Okmulgee County, Oklahoma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Okmulgee County
U.S. county
Muscogee (Creek) Council House in downtown Okmulgee.
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Oklahoma
Founded	1907
Seat	Okmulgee
Largest city	Okmulgee
Area
• Total	702 sq mi (1,820 km2)
• Land	697 sq mi (1,810 km2)
• Water	5.0 sq mi (13 km2)  0.7%%
Population  (2020)
• Total	36,706
• Density	52.29/sq mi (20.188/km2)
Congressional district	2nd

Okmulgee County is a county in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, about 36,706 people live here. The main city and county seat is Okmulgee.

This county is part of the Muscogee Nation Reservation. It was created in 1907 when Oklahoma became a state. The name Okmulgee comes from the Hitchita (Lower Creek) word okimulgi, which means "boiling waters." Okmulgee County is also part of the larger Tulsa metropolitan area.

History of Okmulgee County

The Creek Nation's Journey

The Creek Nation was forced to move to this area, then called Indian Territory, during the Trail of Tears. This happened after they signed treaties in 1826 and 1832, giving up their lands in Georgia and Alabama. The difficult move took place between 1827 and 1836.

Okmulgee as Capital

The Creek Nation government, led by Chief Samuel Checote, updated its rules in 1867. They chose Okmulgee as their capital city in 1868. A U.S. Post Office opened in Okmulgee on April 29, 1869. The Creek Nation built their first capitol building, made of logs, in 1869. This building was later rebuilt with stone in 1878.

County Formation and Growth

Okmulgee County was officially formed on July 16, 1907, from land that belonged to the Muskogee. At that time, about 14,362 people lived there. The county government offices were in the Creek Council House until 1916. That's when the current Okmulgee County Courthouse was built. The old council building was then used for other purposes. The county's population grew from 21,115 in 1910 to a high of 56,558 by 1930.

Railroads Arrive

Railroads came to the area starting in 1900. The St. Louis, Oklahoma and Southern Railway built a line through Okmulgee. Another line from Muskogee to Okmulgee was built in 1902–03. Other railways also served the county, helping people and goods move around.

Boundary Changes

In 1918, the border between Okmulgee County and McIntosh County was changed. This moved the towns of Grayson and Hoffman into Okmulgee County.

The Creek Council House Today

The Creek Council House is still standing today. The City of Okmulgee sold the building back to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in 2010. Now, it is the Creek Council House Museum. It shows artifacts and exhibits about the history of the Muscogee tribe and other Native American cultures.

Geography

Okmulgee County covers a total area of about 702 square miles. Most of this (697 square miles) is land, and about 5.0 square miles (0.7%) is water.

Lakes and Rivers

Several lakes are found in the county, including Lake Henryetta, Okmulgee Lake, and Nichols Lake. Most of Dripping Springs Lake and a small part of Oklahoma's largest lake, Lake Eufaula, are also here. The Deep Fork of the North Canadian River is the main waterway in the county.

Natural Areas

The eastern part of the county has lowlands, while the western part has plains. Okmulgee Park and Dripping Springs Park are located west and southwest of the city of Okmulgee. The Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge is in the southern part of the county. The High Spring Mountains are in the eastern part, extending south into McIntosh County.

Adjacent counties

• Tulsa County (north)
• Wagoner County (northeast)
• Muskogee County (east)
• McIntosh County (southeast)
• Okfuskee County (southwest)
• Creek County (northwest)

Population Information

As of the census in 2000, there were 39,685 people living in Okmulgee County. The population density was about 22 people per square mile. In 2020, the population decreased to 36,706.

The county's population is diverse. In 2000, about 69.73% of residents were White, 10.20% Black or African American, and 12.85% Native American. About 1.95% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

There were about 15,300 households in 2000. About 32% of these households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had about 2.53 people.

Communities

Historic Places (NRHP Sites)

Many places in Okmulgee County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. Here are some of them:

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Okmulgee para niños