Jenks, Oklahoma Facts for Kids

Jenks is a city located in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, in the United States. It is a suburb of the larger city of Tulsa. Jenks is known for being one of the fastest-growing cities in Oklahoma. In 2010, about 16,924 people lived there. By 2020, the population had grown to 25,949, and it was estimated to be around 27,553 in 2023.

History of Jenks
Geography of Jenks
Population and People
Community and Fun Things to Do
Economy of Jenks
Notable People from Jenks
See also

History of Jenks

Jenks started in 1904 as a small community. It was built by the Midland Valley Railroad between the cities of Tulsa and Muskogee. The town was also located next to the Arkansas River. Even though the river could only be used by small steamboats when the water was high, both the railroad and the river were very important for Jenks to grow.

How Jenks Got Its Name

The city was named after William Henry Jenks. He was the owner and director of the Midland Valley Railroad. An agent from the railroad company was told to name a new town after him.

Early Growth and Oil Discovery

Jenks was officially planned out on July 15, 1905. In the same year, a big discovery of petroleum (oil) happened nearby. This oil discovery, called the "Glenn Pool" oil well, brought many businesses and people to the area. By 1906, many oil storage areas, known as "tank farms," were built in Jenks. When Oklahoma became a state, Jenks had 465 residents.

Farming and Floods

As oil production slowed down, the tank farms were taken apart. Farming became important again for Jenks' economy. In the 1920s, many families from Bulgaria moved to the area to farm vegetables, which helped the local economy even more.

From 1904 to the 1950s, Jenks often experienced floods from the Arkansas River and Polecat Creek. The floods in the 1920s and 1930s were very serious. During one flood, the water was so deep that it covered almost every building, except for the roof of the three-story high school. In 1948, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a protective wall, called a levee, around Jenks. This made the community safer and helped it grow.

Bridges Over the Arkansas River

Jenks has been an important place for crossing the river for over a hundred years.

In 1910, a single-lane bridge was built, which helped the local economy.
In 1948, a new two-lane bridge was built to replace the old one. This bridge is still there today and is used by people walking between the Riverwalk and the South Tulsa River Parks. The original 1910 bridge was destroyed, and only a few parts of it can be seen when the water is low.
A four-lane bridge was built in 1996 to handle more traffic.

Modern Developments

The current High School building was built in 1960-61 and has been expanded three times. In the 1970s, the water system in Jenks was improved, and a power plant was built nearby. These changes helped the city's infrastructure and economy. In the 1980s, a company called Kimberly-Clark built a factory in Jenks, which created many jobs.

Geography of Jenks

Jenks is located at 36°0′37″N 95°58′47″W / 36.01028°N 95.97972°W / 36.01028; -95.97972. The city has a total area of about 17.73 square miles (45.92 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 17.13 square miles (44.37 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.6 square miles (1.55 square kilometers), is water.

Population and People

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1910	290	—
1920	1,508	420.0%
1930	1,110	−26.4%
1940	1,026	−7.6%
1950	1,037	1.1%
1960	1,734	67.2%
1970	2,685	54.8%
1980	5,876	118.8%
1990	7,493	27.5%
2000	9,577	27.8%
2010	16,924	76.7%
2020	25,949	53.3%
2023 (est.)	27,553	62.8%
Sources: 2020 U.S. Decennial Census

In 2010, Jenks had 16,924 people living in 5,954 households. Most of the people were White, but there were also African American, Native American, Asian, and people of two or more races. About 4.8% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino background.

Community and Fun Things to Do

Jenks has many popular places to visit and fun activities.

Oklahoma Aquarium

One of the biggest attractions is the Oklahoma Aquarium. It is the only standalone aquarium in the state and has many different kinds of sea creatures to see.

The Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks is a popular place to visit.

The Ten District

Jenks' downtown area, known as The Ten District, has ten blocks filled with interesting shops. You can find unique boutiques, delicious restaurants, and many antique and art stores. Jenks was even called the "Antique Capital of Oklahoma" by a former first lady of Oklahoma! You can spend a whole day walking around and exploring.

Outdoor Activities and Sports

When the weather is nice, you can enjoy the beautiful flowers in pots provided by the Jenks Garden Club. A special pedestrian bridge connects the Jenks riverfront to the Tulsa Riverparks walking trail. This is a great place for walking or biking.

Jenks is also famous for its high school football team, the Trojans. They have won 14 state championships, including six in a row from 1996 to 2001! Many players from Jenks High School have gone on to play football in college and even in the NFL. Some well-known players include Rocky Calmus, Sean Mahan, and Phillip Dillard.

Festivals and Schools

Jenks hosts many street festivals and parades each year. One popular event is "Art on Main," which brings in thousands of visitors. The Jenks School District is one of the largest in Oklahoma. Many of the Jenks schools are actually located within the city of Tulsa. In 2005, Jenks Public Schools received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. This is a very high honor from the President for excellent quality and performance.

Economy of Jenks

Jenks is a center for many businesses. In 1958, the Richard Lloyd Jones Jr. Airport opened near Jenks. This airport helps reduce traffic at Tulsa International Airport and is one of the busiest in Oklahoma. It helps with commercial and private air travel and has helped Jenks' economy grow.

Many companies have their main offices in Jenks. These include Kimberly Clark Corporation, Green Country Energy, Public Service Company, Tulsa Winch, Continental Wire Cloth, and Tedford Insurance. Jenks is also home to First Oklahoma Bank, which built an eight-story building in 2012.

Notable People from Jenks

Many interesting people have come from Jenks or attended its schools:

Jennifer Berry, who was crowned Miss America in 2006.
Jim Bridenstine, who served as a U.S. Representative and later became the administrator of NASA.
Rocky Calmus, a football player who won the Butkus Award.
Sean Mahan, an NFL player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ryan Tedder, the lead singer of the band OneRepublic.

Jenks, Oklahoma facts for kids

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