Erick, Oklahoma
Encyclopedia
Erick is a city in Beckham County
, Oklahoma
, United States
. The population was 1,052 at the 2010 census
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.
Erick is located just south of I-40 and has its own business route from that highway (Also U.S. 66) In addition, the town is served by State Highway 30
.
Erick is the approximate halfway point on I-40 from Asheville, North Carolina, to Barstow, California, the terminus of I-40 West, and is a good break point for transcontinental travelers to pull off, rest or rent a motel room—if they do not do so at an earlier point. For travelers coming from the I-40 East terminus in Wilmington, North Carolina, the halfway point will occur earlier.
Erick is also located on Historic U.S. 66.
of 2000, there were 1,023 people, 429 households, and 272 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,040.3 people per square mile (403.0/km²). There were 556 housing units at an average density of 565.4 per square mile (219.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.45% White, 0.10% African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 2.05% from other races
, and 3.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.69% of the population.
There were 429 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples
living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 83.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,346, and the median income for a family was $28,977. Males had a median income of $23,482 versus $16,375 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,855. About 22.5% of families and 25.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.4% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.
's more idiosyncratic performers. Sheb Wooley
, the actor, songwriter, and singer who recorded the saga of the "one-eyed one-horned flying purple people eater
" was born there in 1921. Roger Miller
, country superstar and author of "King of the Road," "Dang Me," "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd," and many others, was born in Fort Worth, Texas
, but grew up in Erick from the age of three (when asked by an interviewer where Erick was near, Miller wryly replied, "It's close to extinction.") Herbert Mayfield
, one of the Mayfield Brothers of West Texas
, was born in Erick but moved to Dimmitt
, Texas
, when he was ten years of age.
Erick is now home to the Mediocre Music Makers at the Sand Hills Meat Market.
Beckham County, Oklahoma
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...
, 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 1,052 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...
.
Geography
Erick is located at 35°12′49"N 99°52′11"W (35.213549, -99.869821), elevation 2,060 feet (628 m).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 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.
Erick is located just south of I-40 and has its own business route from that highway (Also U.S. 66) In addition, the town is served by State Highway 30
State 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...
.
Erick is the approximate halfway point on I-40 from Asheville, North Carolina, to Barstow, California, the terminus of I-40 West, and is a good break point for transcontinental travelers to pull off, rest or rent a motel room—if they do not do so at an earlier point. For travelers coming from the I-40 East terminus in Wilmington, North Carolina, the halfway point will occur earlier.
Erick is also located on Historic U.S. 66.
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 1,023 people, 429 households, and 272 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 1,040.3 people per square mile (403.0/km²). There were 556 housing units at an average density of 565.4 per square mile (219.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.45% White, 0.10% African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 2.05% 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 3.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.69% of the population.
There were 429 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% 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, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 83.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,346, and the median income for a family was $28,977. Males had a median income of $23,482 versus $16,375 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 $13,855. About 22.5% of families and 25.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.4% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.
Country musicians
Erick was home to two of Country musicCountry music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
's more idiosyncratic performers. Sheb Wooley
Sheb Wooley
Shelby F. "Sheb" Wooley was a character actor and singer, best known for his 1958 novelty song "Purple People Eater"...
, the actor, songwriter, and singer who recorded the saga of the "one-eyed one-horned flying purple people eater
Purple People Eater
"Purple People Eater" is a novelty song, written and performed by Sheb Wooley, that reached #1 in the Billboard pop charts in 1958.-Composition:...
" was born there in 1921. Roger Miller
Roger Miller
Roger Dean Miller was an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor, best known for his honky tonk-influenced novelty songs...
, country superstar and author of "King of the Road," "Dang Me," "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd," and many others, was born in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
, but grew up in Erick from the age of three (when asked by an interviewer where Erick was near, Miller wryly replied, "It's close to extinction.") Herbert Mayfield
Herbert Mayfield
Herbert Earl Mayfield was a bluegrass musician and a member of the Mayfield Brothers band of West Texas. Playing the mandolin and the guitar, Mayfield played alongside his brothers, Thomas Edd Mayfield and Arlie V...
, one of the Mayfield Brothers of West Texas
West Texas
West Texas is a vernacular term applied to a region in the southwestern quadrant of the United States that primarily encompasses the arid and semi-arid lands in the western portion of the state of Texas....
, was born in Erick but moved to Dimmitt
Dimmitt, Texas
Dimmitt is a city in Castro County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,375 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Castro County. It is located on the old Ozark Trail, a road system from St. Louis, Missouri, to El Paso, Texas...
, 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...
, when he was ten years of age.
Erick is now home to the Mediocre Music Makers at the Sand Hills Meat Market.
National Register of Historic Places
- First National Bank
- West Winds Motel