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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

00 oklahoma capitol grassOklahoma City, Oklahoma

  • Oklahoma became a state November 16, 1907, the 46th state admitted to the Union.
  • Oklahoma City became state capital 1910
  • Settled: 1889
  • Name Origin: “Oklahoma” is derived from Choctaw words meaning “red people” and city was named for state

The land that is now Oklahoma City was nothing but barren prairie on the morning of April 22, 1889. By nightfall the population numbered 10,000. No place has ever been settled faster than this one, during the famous land run when the territory was opened for settlement.

Oklahoma City is the only state capitol with an oil well on the grounds. It pumped oil from 1941-1986 and today is preserved as a monument. The city sits on top of one of the nation’s largest oilfields and oil-well equipment is manufactured here.

One of the world’s largest cattle markets, Oklahoma National Stockyards, is here too. So is the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and the National Softball Hall of Fame. Annual events: International Finals Rodeo, World Championship Quarter Horse Show, and Red Earth, a native American dance competition and arts festival.

Key Words: land run, oil well, stockyards, cowboy, Native American

Things To Love About Oklahoma City

The wide open spaces, and the wind; the rush of a land-rush way of life; the mix of native tribes and cowboys and a highrise urban scene; the shading trees and winding canals added by planners, though nature didn’t think of it.

Blogs To Read About Oklahoma City

The Promised Land  https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=7003#more-7003

Divide And Conquer  https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=5274

Here’s The Beef  https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=5932

Afternoon In Paris  https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=6046

Out Of The Ordinary  https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=6138

Capital City Basics

  • Population: 579,999, 8th largest in population of the 50 capital cities
  • Population density: 956 persons per square mile
  • Land area of city: 606.41 square miles
  • Elevation: 1,207 feet, 10th highest in elevation of the 50 capital cities
  • Normal high/low temps: January 50/29, July 94/72. Annual rainfall: 37 inches
  • Time Zone: Central
  • Water near: Oklahoma River, aka North Canadian River
  • Mountains near: Sandstone Hills. Black Mesa, on the western border of the panhandle, is the highest point in Oklahoma at 4,973 feet.
  • Miles to three nearest State Capitals: Topeka, KS 293; Little Rock, AR 337; Jefferson City, MO 421
  • Miles to National Capitol in Washington, DC: 1,332

Population Statistics from US 2010 Census

  • 579,999          Population
  • 25.4%              Under 18
  • 11.3%               Over 65
  • 4.0%                Asian
  • 15.1%               Black
  • 17.2%               Hispanic/Latino
  • 3.5%                Native Alaskan or American Indian
  • 0.1%                Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
  • 56.7%              White

Education Statistics from US 2010 Census

  • 18.5%              English Not Spoken at Home
  • 84.8%             High School Graduate
  • 27.9%              Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Economic Statistics from US 2010 Census

  • 17.1%               Below Poverty Level
  • $25,450          Per Capita Income
  • $44,973          Median Household Income
  • $129,300       Median Value of Home
  • 60.6%             Home Ownership

City: http://www.okc.gov/

Visitors: http://www.visitokc.com/