Delaware County, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Delaware County
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Delaware County Courthouse
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Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Oklahoma |
| Founded | 1907 |
| Named for | Delaware Indians |
| Seat | Jay |
| Largest city | Grove |
| Area | |
| • Total | 792 sq mi (2,050 km2) |
| • Land | 738 sq mi (1,910 km2) |
| • Water | 54 sq mi (140 km2) 6.8%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 40,397 |
| • Density | 51.01/sq mi (19.694/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,397. Its county seat is Jay. The county was named for the Delaware Indians, who had established a village in the area prior to the Cherokees being assigned to relocate to Indian Territory in the 1830s. Delaware County was created in 1907. Prior to becoming Delaware County, a large portion of the area was known as the Delaware District of the Cherokee Nation. Today, Delaware County continues to be recognized by the Cherokee Nation as the Delaware District.
Contents
History
Archaeological studies have shown that at least three different periods of prehistoric people had lived in the area covered by Delaware County. These included 23 Archaic, 17 Woodland, and 63 Eastern Villager sites. Artifacts date back between 1400 and 2000 years from the present. Many of these sites have been submerged since the creation of Grand Lake o' the Cherokees.
Few Native Americans lived in the area until the early nineteenth century, when the federal government began relocating tribes from the Eastern United States. About 1820, a group of Delaware, who had allied with the Cherokee against the Osage, settled Delaware Town, about two miles south of the present town of Eucha. In 1828, the Western Cherokee moved from Arkansas Territory into the area just south of the present Delaware County. In 1832, the Seneca moved from Ohio into an area that included the northeastern part of Delaware County.
The present day county was created at statehood in 1907. Initially, Grove, the only incorporated town in the county, was designated as the county seat. However, a large number of county residents wanted a more centrally located seat. This group founded the town of Jay, where they built a wooden courthouse and won an election to move the county seat. A court suit resolved the dispute in favor of the Jay location.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 792 square miles (2,050 km2), of which 738 square miles (1,910 km2) is land and 54 square miles (140 km2) (6.8%) is water. The county lies on the western slope of the Ozark Plateau. There are no oil, gas or mineral resources of economic consequence, but the county has abundant water.
Lake Eucha, a man-made reservoir on Spavinaw Creek, completed in 1952, lies primarily within Delaware County. Grand Lake o' the Cherokees, completed in 1940, and Lake Spavinaw, completed in 1924, are partly within Delaware County. The Neosho River and the Elk River drain the northern part of the county, while Flint Creek and the Illinois River drain the southern part.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 59
U.S. Highway 60
U.S. Highway 412
State Highway 10
State Highway 20
State Highway 25
State Highway 28
Adjacent counties
- Ottawa County (north)
- McDonald County, Missouri northeast)
- Benton County, Arkansas (east)
- Adair County (south)
- Cherokee County (south)
- Mayes County (west)
- Craig County (northwest)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 11,469 | — | |
| 1920 | 13,868 | 20.9% | |
| 1930 | 15,370 | 10.8% | |
| 1940 | 18,592 | 21.0% | |
| 1950 | 14,734 | −20.8% | |
| 1960 | 13,198 | −10.4% | |
| 1970 | 17,767 | 34.6% | |
| 1980 | 23,946 | 34.8% | |
| 1990 | 28,070 | 17.2% | |
| 2000 | 37,077 | 32.1% | |
| 2010 | 41,487 | 11.9% | |
| 2020 | 40,397 | −2.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010 |
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As of the 2010 census, there were 41,487 people, up from 37,077 people in 2000. In 2000, there were 14,838 households, and 10,772 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile (19 people/km2). There were 22,290 housing units at an average density of 30 units per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 70.22% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 22.31% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 6.53% from two or more races. Self-identified Hispanic or Latino Americans made up 1.75% of the population. 93.8% spoke English, 3.5% Cherokee and 2.3% Spanish as their first language. By 2020, its population declined to 40,397.
In 2010, there were 14,838 households, out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% 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 2.89. In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.
As of 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $27,996, and the median income for a family was $33,093. Males had a median income of $25,758 versus $19,345 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,424. About 14.10% of families and 18.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.40% of those under age 18 and 11.60% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Towns
Census-designated places
Other unincorporated communities
NRHP sites
Delaware County, together with Ottawa County to the north, has a large impact on tourism in Oklahoma. Said counties combined are the third-largest tourism destination in the state, following only the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas.
The following sites are in Delaware County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
- Bassett Grove Ceremonial Grounds, Grove
- Beattie's Prairie, Jay
- Corey House/Hotel, Grove
- Hildebrand Mill, Siloam Springs
- Polson Cemetery, Jay
- Saline Courthouse, Rose
- Splitlog Church, Grove
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Delaware (Oklahoma) para niños
