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Canadian County, Oklahoma

Coordinates: 35°32′N 97°59′W / 35.54°N 97.98°W / 35.54; -97.98
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Canadian County" redirects here. For information on the subdivisions of Canadian provinces, see counties of Canada.
Not to be confused with Canadian, Oklahoma.

Canadian County
County
El Reno Carnegie Library
El Reno Carnegie Library
Map of Oklahoma highlighting Canadian County
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Map of the United States highlighting Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°32′N 97°59′W / 35.54°N 97.98°W / 35.54; -97.98
Country United States
State Oklahoma
FoundedMarch, 1890
Named forCanadian River
SeatEl Reno
Largest cityYukon[a]
Area
 • Total906 sq mi (2,350 km2)
 • Land897 sq mi (2,320 km2)
 • Water9.0 sq mi (23 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total154,405
 • Density170/sq mi (66/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts3rd, 4th
Websitewww.canadiancounty.org

Canadian County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 154,405,[1] making it the fourth most populous county in Oklahoma. Its county seat is El Reno.[2]

The county is named for the Canadian River, which forms part of its southern border. The river may have been named for early European explorers who were fur traders and trappers from New France, or pre-1763 colonial Canada.[3]

Canadian County is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan statistical area.

History

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In 1859, the United States expelled the Caddo Nation of Louisiana from its Brazos reservation in Texas and relocated it to what would eventually become Canadian County, Oklahoma.[4][5] Showetat, the last hereditary chief of the Caddo, set up his camp here and is considered Canadian County's first permanent resident. (Union City developed near his camp site.)[6]

The federal government relocated the Wichita tribe to this same part of Indian Territory in 1861. By the Treaty of Medicine Lodge, the United States assigned the land west of the Caddo and Wichita to the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. They were relocated from Colorado in 1869. The Cheyenne-Arapaho Agency (later renamed the Darlington Agency) was established in 1870.

Canadian County was formed in 1889 as County Four of Oklahoma Territory as part of the Oklahoma Organic Act, which created Oklahoma Territory from part of Indian Territory.[6] It was named after the Canadian River, which runs through the county.

This county was settled by European-Americans after the April 22, 1889, land run, which gave away expropriated Native American land.[6] It was expanded by a second land run in 1892. In 1902, after distribution of communal lands among households of the Cheyenne and Arapaho, their 'surplus' lands were opened to European-American settlement.[6] El Reno was chosen as the county seat over competitors Reno City, Frisco, and Canadian City.

The county was the location of the last great battle of the Cheyenne and Arapaho against United States Army forces.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 906 square miles (2,350 km2), of which 897 square miles (2,320 km2) is land and 9.0 square miles (23 km2) (1.0%) is water.[7] The county lies mostly within the Red Bed Plains, a subregion of the Osage Plains physiographic region. Its northwestern corner is in the Gypsum Hills. The county is drained by the North Canadian River and the Canadian River, which both flow through the county from northwest to southeast.[6]

According to a study published by the Oklahoma Geological Survey, the North Canadian River drains about 40 percent of the county, the Canadian River drains about 32 percent, and the Cimarron River drains about 27 percent (mostly in the northeastern part of the county). About 1 percent of the county is drained by Sugar Creek, which empties into the Washita River, itself a tributary of the Red River.[8]

The North Canadian River enters Canadian County near the northwest corner, flows generally southeast towards the middle of the county, then turns southward to leave the county about 8 miles (13 km) north of the southeastern corner. The river length is about 76 miles (122 km). The elevation drops from 1,420 feet (430 m) at the entry to about 1,200 feet (370 m) at the exit. Its named tributaries are Sixmile Creek, Fourmile Creek, Purcell Creek, Shell Creek, and Mustang Creek.[9]

The Canadian River enters the western border of the county about 11 miles (18 km) north of the southwest corner at an elevation of 1,370 feet (420 m) and flows southeast about 16 miles (26 km), where it becomes the southern border of the county. Its course within the county is 45 miles (72 km) long, and the elevation where it leaves the county is 1,150 feet (350 m). Named tributaries include Dry Creek and Boggy Creek.[10]

The Cimarron River does not flow through the county, but drains part of the northeastern area via its tributaries: Kingfisher, Dead Indian, Uncle John, Cottonwood, Soldier, and Deer creeks. The Washita River flows more than 20 miles (32 km) south of the county, but drains about 5 square miles (13 km2) in the southwest corner of Canadian County.[11]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18907,158—
190015,981123.3%
191023,50147.1%
192022,288−5.2%
193028,11526.1%
194027,329−2.8%
195025,644−6.2%
196024,727−3.6%
197032,24530.4%
198056,45275.1%
199074,40931.8%
200087,69717.9%
2010115,54131.8%
2020154,40533.6%
2023 (est.)175,829[12]13.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15]
1990–2000[16] 2010[17]
Age pyramid for Canadian County, Oklahoma, based on census 2000 data[18]

As of the census of 2000,[18] there were 87,697 people, 31,484 households, and 24,431 families residing in the county. The population density was 98 inhabitants per square mile (38/km2). There were 33,969 housing units at an average density of 38 units per square mile (15 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.01% White, 2.16% Black or African American, 4.27% Native American, 2.45% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.35% from other races, and 2.72% from two or more races. 3.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2020, its population grew to 154,541 with a 2022 census-estimated population of 169,149. Its racial makeup as of the 2021 census estimates were 72.8% non-Hispanic white, 4.3% African American, 5.3% Native American, 3.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 5.1% multiracial, and 11% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[1]

As of 2000, there were 31,484 households, out of which 39.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.30% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.40% were non-families. 19.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.10. In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.00% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 9.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.70 males. By 2021 estimates, there were 54,871 households in the county.[1]

In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $45,439, and the median income for a family was $51,180. Males had a median income of $35,944 versus $24,631 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,691. About 5.80% of families and 7.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 7.20% of those age 65 or over. In 2021, its median household income was $76,973 with a poverty rate of 8.2%.[1]

Politics

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Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of January 15, 2024[19]
Party Number of Voters Percentage
Republican 58,711 59.24%
Democratic 19,974 20.15%
Libertarian 1,139 1.15%
Unaffiliated 19,284 19.46%
Total 99,108 100%
United States presidential election results for Canadian County, Oklahoma[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 43,550 70.31% 16,742 27.03% 1,648 2.66%
2016 39,986 72.34% 11,674 21.12% 3,618 6.55%
2012 35,625 77.17% 10,537 22.83% 0 0.00%
2008 36,428 76.12% 11,426 23.88% 0 0.00%
2004 33,297 77.42% 9,712 22.58% 0 0.00%
2000 22,679 72.32% 8,367 26.68% 314 1.00%
1996 18,139 59.40% 8,977 29.40% 3,420 11.20%
1992 16,756 50.70% 7,215 21.83% 9,079 27.47%
1988 17,872 70.00% 7,453 29.19% 205 0.80%
1984 20,929 79.52% 5,245 19.93% 146 0.55%
1980 15,272 72.58% 4,889 23.24% 880 4.18%
1976 9,766 56.32% 7,288 42.03% 285 1.64%
1972 11,400 78.28% 2,751 18.89% 413 2.84%
1968 5,891 49.12% 3,577 29.83% 2,525 21.05%
1964 5,193 47.47% 5,747 52.53% 0 0.00%
1960 5,697 57.37% 4,234 42.63% 0 0.00%
1956 5,702 59.41% 3,896 40.59% 0 0.00%
1952 7,289 63.43% 4,203 36.57% 0 0.00%
1948 3,729 40.11% 5,568 59.89% 0 0.00%
1944 4,674 49.24% 4,800 50.57% 18 0.19%
1940 4,699 45.90% 5,506 53.79% 32 0.31%
1936 3,325 34.97% 6,135 64.52% 48 0.50%
1932 2,549 27.36% 6,767 72.64% 0 0.00%
1928 5,011 63.63% 2,786 35.38% 78 0.99%
1924 3,070 41.50% 3,065 41.44% 1,262 17.06%
1920 3,881 52.14% 3,268 43.90% 295 3.96%
1916 1,590 37.33% 2,200 51.66% 469 11.01%
1912 1,794 42.49% 2,047 48.48% 381 9.02%
1908 1,931 45.77% 2,124 50.34% 164 3.89%

Government and infrastructure

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The Federal Bureau of Prisons operates the Federal Correctional Institution, El Reno in El Reno, Canadian County.[21]

Economy

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Agriculture has been a mainstay of the economy since the beginning of non-Indigenous settlement in the late 1800s.

Transportation

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Major highways

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Airports

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Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Census-designated place

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Other unincorporated communities

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Education

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Old Yukon Public Library

School districts include:[24]

K-12:

Elementary:

NRHP sites

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Henry Lassen House in El Reno
Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Canadian County, Oklahoma

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

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Canadian County, Oklahoma; United States". www.census.gov. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Oklahoma Historical Society. "Origin of County Names in Oklahoma" Archived August 14, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Chronicles of Oklahoma 2:1 (March 1924) 75-82 (retrieved August 18, 2006).
  4. ^ Klos, George (April 1994). "'Our People Could Not Distinguish One Tribe from Another': The 1859 Expulsion of the Reserve Indians from Texas". The Southwestern Historical Quarterly. 97 (4): 615–16. JSTOR 30242464.
  5. ^ Franks, Kenny Arthur (1997). Oklahoma: The Land and Its People. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 18. ISBN 9780806199443.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Canadian County | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture". Oklahoma Historical Society | OHS. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazettwhen?eer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  8. ^ Mogg, et al., p. 14.
  9. ^ Mogg, et al., pp. 15-16.
  10. ^ Mogg, et al., pp. 17-18.
  11. ^ Mogg, et al., p.18.
  12. ^ United States Census Bureau https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/canadiancountyoklahoma/AGE775222. Retrieved March 20, 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  14. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  15. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  16. ^ "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 March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  17. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  18. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  19. ^ "Voter Registration Totals". January 15, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  21. ^ "FCI El Reno Contact Information." Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on October 1, 2010.
  22. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for RCE PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective December 17, 2009.
  23. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for HSD PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective December 17, 2009.
  24. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Canadian County, OK" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022. - Text list

Notes

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  1. ^ Even though Oklahoma City has a higher population, only a portion of it extends into Canadian County, which makes Yukon the most populous city entirely in the county.

Further reading

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See also: List of books about Chisholm Trail
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35°32′N 97°59′W / 35.54°N 97.98°W / 35.54; -97.98

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