Altus, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Altus is a city in Jackson County
, Oklahoma
, United States
. The population was 19,813 at the 2010 census
. It is the county seat
of Jackson County
.
Altus is home to Altus Air Force Base
, the United States Air Force
training base for pilots and aircrew in the C-17
, and KC-135. It is also home to Western Oklahoma State College
and Southwest Technology Center
.
The city has seen relatively steady growth since the beginning. The population doubled between the time of Oklahoma statehood and the 1910 census and even increased during the Great Depression
. An irrigation project in the 1940s and World War II led to further growth in the town as the nearby air field was used to train military pilots.
instead of Texas
. The city lies between the main channel and north fork of the Red River.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 17 square miles (44 km²), of which 16.8 square miles (43.5 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) (1.17%) is water.
of 2000, there were 21,447 people, 7,896 households, and 5,629 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,274.1 people per square mile (492.0/km²). There were 9,264 housing units at an average density of 550.4 per square mile (212.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.62% White, 10.41% African American, 1.48% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 10.32% from other races
, and 3.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.25% of the population.
There were 7,896 households out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples
living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,217, and the median income for a family was $38,400. Males had a median income of $28,041 versus $18,856 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,378. About 14.6% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
Jackson County, Oklahoma
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 28,439. Its county seat is Altus.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and is water....
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 19,813 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Jackson County
Jackson County, Oklahoma
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 28,439. Its county seat is Altus.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and is water....
.
Altus is home to Altus Air Force Base
Altus Air Force Base
Altus Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately east-northeast of Altus, Oklahoma.The host unit at Altus AFB is the 97th Air Mobility Wing , assigned to the Nineteenth Air Force of the Air Education and Training Command...
, the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
training base for pilots and aircrew in the C-17
C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
, and KC-135. It is also home to Western Oklahoma State College
Western Oklahoma State College
Western Oklahoma State College, formerly known as Altus Junior College, is a community college located in Altus, Oklahoma. In 2004 it graduated 272 with associate degrees. Of its 1500 undergraduates, 58 percent are female and 42 percent are male as of 2003...
and Southwest Technology Center
Southwest Technology Center
Southwest Technology Center is a public career and technology education center located in Altus, Oklahoma and is part of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education system.-Student organizations:...
.
History
The town that would later be named Altus was founded in 1886. The community was originally called Frazer and served as a trading post until it was relocated due to an 1891 flood. It was renamed Altus, a Latin word meaning "high place".The city has seen relatively steady growth since the beginning. The population doubled between the time of Oklahoma statehood and the 1910 census and even increased during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. An irrigation project in the 1940s and World War II led to further growth in the town as the nearby air field was used to train military pilots.
Geography
Altus is located at 34°38′38"N 99°19′36"W (34.643754, -99.326603). Altus is situated in what used to be Old Greer County, an area with disputed ownership until a Supreme Court decision awarded it to Oklahoma TerritoryOklahoma Territory
The Territory of Oklahoma was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 2, 1890, until November 16, 1907, when it was joined with the Indian Territory under a new constitution and admitted to the Union as the State of Oklahoma.-Organization:Oklahoma Territory's...
instead of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The city lies between the main channel and north fork of the Red River.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 17 square miles (44 km²), of which 16.8 square miles (43.5 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) (1.17%) is water.
Climate
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 21,447 people, 7,896 households, and 5,629 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,274.1 people per square mile (492.0/km²). There were 9,264 housing units at an average density of 550.4 per square mile (212.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.62% White, 10.41% African American, 1.48% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 10.32% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.25% of the population.
There were 7,896 households out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,217, and the median income for a family was $38,400. Males had a median income of $28,041 versus $18,856 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,378. About 14.6% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
Local notables
- Mark CotneyMark CotneyMark Cotney , is a former professional American football player who played in 10 NFL seasons from 1975-1984 for the Houston Oilers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Selected by the Buccaneers in the 1976 NFL Expansion Draft, he was a member of the original winless 1976 team and the 1979 team that played in...
, National Football League (NFL) player (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - Jason GildonJason GildonJason Larue Gildon is a former linebacker for the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars . He was selected to three Pro Bowl teams from 2000, 2001, and 2002, and is currently the Steelers all-time career sacks leader with 77.0 quarterback take-downs...
, NFL player (Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers) - James HoltJames Holt (American football)James Holt is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Kansas.-External links:**...
, NFL player (San Diego Chargers) - John SterlingJohn Sterling (American football)John Sterling is a former running back in the National Football League. He played with the Green Bay Packers during the 1987 NFL season.-References:...
, NFL player (Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos)
Points of interest
- Lake Altus-LugertLake Altus-LugertLake Altus-Lugert, also known as Lake Altus and Lake Lugert is a reservoir located 17 miles north of Altus, Oklahoma on the former site of the town of Lugert, Oklahoma...
- Altus City Reservoir
- Altus Speedway
- Morgan Doll MuseumMorgan Doll MuseumThe Morgan Doll Museum is a doll museum in Altus, Oklahoma. It was established in 2005 and is made up of dolls collected by Mary Morgan over her liftetime. Morgan has amassed a collection totaling over 5,000 dolls...
- Altus City Park including 18-hole disc golf course
- Altus Air Force BaseAltus Air Force BaseAltus Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately east-northeast of Altus, Oklahoma.The host unit at Altus AFB is the 97th Air Mobility Wing , assigned to the Nineteenth Air Force of the Air Education and Training Command...
Gallery
External links
- City of Altus Web Page
- Western Oklahoma State College
- Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Altus
- Altus information, photos and videos on TravelOK.com Official travel and tourism website for the State of Oklahoma