Wetumka, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Wetumka is a city in Hughes County
, Oklahoma
, United States
. The population was 1,451 at the 2000 census. It is the headquarters for two federally recognized tribes, the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town
and the Kialegee Tribal Town
. It is the home of the World Famous Sucker Day, held every year on the last Saturday in September.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), of which, 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²) of it is land and 0.52% is water.
of 2000, there were 1,451 people, 591 households, and 346 families residing in the city. The population density
was 760.8 people per square mile (293.3/km²). There were 700 housing units at an average density of 367.0 per square mile (141.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 58.37% White, 5.65% African American, 31.63% Native American, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races
, and 4.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.55% of the population.
There were 591 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.4% were married couples
living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% were non-families. 38.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $17,000.00, and the median income for a family was $21,645. Males had a median income of $18,194 versus $14,091 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $9,455. About 31.3% of families and 39.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.4% of those under age 18 and 29.8% of those age 65 or over.
Hughes County, Oklahoma
Hughes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 14,154. Its county seat is Holdenville.-Geography:...
, 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 1,451 at the 2000 census. It is the headquarters for two federally recognized tribes, the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town
Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town
The Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town is both a federally recognized Native American tribe and a traditional township of Muskogean-speaking Alabama and Coushatta peoples. Their traditional languages include Alabama, Koasati, and Mvskoke...
and the Kialegee Tribal Town
Kialegee Tribal Town
The Kialegee Tribal Town is a federally recognized Native American tribe in Oklahoma, as well as a traditional township within the Muscogee Creek Confederacy...
. It is the home of the World Famous Sucker Day, held every year on the last Saturday in September.
Geography
Wetumka is located at 35°14′20"N 96°14′23"W (35.238849, -96.239851).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 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), of which, 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²) of it is land and 0.52% is water.
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 1,451 people, 591 households, and 346 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 760.8 people per square mile (293.3/km²). There were 700 housing units at an average density of 367.0 per square mile (141.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 58.37% White, 5.65% African American, 31.63% Native American, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.21% 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 4.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.55% of the population.
There were 591 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.4% 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, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% were non-families. 38.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $17,000.00, and the median income for a family was $21,645. Males had a median income of $18,194 versus $14,091 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 $9,455. About 31.3% of families and 39.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.4% of those under age 18 and 29.8% of those age 65 or over.
Activities
Wetumka was conned by a man named F. Bam Morrison in 1950, and the town laughs about it each year through a celebration called Sucker Day.People
Famous people from Wetumka include:- John HerringtonJohn HerringtonJohn Bennett Herrington is an American business executive, former US Navy officer and former NASA astronaut. He is a veteran of one Space Shuttle mission. He is the first enrolled member of a Native American tribe to fly in space....
, Astronaut - Jess Goodspeed Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee