Okay, Oklahoma
Okay, Oklahoma | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 40-54100[2] | | |
GNIS feature ID | 1096195[3] |
Okay is a town along the east bank of the
Etymology and history
Okay's history as a community began circa 1806, when a French trader named Joseph Bogy established a trading post in the
The settlement had various names before 1919.
A fire destroyed most of the business district in 1936, including two general stores, a church, the post office, and two vacant buildings. Only two businesses, a filling station and a blacksmith shop, survived the disaster.[5]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), all land.[15]
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1930 | 248 | — | |
1940 | 322 | 29.8% | |
1950 | 427 | 32.6% | |
1960 | 419 | −1.9% | |
1970 | 419 | 0.0% | |
1980 | 554 | 32.2% | |
1990 | 528 | −4.7% | |
2000 | 597 | 13.1% | |
2010 | 620 | 3.9% | |
2020 | 505 | −18.5% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[16] |
As of the
There were 227 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.7% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $20,385, and the median income for a family was $23,472. Males had a median income of $21,000 versus $14,444 for females. The
Education
According to the Huffington Post, the Okay Public School Board of Education has instituted a policy of allowing teachers to have guns in their schools. On February 1, 2016, the signs that had read, "Gun Free School Zone," were replaced by signs reading, "Attention. Please be aware that certain staff members at Okay Public Schools can be legally armed and may use whatever force is necessary to protect our students."[17]
Superintendent Charles McMahan was quoted as saying that, "No specific incident caused us to pass this policy. ...With everything that is going on in the world, we've heard that you may possibly see more attacks from radical groups looking for children." McMahan pointed out that Okay has only one police officer. Other law enforcement officers can respond from Wagoner, Oklahoma in about 10 minutes. He added that about five percent of the Okay teachers are armed.[17]
Teachers participating in the program must have a concealed carry permit, a certificate from Oklahoma's Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, a psychiatric evaluation and take a shooting course three times a year. They must carry their own guns (45 caliber or less), or keep them in a locked box at school. The policy also requires the armed teachers wear an identifying badge, hat or jacket.[17]
Notable people
- NCAA Division I college basketball coach[18] and is a member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.[19]
- Katie Rain Hill, transgender writer and activisit
Notes
References
- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ CensusViewer:Population of the City of Okay, Oklahoma
- ^ a b Crocker, Jack. "Okay." The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Accessed December 6, 2018.
- ^ "Three Forks, America's First Walmart." Grand Lake News. September 25, 2017. Accessed September 25, 2017.
- ISBN 0-403-09837-8Accessed September 24, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e "Okay". The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ a b Fort Gibson and Tenkiller Ferry Lakes: Environmental Impact Statement. 1975. pp. 2–13.
- ^ "Wagoner County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
- ISBN 9781590775301. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ "Automotive Manufacturing". The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ "Hutchinson O. K. Truck Official". Automotive Industries. 43. Chilton Company: 47. July 5, 1923.
- ISSN 0024-3019.
- ^ "Okay, Oklahoma." City-Data.com. 2018. Accessed December 6, 2018.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ a b c Murdock, Sebastian. "This Town Is Encouraging Teachers To Carry Guns. Here's Their Reasoning." Huffington Post. February 6, 2016. Accessed February 6, 2016.
- ^ "Lou Henson". New Mexico State University. 2004. Archived from the original on September 30, 2016.
- ^ "Coach Lou Henson Selected to National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame". University of Illinois DIA. February 17, 2015. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.