9%.[1]

Politics

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Garfield County is one of the most Republican counties in Oklahoma. It has only supported a Democrat for president twice since statehood, during Franklin Roosevelt's landslide victories in 1932 and 1936. A Democrat has only managed as much as 40 percent of the county's vote twice since FDR's death, in 1948 and 1964.

United States presidential election results for Garfield County, Oklahoma[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 16,593 75.96% 4,849 22.20% 402 1.84%
2020 16,970 75.66% 4,919 21.93% 541 2.41%
2016 16,009 73.74% 4,397 20.25% 1,304 6.01%
2012 15,177 76.23% 4,733 23.77% 0 0.00%
2008 17,067 75.48% 5,545 24.52% 0 0.00%
2004 17,685 76.00% 5,586 24.00% 0 0.00%
2000 14,902 68.73% 6,543 30.18% 238 1.10%
1996 11,712 53.62% 7,504 34.36% 2,625 12.02%
1992 13,095 51.38% 6,720 26.37% 5,670 22.25%
1988 15,248 64.78% 8,067 34.27% 223 0.95%
1984 19,642 76.92% 5,730 22.44% 162 0.63%
1980 17,989 72.45% 5,718 23.03% 1,121 4.52%
1976 14,202 60.50% 8,969 38.21% 303 1.29%
1972 19,348 79.07% 4,557 18.62% 564 2.30%
1968 14,370 61.99% 5,802 25.03% 3,011 12.99%
1964 12,297 54.72% 10,175 45.28% 0 0.00%
1960 14,860 69.30% 6,582 30.70% 0 0.00%
1956 15,348 69.39% 6,769 30.61% 0 0.00%
1952 17,589 71.40% 7,047 28.60% 0 0.00%
1948 10,352 55.75% 8,217 44.25% 0 0.00%
1944 11,211 58.53% 7,879 41.13% 65 0.34%
1940 10,792 52.64% 9,544 46.55% 166 0.81%
1936 7,457 39.83% 11,142 59.51% 124 0.66%
1932 6,837 38.82% 10,773 61.18% 0 0.00%
1928 12,748 77.77% 3,503 21.37% 141 0.86%
1924 7,524 56.28% 3,791 28.36% 2,054 15.36%
1920 6,611 60.89% 3,671 33.81% 576 5.30%
1916 2,854 48.41% 2,347 39.81% 694 11.77%
1912 2,900 50.71% 2,353 41.14% 466 8.15%
Voter registration and party enrollment as of June 30, 2023[17]
Party Number of Voters Percentage
Democratic 5,931 18.31%
Republican 20,301 62.66%
Others 6,165 19.03%
Total 32,397 100%

Economy

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Wheat is a major part of the Garfield County economy. Its county seat, Enid, is named the Wheat Capital of Oklahoma.

Primary industries in Garfield County are agriculture and livestock. Historically, crops have included wheat, corn, oats, sorghum, Kaffir corn, and alfalfa.[8] In addition, oil and gas and flour milling have proved fruitful for the county. The county seat of Enid, Oklahoma has the most grain storage capacity in the United States and one of the largest grain elevators in the world. Vance Air Force Base is also a major employer in the area of both airmen and civilians.

Communities

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Early map of Garfield County.

Cities

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Towns

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Census-designated place

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Other unincorporated places

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NRHP sites

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The Garfield County Courthouse, one of many Garfield County sites on the National Register of Historic Places, is located in downtown Enid, Oklahoma.
The county courthouse in 1908.
Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Garfield County, Oklahoma

The following sites in Garfield County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

Covington
Enid
Hunter

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Garfield County, Oklahoma". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 134.
  4. ^ "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget. July 15, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  5. ^ Turner, Alvin O. Cherokee Outlet Opening, Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 4, 2015.
  6. ^ Fulbright, Jim, Hell on Rails: Oklahoma Towns at War with the Rock Island Railroad Archived October 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Wild West Magazine, December 2007
  7. ^ Dortch, Steven D. The Chisholm Trail, Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009, Accessed April 4, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c Wilson, Linda D. Garfield County, Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  12. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  14. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  17. ^ "Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County" (PDF). OK.gov. January 15, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.

Further reading

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See also: List of books about Chisholm Trail
  • Rockwell, Stella, ed., Garfield County, Oklahoma, 1907-1982, Vol. I & II, Garfield Historical Society, Josten's Publishing Company, Topeka, Kansas. 1982.
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36°23′N 97°47′W / 36.38°N 97.78°W / 36.38; -97.78

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