Washington County, Oklahoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Washington County
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Old Washington County Courthouse in Bartlesville
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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 | George Washington |
| Seat | Bartlesville |
| Largest city | Bartlesville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 424 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
| • Land | 415 sq mi (1,070 km2) |
| • Water | 8.8 sq mi (23 km2) 2.1%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 52,455  |
| • Density | 120/sq mi (50/km2) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
Washington County is a county in the northeastern part of Oklahoma. In 2020, about 52,455 people lived there. Its main town, or county seat, is Bartlesville.
The county is named after President George Washington. It is the smallest county in Oklahoma by total area. Right next to it is Osage County, which is the largest county in Oklahoma. Washington County is part of the Bartlesville micropolitan area. This area is also included in the larger Tulsa-Muskogee-Bartlesville combined statistical area. The county is located along the border with Kansas.
Contents
History of Washington County
Early Land and Settlements
In 1825, the Osage people gave up their land claims in this area. The U.S. government then allowed the Western Cherokee to settle here in 1828. The Treaty of New Echota in 1835 confirmed that the Cherokee owned this land. From 1840 to 1856, the area was part of the Cherokee Saline District. Later, from 1856 to 1906, it was known as the Cooweescoowee District.
The first post office opened in 1859. It was located where Butler Creek meets the Caney River. This settlement was called Little Verdigris. It also had a trading post and a school. During the American Civil War, most people moved away, and the post office closed in 1866. In 1867, the Cherokees sold a large piece of land, about 157,600 acres, to the Eastern Delaware people.
Farming and Mills
In 1870, a man named Nelson Carr built a mill along the Caney River. He used it to grind corn. In 1875, he sold the mill to Jacob Bartles. The town of Bartlesville was later named after him. Jacob Bartles changed the mill to make wheat flour. Other important crops grown here included potatoes, sorghum, and oats. Farmers also harvested prairie hay and pecans. People tried to grow cotton in the early 1900s, but the soil was not good for it, so they stopped.
Oil Discovery and Growth
The first commercial oil well in Oklahoma was drilled near Bartlesville in 1897. It was called Nellie Johnstone Number One. At first, the oil industry grew slowly. This was because the Cherokee people owned the land together, and there were no easy ways to sell the oil or transport it.
Bartlesville became an "oil boom town" after 1900. This happened when oil fields were found nearby in Osage County. Also, railroads were built into the area. In 1900, Phoenix Oil Company built a pipeline. It went from Osage County to Bartlesville's train station. From there, oil was sent to a refinery in Neodesha, Kansas.
Soon after, oil fields in Washington County itself were developed. The Bartlesville Field was busiest from 1904 to 1906. Other fields like Bartlesville-Dewey, Copan, Canary, Hogshooter, and Wann were found in 1907. Several oil companies set up their main offices in the county. One of the most famous was Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville.
Railroads Arrive
Railroads came to Washington County around 1900. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway opened a line in 1899. It went from Owen to Owasso, Oklahoma. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad opened a line from Stevens, Kansas to Dewey, Oklahoma in 1901-1902. They also opened another line from Hominy, Oklahoma to Bartlesville in 1903-1904.
Geography of Washington County
Washington County has a total area of about 424 square miles. About 415 square miles are land, and 8.8 square miles (2.1%) are water. It is the second-smallest county in Oklahoma by land area. It is the smallest by total area.
The county is in a flat area called the Eastern Lowlands. The Caney River flows through it. Important lakes and reservoirs include Copan Lake, Silver Lake, and Bar-Dew Lake.
Neighboring Counties
Washington County shares borders with these other counties:
- Montgomery County, Kansas (north)
- Nowata County (east)
- Rogers County (southeast)
- Tulsa County (south)
- Osage County (west)
- Chautauqua County, Kansas (northwest)
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 17,484 | — | |
| 1920 | 27,002 | 54.4% | |
| 1930 | 27,777 | 2.9% | |
| 1940 | 30,559 | 10.0% | |
| 1950 | 32,880 | 7.6% | |
| 1960 | 42,347 | 28.8% | |
| 1970 | 42,277 | −0.2% | |
| 1980 | 48,113 | 13.8% | |
| 1990 | 48,066 | −0.1% | |
| 2000 | 48,996 | 1.9% | |
| 2010 | 50,976 | 4.0% | |
| 2020 | 52,455 | 2.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2019 2020 |
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In 2010, there were 50,976 people living in Washington County. There were 21,036 households, which are groups of people living together. About 14,123 of these were families. The population density was about 120 people per square mile.
Most people in the county were white (93.9%). About 10.3% were Native American. About 5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino. By 2020, the total population grew to 52,455 people.
In 2010, about 30.1% of households had children under 18 living with them. About 52.1% were married couples. The average household had 2.39 people. The average family had 2.91 people.
The median age in the county was 41.4 years. This means half the people were older than 41.4, and half were younger. About 23.4% of the population was under 18 years old. About 17.8% were 65 years or older.
In 2010, the median income for a household was $35,816. For a family, it was $43,514. This means half of the households earned more than this amount, and half earned less. About 11.9% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 15.7% of those under 18. By 2021, the estimated median household income was $55,216.
Towns and Cities
Cities
- Bartlesville (This is the county seat, the main town)
- Dewey
Towns
Historic Places
Many places in Washington County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.
- Bartlesville Downtown Historic District, Bartlesville
- Bartlesville Civic Center, Bartlesville
- Dewey Hotel, Dewey
- LaQuinta, Bartlesville
- Nellie Johnstone No. 1, Bartlesville
- Old Washington County Courthouse, Bartlesville
- Frank and Jane Phillips House, Bartlesville
- Price Tower, Bartlesville
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Washington (Oklahoma) para niños
