Editing Jackson County, Oklahoma

{{short description|County in Oklahoma, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county       = Jackson County
 | state              = Oklahoma
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1907
 | founded date         = 
 | seat wl              = Altus
 | largest city wl      = Altus
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 804
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 803
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 1.6
 | area percentage      = 0.2%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 24785 {{loss}} 
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       =  
 | density_sq_mi        = 31
 | time zone           = Central
 | district             = 3rd
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = jackson.okcounties.org
 | named for            = [[Stonewall Jackson]]
 | ex image             = Jackson courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Jackson County Courthouse (Oklahoma)|Jackson County Courthouse]] in Altus }}

'''Jackson County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the southwestern corner of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Oklahoma]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 24,785.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Jackson County, Oklahoma|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Jackson_County,_Oklahoma?g=050XX00US40065|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 13, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Altus, Oklahoma|Altus]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> According to the ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'', the county was named for two historical figures: President [[Andrew Jackson]] and Confederate General [[Stonewall Jackson]].<ref name="EOHC-Jackson County">Wilson, Linda D. [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=JA001 "Jackson County,"] ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'', Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 4, 2015.</ref> One source states that the county was named only for the former president,<ref>[http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v002/v002p075.html Oklahoma Historical Society. "Origin of County Names in Oklahoma"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123230037/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v002/v002p075.html |date=January 23, 2014 }}, ''Chronicles of Oklahoma'' Vol. 2 No.1 (March 1924) 75-82. Retrieved October 4, 2013.</ref> while an earlier source states it was named only for General Stonewall Jackson.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://newsok.com/the-archivist-how-oklahoma-counties-got-their-names/article/3893214|title=The Archivist: How Oklahoma counties got their names|date=October 14, 2013|work=NewsOK.com|access-date=March 29, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Jackson County comprises the Altus, OK [[Micropolitan Statistical Area|micropolitan statistical area]].

==History==
After a dispute over the [[Adams-Onís Treaty]] of 1819, both the governments of the United States and the state of Texas claimed ownership of some {{convert|1500000|acre|km2}} in what was then operated as [[Greer County, Texas]]. Litigation followed, and in the case of ''United States v. State of Texas'' {{ussc|162|1|1896}}, issued on March 16, the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]], having original jurisdiction over the case, decided in favor of the United States. Greer County was then assigned to the Oklahoma Territory on May 4, 1896. When Oklahoma became the 46th [[U.S. states|U.S. state]] (November 16, 1907), old "Greer County" was divided into [[Greer County, Oklahoma|Greer]], Jackson, and part of [[Beckham County, Oklahoma|Beckham]] counties.

Altus was originally designated as the seat of Jackson County. Olustee vied in an unsuccessful bid to replace Altus as the seat in an election on July 18, 1908.<ref name="EOHC-Jackson County"/>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|804|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|803|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.6|sqmi}} (0.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_40.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 21, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>

Most of the county is within the [[Red Beds of Texas and Oklahoma|Red Bed Plains]] physiographic region. The western part lies in the Gypsum Hills and the northeastern part is in the [[Wichita Mountains]]. The county is drained by the [[Red River of the South|Red River]] and its tributaries, the [[North Fork of the Red River]] and the [[Salt Fork of the Red River]].<ref name="EOHC-Jackson County"/>

===Major highways===
* [[Image:US 62.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 62 in Oklahoma|U.S. Highway 62]]
* [[Image:US 283.svg|23px]] [[U.S. Route 283#Oklahoma|U.S. Highway 283]]
* [[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 5.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 5 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 5]]
* [[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 6.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 6 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 6]]
* [[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 34.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 34 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 34]]
* [[Image:Oklahoma State Highway 19.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 19 (Oklahoma)|State Highway 19]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Greer County, Oklahoma|Greer County]] (north)
* [[Kiowa County, Oklahoma|Kiowa County]] (northeast)
* [[Tillman County, Oklahoma|Tillman County]] (east)
* [[Wilbarger County, Texas]] (south)
* [[Hardeman County, Texas]] (southwest)
* [[Harmon County, Oklahoma|Harmon County]] (west)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 23737
|1920= 22141
|1930= 28910
|1940= 22708
|1950= 20082
|1960= 29736
|1970= 30902
|1980= 30356
|1990= 28764
|2000= 28439
|2010= 26446
|2020= 24785
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ok190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/40065.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 9, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606154731/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/40065.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 28,439 people, 10,590 households, and 7,667 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|35|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 12,377 housing units at an average density of {{convert|15|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 76.14% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 8.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 1.74% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.16% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.17% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 9.34% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.42% from two or more races. 15.63% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. By 2020, its population declined to 24,785.<ref name=":0" />

There were 10,590 households, out of which 38.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.20% under the age of 18, 10.30% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 19.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,737, and the median income for a family was $38,265. Males had a median income of $28,240 versus $19,215 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $15,454. About 13.60% of families and 16.20% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.70% of those under age 18 and 14.40% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 30, 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/20190115%20-%20Registration%20By%20County%20(vr2420).pdf|title=Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County|date=January 15, 2019|website=OK.gov|access-date=February 27, 2019|archive-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717212721/https://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/20190115%20-%20Registration%20By%20County%20(vr2420).pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Number of Voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | 2,853
| align = center | 22.66%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 7,323
| align = center | 58.16%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Others
| align = center | 2,415
| align = center | 19.18%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 12,591
! align = center | 100%
|}

{{PresHead|place=Jackson County, Oklahoma|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|6,295|1,602|156|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|6,392|1,646|183|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|5,969|1,473|364|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,965|1,954|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|6,719|2,264|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|7,024|2,232|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|5,591|2,515|53|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|4,422|3,245|915|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,893|3,273|2,254|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,423|3,542|36|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,773|2,996|26|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|4,327|4,031|196|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,189|4,914|60|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|5,519|2,054|134|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|2,248|3,371|1,786|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,366|5,894|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|3,375|3,761|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|2,343|4,435|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|2,627|4,921|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|923|5,450|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,313|4,866|13|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,540|4,832|36|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,095|5,435|41|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|603|5,759|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,440|2,493|27|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|941|2,342|521|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|1,345|2,694|417|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|409|2,096|698|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|588|1,819|685|Oklahoma}}
{{PresFoot|1908|Democratic|627|1,897|253|Oklahoma}}

==Economy==
The county's economy has been based on farming and livestock since its inception. The major crops include cotton, wheat, corn, alfalfa, and hay. Barley and sorghum became major crops in the late 1940s. Livestock consisted of horses, cattle, mules, swine and sheep. [[Altus Air Force Base]] is the county's largest non-farm employer. There were 16 manufacturers in the county by 2000. These included Altus Athletic Manufacturing, the Bar-S Foods Company, and the Republic Gypsum plant.<ref name="EOHC-Jackson County"/>  (The Luscombe Aircraft manufacturing plant, later Quartz Mountain Aerospace, went bankrupt in 2009.)<ref name=Lalli>{{cite web|url=  http://ralalli.com/Aircraft_Details/Luscombe_11E.html |title= Luscombe 11E |publisher=RA Lalli|access-date=August 15, 2020}}</ref>

==Education==
The [[Western Oklahoma State College]] (WOSC) and the [[Southwest Technology Center]], both in Altus, offer higher education opportunities in Jackson County.<ref name="EOHC-Jackson County"/>

==Communities==

=== City ===

* [[Altus, Oklahoma|Altus]] (county seat)

=== Towns ===

* [[Blair, Oklahoma|Blair]]
* [[East Duke, Oklahoma|East Duke]]
* [[Eldorado, Oklahoma|Eldorado]]
* [[Elmer, Oklahoma|Elmer]]
* [[Friendship, Oklahoma|Friendship]]
* [[Headrick, Oklahoma|Headrick]]
* [[Martha, Oklahoma|Martha]]
* [[Olustee, Oklahoma|Olustee]]

=== Unincorporated communities ===

* [[Creta, Oklahoma|Creta]]
* [[Hess, Oklahoma|Hess]]
* [[Humphreys, Oklahoma|Humphreys]]
* [[Victory, Oklahoma|Victory]]

=== Ghost towns ===

* [[Aaron, Oklahoma|Aaron]]
* [[Navajoe, Oklahoma|Navajoe]]

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Jackson County, Oklahoma]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Jackson County, Oklahoma}}
* [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=JA001 Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Jackson County]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121024013411/http://www.library.okstate.edu/okmaps/ Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory]

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Jackson County
|North     = [[Greer County, Oklahoma|Greer County]]
|Northeast = [[Kiowa County, Oklahoma|Kiowa County]]
|East      = [[Tillman County, Oklahoma|Tillman County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Wilbarger County, Texas]]
|Southwest = [[Hardeman County, Texas]]
|West      = [[Harmon County, Oklahoma|Harmon County]]
|Northwest =
}}

{{Jackson County, Oklahoma}}
{{Oklahoma}}

{{coord|34.59|-99.41|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-OK_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Jackson County, Oklahoma| ]]
[[Category:1907 establishments in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1907]]