Perry, Oklahoma

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

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Perry, Oklahoma


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

government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
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established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 17.7
area_land_km2 = 15.7
area_water_km2 = 2.0
area_total_sq_mi = 6.8
area_land_sq_mi = 6.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.8

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 9400
population_density_km2 = 332.1
population_density_sq_mi = 860.1

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 308
elevation_ft = 1010
latd = 36 |latm = 17 |lats = 29 |latNS = N
longd = 97 |longm = 17 |longs = 28 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 73077
area_code = 580
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 40-58250GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1096555GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Perry is a city in Noble County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 5,230 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Noble CountyGR|6. Located on Interstate 35, it is one of the few cities on Interstate 35 between Wichita and Oklahoma City. The city's economy is centered around [ [http://www.ditchwitch.com/dwcom/index.jsp The Charles Machine Works] ] [http://www.ditchwitch.com/dwcom/index.jsp The Charles Machine Works] , which is the world headquarters and manufacturing facility of Ditch Witch machines. Perry recently moved from a strong mayor form of government to a Home Rule Charter. The town is in the process of transitioning to a City Manager. Perry was settled in 1893 as part of the Cherokee Outlet, and was at one time referred to as Hell's Half-Acre. Profesianal wrestler, Jack Swagger, grew up in this town.

Perry is also one of a small number of towns in Oklahoma to still have a Carnegie library as its public library. It is the smallest town in Oklahoma with a daily newspaper. [ [http://www.perryok.org/history.html EARLY HISTORY OF PERRY, OKLAHOMA] Main Street of Perry]

Timothy McVeigh was stopped on April 19, 1995, along Interstate 35 just outside of Perry by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Charles J. Hanger. Hanger had passed McVeigh's yellow 1977 Mercury Marquis and noticed it had no license plate. He arrested McVeigh for carrying a loaded firearm. Three days later, while still in jail, McVeigh was identified as the subject of the nationwide manhunt. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/oklahoma/stories/ok042295.htm Arrest of Timothy McVeigh] ] [ [http://countyext.okstate.edu/nwdistrict/County%20Extension%20Offices/noble.htm] Noble County Information]

Geography

Perry is located at coor dms|36|17|29|N|97|17|28|W|city (36.291424, -97.291144)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.7 km²), of which, 6.1 square miles (15.7 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (1.9 km²) of it (10.98%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were over 9000 people, 2,203 households, and 1,445 families residing in the city. The population density was 860.1 people per square mile (332.1/km²). There were 2,493 housing units at an average density of 410.0/sq mi (158.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 39.73% White, 3.14% African American, 3.35% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 2.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 51.84% of the population.

There were 2,203 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,653, and the median income for a family was $37,731. Males had a median income of $30,485 versus $22,039 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,924. About 10.4% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

Business

The largest employer is Charles Machine Works, also known as Ditch Witch, employing over 1,300.5 people.

References

External links

* [http://www.perryok.org/ Main Street Perry/Chamber of Commerce web site]
* [http://www.perry.k12.ok.us/ Perry Public Schools]
* [http://www.perrypl.okpls.org/ Perry Carnegie Library]