Blackwell, Oklahoma

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Blackwell, Oklahoma
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Blackwell in Oklahoma.


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Oklahoma
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Kay

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title = City Manager
leader_name =
leader_title1 = Mayor
leader_name1 = Mark Cordell
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 14.1
area_land_km2 = 14.1
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 5.5
area_land_sq_mi = 5.4
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 7668
population_density_km2 = 543.4
population_density_sq_mi = 1407.3

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 309
elevation_ft = 1014
latd = 36 |latm = 48 |lats = 6 |latNS = N
longd = 97 |longm = 17 |longs = 23 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 74631
area_code = 580
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 40-06600GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1090237GR|3
website =
footnotes =

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

History

Blackwell was established following the September 16, 1893 Cherokee Outlet land run [ [http://www.travelok.com/cities/city.asp?city=Blackwell TravelOK.com: Cities and Regions ] ] by the self-proclaimed Col. A. J. Blackwell [ [http://www.kaycounty.info/PGS/ObitsB/BlackwellAJ_DN.htm Blackwell A J ] ] .

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. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxevents/19550525/] . The outbreak spawned 19 tornadoes across Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas alone. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxevents/19550525/oktornadotable.php]

In 1974 the Blackwell Zinc Smelter ceased operations. At the time it employed around 1100 people, the city's largest employer. The smelter first began operations in 1916.

Attractions

Blackwell is home to the Top Of Oklahoma Museum.

Geography

Blackwell is located at coor dms|36|48|6|N|97|17|23|W|city (36.801764, -97.289856),GR|1 along the Chikaskia River.

Healthcare

Blackwell and Tonkawa and the smaller surrounding communities are served by [http://www.integrisok.com/ 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 17 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 5.5 square miles (14.1 km²), of which, 5.4 square miles (14.1 km²) of it is land and 0.18% is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 7,668 people, 3,064 households, and 2,086 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,407.3 people per square mile (543.2/km²). There were 3,527 housing units at an average density of 647.3/sq mi (249.9/km²). 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

External links

* [http://www.blackwellchamber.org/ Blackwell Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.blackwelljournaltribune.net/ "Blackwell Journal-Tribune"] , the local newspaper