Editing Stephens County, Oklahoma

{{short description|County in Oklahoma, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Stephens County
 | state                = Oklahoma
 | ex image             = Patterson Hospital.jpg
 | ex image size        = 200px
 | ex image cap         = [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Stephens County, Oklahoma|Patterson Hospital]] in [[Duncan, Oklahoma|Duncan]] (2014)
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1907
 | founded date         = 
 | seat wl              = Duncan
 | largest city wl      = Duncan
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 891
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 870
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 21
 | area percentage      = 2.4%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 42848
 | census estimate yr   = 
 | pop                  = 
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | web                  = www.stephenscountyok.com
 | district             = 4th
 | named for            = [[John Hall Stephens]]
}}

'''Stephens County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Oklahoma]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 42,848.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Quickfacts: Stephens County, OK |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/stephenscountyoklahoma |website=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Duncan, Oklahoma|Duncan]].<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}}</ref> The county was created at statehood, partly from the [[Chickasaw Nation]] in [[Indian Territory]] and partly from [[Comanche County, Oklahoma|Comanche County]] in [[Oklahoma Territory]]. It was named for Texas politician [[John Hall Stephens]].<ref name="EOHC-StephensCo">[http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=ST030 Wilson, Linda D. ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''. "Stephens County."] Retrieved September 21, 2013.</ref>

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,<ref>Charles Goins, ''Historical Atlas of Oklahoma'' (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2006), plate 105.</ref>  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.<ref name="EOHC-StephensCo"/>

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.<ref name="EOHC-StephensCo"/> The company has since grown into a [[multinational corporation]] with headquarters in [[Dubai]] and [[Houston, Texas]].

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|891|sqmi}}, of which  {{convert|21|sqmi}} (2.4%) are covered by 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 22, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref> It lies within the [[Red Beds of Texas and Oklahoma|Red Bed plains]]. Although no major river is in the county, some creeks 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 of the South|Red River]]. Lakes in the county include Lake Humphreys, Clear Creek Lake, Duncan Lake, Comanche Lake, and [[Waurika Lake]].<ref name="EOHC-StephensCo"/>

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Grady County, Oklahoma|Grady County]] (north)
* [[Garvin County, Oklahoma|Garvin County]] (northeast)
* [[Carter County, Oklahoma|Carter County]] (southeast)
* [[Jefferson County, Oklahoma|Jefferson County]] (south)
* [[Cotton County, Oklahoma|Cotton County]] (southwest)
* [[Comanche County, Oklahoma|Comanche County]] (northwest)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 22252
|1920= 24692
|1930= 33069
|1940= 31090
|1950= 34071
|1960= 37990
|1970= 35902
|1980= 43419
|1990= 42299
|2000= 43182
|2010= 45048
|2020= 42848
|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 22, 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 22, 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 22, 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 22, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/40137.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 13, 2013|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905071251/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/40137.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
{{Stack|[[File:USA Stephens County, Oklahoma age pyramid.svg|thumb|Age pyramid for Stephens County, Oklahoma, based on census 2000 data.]]}}

As of the [[census]] of 2000, 43,182 people, 17,463 households, and 12,590 families wereresiding in the county.<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> The [[population density]] was {{convert|19|/km2|/mi2|abbr=on}}. There were 19,854 housing units at an average density of {{convert|9|/km2|/mi2|abbr=on}}. The racial makeup of the county was 88.37% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 2.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 4.92% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.30% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.44% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.74% from two or more races; 3.96% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. According to the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 42,848.<ref name=":0" />

In 2000, there were 17,463 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were [[Marriage|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.

In 2000, 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. According to 2017-2021 census estimates, its median household income was $53,470 with a poverty rate of 18.9%.<ref name=":0" />

==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}}</ref>
|-
! colspan = 2 | Party
! Number of Voters
! Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | 5,854
| align = center | 21.71%
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | 16,996
| align = center | 63.04%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Others
| align = center | 4,112
| align = center | 15.25%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 26,962
! align = center | 100%
|}

{{PresHead|place=Stephens 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=February 20, 2021}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|15,092|3,236|292|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|15,560|3,154|343|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|14,182|3,086|636|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|12,908|3,939|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|14,394|4,538|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|13,646|5,515|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|10,860|6,467|161|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|8,144|7,248|2,384|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|7,085|7,644|5,742|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|9,844|7,833|118|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|12,871|6,359|103|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|10,199|7,191|462|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|7,099|9,795|126|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|10,309|3,623|464|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|5,508|5,249|3,566|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|5,323|9,272|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|8,084|6,899|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|6,324|7,524|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|6,461|8,029|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,909|6,702|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,766|6,189|19|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,989|6,149|34|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,636|6,390|45|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,012|7,706|0|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,192|2,982|105|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|2,377|4,745|412|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|2,035|2,816|346|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|607|2,343|1,098|Oklahoma}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|598|1,735|915|Oklahoma}}
{{PresFoot|1908|Democratic|725|1,761|638|Oklahoma}}

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Comanche, Oklahoma|Comanche]]
* [[Duncan, Oklahoma|Duncan]] (county seat)
* [[Marlow, Oklahoma|Marlow]]

===Towns===
* [[Bray, Oklahoma|Bray]]
* [[Central High, Oklahoma|Central High]]
* [[Empire City, Oklahoma|Empire City]]
* [[Velma, Oklahoma|Velma]]

* [[Loco, Oklahoma|Loco]]

===Census-designated place===
* [[Meridian, Stephens County, Oklahoma|Meridian]] (former)
* [[Sunray, Oklahoma|Sunray]]

===Other unincorporated places===
* [[Alma, Oklahoma|Alma]]
* [[Corum, Oklahoma|Corum]]
* [[Santa Fe, Oklahoma|Santa Fe]]

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

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
{{See also|Chisholm Trail#Further reading|l1=List of books about Chisholm Trail}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Stephens County
|North     = [[Grady County, Oklahoma|Grady County]]
|Northeast = [[Garvin County, Oklahoma|Garvin County]]
|East      =
|Southeast = [[Carter County, Oklahoma|Carter County]]
|South     = [[Jefferson County, Oklahoma|Jefferson County]]
|Southwest = [[Cotton County, Oklahoma|Cotton County]]
|West      =
|Northwest = [[Comanche County, Oklahoma|Comanche County]]
}}

{{Stephens County, Oklahoma}}
{{Oklahoma}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|34.48|-97.86|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-OK_source:UScensus1990}}

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