Cotton County, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Cotton County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Oklahoma
. As of 2000, the population was 6,614. Its county seat
is Walters
.
When Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907, the area which is now Cotton County fell within the boundaries of Comanche County
. It was split off in 1912, becoming the last county created in Oklahoma; it was named for the county's primary crop.
and name the new county for the primary crop in the region at the time. Randlett was assigned as a temporary county seat until a November 4, 1912 election made Walters, Oklahoma
the permanent location.
Wheat became more prevalent than and corn just as prevalent as cotton as early as 1915. In 1934, corn had dwindled and winter wheat, cotton and oats had become the primary crops.
The county population has generally declined since 1920.
, the county has a total area of 642 square miles (1,662.8 km²), of which 637 square miles (1,649.8 km²) is land and 5 square miles (12.9 km²) (0.83 percent) is water.
The eastern portion of the county is in the Cross Timbers
region. Its creeks and streams drain to the southeast into the Red River, which borders the county on the south.
In 1997 the county held 69,988 cattle and ranked eleventh in the state for poultry sold.
of 2000, there were 6,614 people, 2,614 households, and 1,840 families residing in the county. The population density
was 10 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 3,085 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.70% White
, 2.86% Black
or African American
, 7.42% Native American
, 0.12% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 1.81% from other races
, and 3.05% from two or more races. 4.85% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,614 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% were married couples
living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,210, and the median income for a family was $35,129. Males had a median income of $28,443 versus $19,101 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $14,626. About 13.70% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.40% of those under age 18 and 16.90% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. As of 2000, the population was 6,614. Its 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....
is Walters
Walters, Oklahoma
Walters is a city in Cotton County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,657 at the 2000 census. The city, nestled in between twin creeks, is the county seat of Cotton County...
.
When Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907, the area which is now Cotton County fell within the boundaries of Comanche County
Comanche County, Oklahoma
Comanche County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Built on former reservation lands of the Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache in Indian Territory, Comanche County was open for settlement on August 16, 1901 by lottery. The region has three cities and seven towns as well as the Fort Sill...
. It was split off in 1912, becoming the last county created in Oklahoma; it was named for the county's primary crop.
History
The county got its name in 1912, when residents elected to split from Comanche CountyComanche County, Oklahoma
Comanche County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Built on former reservation lands of the Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache in Indian Territory, Comanche County was open for settlement on August 16, 1901 by lottery. The region has three cities and seven towns as well as the Fort Sill...
and name the new county for the primary crop in the region at the time. Randlett was assigned as a temporary county seat until a November 4, 1912 election made Walters, Oklahoma
Walters, Oklahoma
Walters is a city in Cotton County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,657 at the 2000 census. The city, nestled in between twin creeks, is the county seat of Cotton County...
the permanent location.
Wheat became more prevalent than and corn just as prevalent as cotton as early as 1915. In 1934, corn had dwindled and winter wheat, cotton and oats had become the primary crops.
The county population has generally declined since 1920.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited 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 county has a total area of 642 square miles (1,662.8 km²), of which 637 square miles (1,649.8 km²) is land and 5 square miles (12.9 km²) (0.83 percent) is water.
The eastern portion of the county is in the Cross Timbers
Cross Timbers
The term Cross Timbers is used to describe a strip of land in the United States that runs from southeastern Kansas across Central Oklahoma to Central Texas...
region. Its creeks and streams drain to the southeast into the Red River, which borders the county on the south.
Major highways
Interstate 44
U.S. Highway 70
U.S. Highway 277
U.S. Highway 281
State Highway 5State Highway 5 (Oklahoma)State Highway 5 is the name assigned to two distinct state highways in the U.S state of Oklahoma. One runs for 21 miles through extreme southwestern Oklahoma, passing through Harmon and Jackson Counties...
State Highway 53State Highway 53 (Oklahoma)State Highway 53 is a 87 mile highway in southern Oklahoma. It connects Walters in Cotton Co. to Gene Autry in Carter Co.. It has one lettered spur route, SH-53A.-Route description:...
State Highway 65
Adjacent counties
- Comanche CountyComanche County, OklahomaComanche County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Built on former reservation lands of the Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache in Indian Territory, Comanche County was open for settlement on August 16, 1901 by lottery. The region has three cities and seven towns as well as the Fort Sill...
(north) - Stephens CountyStephens County, OklahomaStephens County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 43,182. Its county seat is Duncan.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,308 km²...
(northeast) - Jefferson CountyJefferson County, OklahomaJefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 6,818. Its county seat is Waurika.-Geography:...
(southeast) - Clay County, TexasClay County, TexasAs of the census of 2000, there were 11,006 people, 4,323 households, and 3,181 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 4,992 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile...
(south) - Wichita County, TexasWichita County, TexasAs of the census of 2000, there were 131,664 people, 48,441 households, and 32,891 families residing in the county. The population density was 210 people per square mile . There were 53,304 housing units at an average density of 85 per square mile...
(southwest) - Tillman CountyTillman County, OklahomaTillman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 9,287. The county seat is Frederick. .-Geography:According to the U.S...
(west)
Economy
The county's economy has long revolved around agriculture, specifically crops such as cotton and wheat and livestock such as cattle and poultry. Beginning in the late 1910s, oil and gas grew as a strong industry, the county had 290 producing wells in 1920, 32 of which were gas. The southern portion of the county had Devol refineries, pumping stations, and pipelines. A large retail outlet, Temple's B & O Cash Store, shipped merchandise nationwide, before being bought by Sears and Roebuck in 1929 and later closed in 1954.In 1997 the county held 69,988 cattle and ranked eleventh in the state for poultry sold.
Demographics
The county's population has generally declined since it stood at 16,679 in 1920. 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 6,614 people, 2,614 households, and 1,840 families residing in the county. 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 10 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 3,085 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.70% White
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...
, 2.86% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 7.42% Native American
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...
, 0.12% Asian
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...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
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...
, 1.81% 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 3.05% from two or more races. 4.85% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race.
There were 2,614 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% 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, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,210, and the median income for a family was $35,129. Males had a median income of $28,443 versus $19,101 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 county was $14,626. About 13.70% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.40% of those under age 18 and 16.90% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- DevolDevol, OklahomaDevol is a town in Cotton County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 150 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Devol is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- RandlettRandlett, OklahomaRandlett is a town in Cotton County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 511 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Randlett is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- TempleTemple, OklahomaTemple is a town in Cotton County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,146 at the 2000 census. The town is named for the celebrated trial lawyer of Texas and Oklahoma Territory, Temple Lea Houston , the youngest son of General Sam Houston....
- WaltersWalters, OklahomaWalters is a city in Cotton County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,657 at the 2000 census. The city, nestled in between twin creeks, is the county seat of Cotton County...