Garfield County, Oklahoma

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox U.S. county

Garfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 62,846.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> Enid is the county seat and largest city within Garfield County.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The county is named after President James A. Garfield.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Garfield County comprises the Enid, OK metropolitan statistical area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name=Cherokee>Turner, Alvin O. Cherokee Outlet Opening, Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 4, 2015.</ref> 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.<ref name=Wild>Fulbright, Jim, Hell on Rails: Oklahoma Towns at War with the Rock Island Railroad Template:Webarchive, Wild West Magazine, December 2007</ref><ref name=Chisholm>Dortch, Steven D. The Chisholm Trail, Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009, Accessed April 4, 2015.</ref> Railroad development in the county began four years prior to the land opening. Enid became a central hub within the county.<ref name=Garfield>Wilson, Linda D. Garfield County, Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 4, 2015.</ref> 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

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (0.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> Several creeks run through the county, including Black Bear, Boggy, Red Rock, Rock, Skeleton, and Turkey.<ref name=Garfield />

Adjacent counties

Grant County (north)
Noble County (east)
Logan County (southeast)
Kingfisher County (south)
Major County (west)
Alfalfa County (northwest)

Major highways

Demographics

File:USA Garfield County, Oklahoma age pyramid.svg

Age pyramid for Garfield County, Oklahoma.

Template:US Census population

As of the census of 2000,<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> there were 57,813 people, 23,175 households, and 15,805 families residing in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 26,047 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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.<ref name=":0" />

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%.<ref name=":0" />

Politics

Voter registration and party enrollment as of June 30, 2023<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Party		Number of Voters	Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Democratic	5,931	18.31%
Template:Party color cell	Republican	20,301	62.66%
Template:Party color cell	Others	6,165	19.03%
Total		32,397	100%

Economy

File:Garfield County Oklahoma Wheat.jpg

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.<ref name=Garfield /> 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.