BLACKWELL, OKLAHOMA

'Blackwell' is a city in Kay County, Oklahoma, located at the intersection of U.S. Route 177 and Oklahoma State Highway 11 along Interstate 35. The population was 7,668 at the 2000 census.

Contents

History

Environment

Attractions

Geography

Healthcare

City services

Demographics

References

External links

History

Blackwell was established following the September 16, 1893 Cherokee Outlet land run.^[1]
On May 25, 1955, a deadly 'F5' tornado struck Blackwell at approx. 9:30pm and cut a swath of destruction through the city. 20 residents died and 250 were injured. This tornado was part of a significant tornado outbreak across the Central Plains which included another 'F5' tornado that struck Udall, Kansas killing 82 people and injuring 270.[1]. The outbreak spawned 19 tornadoes across Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas alone. [2]

Environment

The United States Environmental Protection Agency operates a Superfund site in Blackwell. ^[2].

Attractions

Blackwell is home to the Top Of Oklahoma Museum.

Geography

Blackwell is located at (36.801764, -97.289856), along the Chikaskia River.

Healthcare

Blackwell and Tonkawa and the smaller surrounding communites are served by Integris Blackwell Regional Hospital.

City services

Blackwell has a full service city government, to include, electricity, water and Police and Fire Services. The police department has 15 officers, and operates 24 hours per day. The Blackwell Fire Department is staffed 24 hours per day as well, and also provides ambulance service to Blackwell and the surrounding communitities.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.1 km² (5.5 mi²). 14.1 km² (5.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.18% is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,668 people, 3,064 households, and 2,086 families residing in the city. The population density was 543.2/km² (1,407.3/mi²). There were 3,527 housing units at an average density of 249.9/km² (647.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.26% White, 4.13% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.13% African American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.17% from other races, and 4.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.91% of the population.
There were 3,064 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,835, and the median income for a family was $31,540. Males had a median income of $25,202 versus $16,704 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,558. About 13.1% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

References

1. http://www.travelok.com/cities/city.asp?city=Blackwell
2. http://oaspub.epa.gov/enviro/cerclis_web.description_report?pgm_sys_id=OKD980796023

External links

★ Blackwell Chamber of Commerce

★ ''Blackwell Journal-Tribune'', the local newspaper