Bethany, Oklahoma

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

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Bethany, Oklahoma


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

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

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 13.5
area_land_km2 = 13.5
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 5.2
area_land_sq_mi = 5.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 20307
population_density_km2 = 1504.5
population_density_sq_mi = 3896.7

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 399
elevation_ft = 1309
latd = 35 |latm = 30 |lats = 17 |latNS = N
longd = 97 |longm = 38 |longs = 20 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 73008
area_code = 405
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 40-05700GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1090023GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Bethany is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The population was 20,307 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Bethany is located at coor dms|35|30|17|N|97|38|20|W|city (35.504607, -97.638818)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 20,307 people, 8,161 households, and 5,280 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,896.7 people per square mile (1,504.9/km²). There were 8,874 housing units at an average density of 1,702.8/sq mi (657.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.79% White, 4.36% African American, 2.87% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.18% from other races, and 3.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.80% of the population.

There were 8,161 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,073, and the median income for a family was $43,905. Males had a median income of $30,180 versus $24,747 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,793. About 6.9% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The city operates using a Council/Manager system. The City Council comprises two members elected from each of the four wards. The City Manager,City Attorney, and Municipal Judge are appointed by the City Council. The Mayor is elected at large.

Mayor Bryan Taylor, at 28 years of age, became the youngest person to serve as Mayor of the City of Bethany.

Bethany Parks and Recreation system includes many small neighborhood parks, and four large parks, Elden Lyon Park, McFarland Park, Ripper Park, and Stincomb Wildlife Refuge.

Education

Bethany School District provides educational needs to citizens within it's district borders. Putnam City West is also in the Bethany city limits, but is within the Putnam City School District. School for Children on the campus of Southern Nazarene University, as well as Bethany Earl Harris Elementary are the chief educational providers for elementary aged students. Primary school goes from pre-K - 5th grade. Bethany Middle School responses to those in 6th to 8th grade. Bethany High School, home of the Bronchos (sic), is the school for grades 9-12th. There colors are purple and white. Southern Nazarene University is located near the highschool and is a private college in Bethany. Bethany has two other smaller colleges, most notable is Southwestern Christian University Two universities call the city home. Southern Nazarene University (SNU) is a four-year, private, Christian, liberal arts university. SNU offers adult degree completion and many masters programs including an MBA with evening classes. Southwestern Christian University is a Holiness/Pentecostal university specializing in Bible and Christian ministries. SWCU offers adult degree completion and master programs.

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofbethany.org/ City of Bethany Official Website]