Leedey, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leedey, Oklahoma
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Location of Leedey, Oklahoma
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| County | Dewey |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.45 sq mi (1.17 km2) |
| • Land | 0.45 sq mi (1.17 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,057 ft (627 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 415 |
| • Density | 922.22/sq mi (356.05/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
73654
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| Area code(s) | 580 |
| FIPS code | 40-42050 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412886 |
Leedey is a small town located in Dewey County, Oklahoma, in the United States. In 2020, about 415 people lived there.
Contents
History of Leedey
Leedey was named after Amos Leedey, who was one of the first people to settle in the area. The town's first post office opened on January 6, 1900. Amos Leedey was also the first postmaster, which means he was in charge of the post office.
Growth of the Town
Leedey became a "railroad town" in 1911. This happened when the Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway built a train line connecting it to Elk City. Being on a railroad helped the town grow because it made it easier to transport goods and people. Leedey officially became a town that same year. Both the oil industry and farming helped the town grow bigger.
1947 Tornado
On May 31, 1947, a very strong tornado, called an F5 tornado, hit Leedey. This type of tornado is the most powerful. Sadly, 7 people died, and the town was badly damaged.
Geography of Leedey
Leedey is located about 34 miles north of Interstate 40. You can reach it by taking Oklahoma State Highway 34 from Exit 41 near Elk City.
Land Area
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town covers an area of about 0.4 square miles (1.17 square kilometers). All of this area is land; there are no large bodies of water within the town limits.
Population and People
The number of people living in Leedey has changed over the years. Here is a quick look at the population counts from different years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 468 | — | |
| 1930 | 646 | 38.0% | |
| 1940 | 574 | −11.1% | |
| 1950 | 558 | −2.8% | |
| 1960 | 451 | −19.2% | |
| 1970 | 465 | 3.1% | |
| 1980 | 499 | 7.3% | |
| 1990 | 468 | −6.2% | |
| 2000 | 345 | −26.3% | |
| 2010 | 435 | 26.1% | |
| 2020 | 415 | −4.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2000
In the year 2000, there were 345 people living in Leedey. The average age of people in the town was 47 years old. About 18% of the population was under 18 years old.
Famous People from Leedey
Some notable people were born or lived in Leedey:
- Darla Hood (1931–1979) was an actress. She was famous for being in the "Our Gang" comedy series, also known as The Little Rascals.
- Pat Irwin (1921–1999) was an important judge. He served as a Justice on the Oklahoma State Supreme Court.
See also
In Spanish: Leedey (Oklahoma) para niños
