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Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

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Pittsburg County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 43,773.[1] Its county seat is McAlester.[2] The county was formed from part of the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory in 1907. County leaders believed that its coal production compared favorably with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the time of statehood.[3]

Pittsburg County
County
Pittsburg County Courthouse
Pittsburg County Courthouse
Map of Oklahoma highlighting Pittsburg County
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Map of the United States highlighting Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°56′N 95°45′W / 34.93°N 95.75°W / 34.93; -95.75
Country United States
State Oklahoma
Founded1907
Named forPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
SeatMcAlester
Largest cityMcAlester
Area
 • Total1,378 sq mi (3,570 km2)
 • Land1,305 sq mi (3,380 km2)
 • Water72 sq mi (190 km2)  5.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total43,773
 • Density32/sq mi (12/km2)
Congressional district2nd
Websitepittsburg.okcounties.org

Pittsburg County comprises the McAlester, OK micropolitan statistical area.

History

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The area forming Pittsburg County was part of the Choctaw Nation after the Choctaw tribe was forced to relocate to Indian Territory from its home in the Southeastern United States in the early 1830s. Unlike the State of Oklahoma, whose county boundaries follow the precise north–south, east–west grid provided by Oklahoma's township and range system, the Choctaw Nation established its internal divisions using easily recognizable landmarks, such as mountains and rivers, as borders. The territory of present-day Pittsburg County fell within two of the three provinces, called districts, comprising the Choctaw Nation, the Moshulatubbee District and Pushmataha District, and within those districts, into Atoka County, Jack's Fork County, Gaines County, Sans Bois County, and Tobucksy County.[4]

Some important trails, including the Texas Road and one route of the California Trail passed through what is now Pittsburg County. In 1840, James Perry established a village called Perryville that became an important stop near the place where the two trails crossed. During the Civil War, Perryville served as an important supply depot for Confederate forces until the Union Army captured and burned the town. It became defunct after the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway (MK&T) bypassed it in 1872, and the remaining inhabitants moved to McAlester. The Butterfield Overland Mail route followed a route through this area.[3]

James J. McAlester moved to the Choctaw Nation in 1872, opened a trading post and married a Chickasaw woman. This qualified him to obtain citizenship rights in the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations. When the MK&T built its line, McAlester laid claim to the coal deposits in the Perryville area, which he and some partners leased to the Osage Coal and Mining Company, which was owned by the Missouri Pacific Railroad and acquired by the MK&T in 1888.[3]

Pittsburg County was formed on July 16, 1907, as an original county from Choctaw land. County leaders, thinking its coal production compared favorably with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, named the new county after the Pennsylvania city with the "h" removed. Coal mining continued to expand until the early 20th century. Production began to decline after 1920, and never fully recovered. By 1966, the county production was no longer reported.[3]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,378 square miles (3,570 km2), of which 1,305 square miles (3,380 km2) is land and 72 square miles (190 km2) (5.3%) is water.[5] The county's topography is generally hilly to mountainous. The Ouachita Mountains extend into the southeastern portion. The Canadian River drains most of the county and with Eufaula Lake form the northern boundary of the county. The southern part of the county is drained by several creeks that flow into the Kiamichi River and then into the Red River.[3]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
191047,650—
192052,57010.3%
193050,778−3.4%
194048,985−3.5%
195041,031−16.2%
196034,360−16.3%
197037,5219.2%
198040,5248.0%
199040,5810.1%
200043,9538.3%
201045,8374.3%
202043,773−4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010[10]

As of the census of 2010, there were 45,837 people, 18,623 households, and 15,389 families residing in the county.[11] The population density was 13/km2 (34/sq mi). There were 22,634 housing units at an average density of 6/km2 (16/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 73.6% White/Caucasian, 3.3% Black or African American, 13.8% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 7.6% from two or more races; 3.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.4% were of American, 12.7% Irish, 11.3% German, 9.4% English and 7.2% Italian ancestry. Since the 2020 census, its population has declined to 43,773.[10]

In 2010, there were 18,623 households, out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.90. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.10 males.

As of 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $28,679, and the median income for a family was $35,190. Males had a median income of $28,470 versus $19,886 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,494. About 13.60% of families and 17.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.70% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 30, 2023[12]
Party Number of Voters Percentage
Democratic 8,505 32.28%
Republican 13,446 51.04%
Others 4,395 16.68%
Total 26,346 100%
United States presidential election results for Pittsburg County, Oklahoma[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 13,851 77.28% 3,768 21.02% 305 1.70%
2016 12,753 73.84% 3,711 21.49% 807 4.67%
2012 10,841 69.17% 4,831 30.83% 0 0.00%
2008 11,752 68.29% 5,457 31.71% 0 0.00%
2004 11,134 59.91% 7,452 40.09% 0 0.00%
2000 8,514 52.05% 7,627 46.63% 216 1.32%
1996 5,966 35.58% 8,475 50.55% 2,325 13.87%
1992 5,659 30.06% 8,523 45.27% 4,645 24.67%
1988 7,594 46.47% 8,623 52.77% 125 0.76%
1984 9,778 58.34% 6,860 40.93% 122 0.73%
1980 7,062 44.54% 8,292 52.29% 503 3.17%
1976 4,807 30.63% 10,743 68.46% 142 0.90%
1972 9,989 66.42% 4,748 31.57% 303 2.01%
1968 3,978 28.79% 6,112 44.24% 3,726 26.97%
1964 3,555 26.42% 9,903 73.58% 0 0.00%
1960 5,834 44.39% 7,310 55.61% 0 0.00%
1956 5,239 38.46% 8,382 61.54% 0 0.00%
1952 5,909 38.23% 9,546 61.77% 0 0.00%
1948 2,893 23.20% 9,576 76.80% 0 0.00%
1944 4,068 32.22% 8,535 67.60% 23 0.18%
1940 4,484 30.55% 10,169 69.29% 23 0.16%
1936 3,651 26.71% 9,974 72.97% 43 0.31%
1932 2,396 18.53% 10,536 81.47% 0 0.00%
1928 5,875 49.20% 5,960 49.91% 107 0.90%
1924 3,554 33.01% 6,062 56.31% 1,149 10.67%
1920 5,371 47.17% 5,361 47.08% 655 5.75%
1916 1,879 30.26% 3,441 55.42% 889 14.32%
1912 1,574 27.07% 2,767 47.59% 1,473 25.34%

Economy

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Although Pittsburg County was originally noted for its coal production, agriculture has long been important to the county economy. Just after statehood, farmers controlled 20 percent of the county's land area. The most important cash crops were corn and cotton. By 1960, sorghum had become the most important crop. In 2000, wheat had become the top crop.[3]

Manufacturing became significant when the U.S. Navy built an ammunition depot at McAlester during World War II. It employed 8,000 people in 1945. The U. S. Army took over the facility in 1977.[3]

The Corps of Engineers built Eufaula Lake between 1956 and 1964, which brought tourism, land development and a major source of hydroelectric power.[3]

Communities

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Cities

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Towns

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated places

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  • Blocker
  • Cabaniss[14] – located near the intersection of "Cabiness" Road, US Highway 270 and Twisted Creek Road.
  • Ti

Education

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School districts include:[15]

K-12:

Elementary only:

There is a Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-affiliated school and boarding facility, Jones Academy (education for grades 1–6, boarding only for grades 7–12)

NRHP sites

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Main article: National Register of Historic Places listings in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

The following sites in Pittsburg County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

References

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  1. ^ "Pittsburg County, Oklahoma". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h O'Dell, Larry. "Pittsburg County," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 4, 2015.
  4. ^ John W. Morris, Historical Atlas of Oklahoma, Plate 38.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  10. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ "Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County" (PDF). OK.gov. January 15, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  14. ^ https://roadsidethoughts.com/ok/cabaniss-xx-pittsburg-profile.htm Roadside Thoughts: Cabaniss, Pittsburg County, OK. Accessed May 8, 2022.
  15. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pittsburg County, OK" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list

34°56′N 95°45′W / 34.93°N 95.75°W / 34.93; -95.75

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