Beckham County, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Beckham County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Oklahoma
. As of 2000, the population was 19,799. Its county seat
is Sayre
.
Founded upon statehood in 1907, Beckham County was named for J. C. W. Beckham
, who was Governor of Kentucky
, and as the first popularly elected member of the United States Senate
from Kentucky
(there was also a short lived sister-county counterpart, Beckham County, Kentucky
from February 9, 1904, to April 29, 1904, was dissolved by the Kentucky Court of Appeals because it was not created in conformance with state law).
of 1819, both the governments of the United States and the state of Texas claimed ownership of some 1.5 million acres (6,100 km²) in what was then operated as Greer County, Texas
. Litigation followed, and in the case of United States v. State of Texas , issued on March 16, the Supreme Court
, having original jurisdiction over the case, decided in favor of the United States. The county was then assigned to the Oklahoma Territory on May 4, 1896, and when Oklahoma became a state, in addition to forming a part of Beckham County, the region was also further split into Greer
, Harmon
, and Jackson
counties.
:
, the county has a total area of 904 square miles (2,341.3 km²), of which 902 square miles (2,336.2 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (0.26%) is water.
of 2000, there were 19,799 people, 7,356 households, and 5,002 families residing in the county. The population density
was 22 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 8,796 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.05% White
, 5.55% Black
or African American
, 2.58% Native American
, 0.41% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 2.24% from other races
, and 2.16% from two or more races. 5.45% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 7,356 households out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% were married couples
living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 109.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,402, and the median income for a family was $34,315. Males had a median income of $26,387 versus $18,945 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $14,488. About 14.30% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.80% of those under age 18 and 9.10% 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 19,799. 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 Sayre
Sayre, Oklahoma
Sayre is a city in and the county seat of Beckham County, in Western Oklahoma, the United States. It is half-way between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Amarillo, Texas on Interstate 40 and the former U.S. Route 66. The population was 4,375 at the 2010 census....
.
Founded upon statehood in 1907, Beckham County was named for J. C. W. Beckham
J. C. W. Beckham
John Crepps Wickliffe Beckham was the 35th Governor of Kentucky and a United States Senator from Kentucky...
, who was Governor of Kentucky
Governor of Kentucky
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...
, and as the first popularly elected member of the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
(there was also a short lived sister-county counterpart, Beckham County, Kentucky
Beckham County, Kentucky
Beckham County, Kentucky was a county formed by the Kentucky General Assembly on February 9, 1904. Beckham County was created in the northeastern part of the state from parts of Carter County, Kentucky, Lewis County, Kentucky and Elliott County, Kentucky. The county seat was Olive Hill, Kentucky...
from February 9, 1904, to April 29, 1904, was dissolved by the Kentucky Court of Appeals because it was not created in conformance with state law).
History
After a dispute over the Adams-Onís TreatyAdams-Onís Treaty
The Adams–Onís Treaty of 1819, also known as the Transcontinental Treaty or the Purchase of Florida, was a treaty between the United States and Spain in 1819 that gave Florida to the U.S. and set out a boundary between the U.S. and New Spain . It settled a standing border dispute between the two...
of 1819, both the governments of the United States and the state of Texas claimed ownership of some 1.5 million acres (6,100 km²) in what was then operated as Greer County, Texas
Greer County, Texas
Greer County, was a county created by the Texas legislature on February 8, 1860 , was land claimed by both Texas and the United States.-Origin of the dispute:...
. Litigation followed, and in the case of United States v. State of Texas , issued on March 16, the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
, having original jurisdiction over the case, decided in favor of the United States. The county was then assigned to the Oklahoma Territory on May 4, 1896, and when Oklahoma became a state, in addition to forming a part of Beckham County, the region was also further split into Greer
Greer County, Oklahoma
Greer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 6,061. Its county seat is Mangum. From 1860 to 1896, the state of Texas claimed an area known as Greer County, Texas, which included present-day Greer County along with neighboring...
, Harmon
Harmon County, Oklahoma
Harmon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 2,992. In population, it is the second smallest county in Oklahoma, only Cimarron County, according to the 2010 census, having fewer inhabitants. The county seat is Hollis.-Geography:According to the...
, and Jackson
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....
counties.
NRHP sites
The following sites in Beckham County are listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
:
|
|
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 904 square miles (2,341.3 km²), of which 902 square miles (2,336.2 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (0.26%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 40
U.S. Highway 283
State Highway 6State Highway 6 (Oklahoma)State Highway 6, abbreviated to SH-6 or OK-6, is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs in a 116.4 mile crescent through the southwestern part of the state, running from the Texas state line north of Quanah, Texas, to SH-152 in the unincorporated town of Sweetwater...
State Highway 30State Highway 30 (Oklahoma)State Highway 30 is a state highway in Oklahoma. It runs 84.5 miles south-to-north along the western edge of the state, from US-62 in Hollis to the town of Durham, two miles north of SH-33...
State Highway 34State Highway 34 (Oklahoma)State Highway 34 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It runs for south-to-north in the western part of the state...- State Highway 55
Adjacent counties
- Roger Mills CountyRoger Mills County, OklahomaRoger Mills County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 3,436. Its county seat is Cheyenne.-History:Roger Mills County takes its name from Roger Q. Mills, a prominent American politician from Texas...
(north) - Custer CountyCuster County, OklahomaCuster County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It was named in honor of General George Armstrong Custer. As of 2000, the population was 26,142. Its county seat is Arapaho.-Geography:...
(northeast) - Washita CountyWashita County, OklahomaWashita County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 11,508. Its county seat is New Cordell. It was formerly located in Cloud Chief, Oklahoma....
(east) - Kiowa CountyKiowa County, OklahomaKiowa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 10,227. Its county seat is Hobart.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of . is land and is water....
(southeast) - Greer CountyGreer County, OklahomaGreer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 6,061. Its county seat is Mangum. From 1860 to 1896, the state of Texas claimed an area known as Greer County, Texas, which included present-day Greer County along with neighboring...
(south) - Harmon CountyHarmon County, OklahomaHarmon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 2,992. In population, it is the second smallest county in Oklahoma, only Cimarron County, according to the 2010 census, having fewer inhabitants. The county seat is Hollis.-Geography:According to the...
(southwest) - Collingsworth County, Texas (west)
- Wheeler County, Texas (northwest)
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 19,799 people, 7,356 households, and 5,002 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 22 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 8,796 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.05% 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...
, 5.55% 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...
, 2.58% 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...
, 0.41% 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...
, 0.02% 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...
, 2.24% 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 2.16% from two or more races. 5.45% 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 7,356 households out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% 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, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 109.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,402, and the median income for a family was $34,315. Males had a median income of $26,387 versus $18,945 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 $14,488. About 14.30% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.80% of those under age 18 and 9.10% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- CarterCarter, OklahomaCarter is a town in Beckham County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 256 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Carter is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- Elk CityElk City, OklahomaElk City is a city in Beckham County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 11,693 at the 2010 census. Elk City is located on Interstate 40 and Historic U.S. Route 66 in Western Oklahoma, approximately west of Oklahoma City and east of Amarillo....
- ErickErick, OklahomaErick is a city in Beckham County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,052 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Erick is located at , elevation 2,060 feet ....
- HextHext, OklahomaHext is a small unincorporated rural community on old U.S. Highway 66 in Beckham County, Oklahoma, United States. It had a post office from June 4, 1901, until November 29, 1902. The stone gas station on Old Route 66 was converted into a home and the pumps were removed. There are no businesses in...
- SayreSayre, OklahomaSayre is a city in and the county seat of Beckham County, in Western Oklahoma, the United States. It is half-way between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Amarillo, Texas on Interstate 40 and the former U.S. Route 66. The population was 4,375 at the 2010 census....
- TexolaTexola, OklahomaTexola is a town in Beckham County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 36 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Texola is located at , elevation 2,140 feet ....