Stillwater, Oklahoma

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Stillwater, Oklahoma
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto = Where Oklahoma Began!

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imagesize = 250px
image_caption = Downtown Stillwater


image_



mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in the State of Oklahoma


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Oklahoma
subdivision_name2 = Payne
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Roger L. McMillian
established_title = Incorporated
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 28.3
area_total_km2 = 73.3
area_land_sq_mi = 27.9
area_land_km2 = 72.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.5
area_water_km2 = 1.2
population_as_of = 2007
population_total = 46976
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 541.6
population_density_sq_mi = 1402.7
timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
latd = 36 |latm = 7 |lats = 18 |latNS = N
longd = 97 |longm = 4 |longs = 7 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 300
elevation_ft = 984
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 74074-74078
area_code = 405
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 40-70300GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1098541GR|3
footnotes =
website = http://www.stillwater.org/

Stillwater is a city in Payne County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 39,065 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Payne CountyGR|6. Founded December 12, 1884 it was the first settlement in the Unassigned Lands. The geographical position of Stillwater is located Northeast of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area though many consider it to be a satellite exuburb of Oklahoma City, due to commuter patterns and other indicators.

Geography

Stillwater is located at coor dms|36|7|18|N|97|4|7|W|city (36.121538, -97.068537)GR|1, 50 miles North Northeast of downtown Oklahoma City. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.3 square miles (73.3 km²), of which, 27.9 square miles (72.1 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.2 km²) of it (1.62%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 39,065 people, 15,604 households, and 7,318 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,402.7 people per square mile (541.6/km²). There were 16,827 housing units at an average density of 604.2/sq mi (233.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.48% White, 4.30% African American, 3.89% Native American, 5.05% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 3.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.50% of the population.

It should be noted that more than 25,000 students are enrolled at Oklahoma State University [ [http://system.okstate.edu/planning/plans/viewplans_stw.php Oklahoma State University System ] ] and these numbers represent a sizable fraction of the population above.

There were 15,604 households out of which 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 53.1% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 15.2% under the age of 18, 38.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 13.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 102.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,432, and the median income for a family was $41,938. Males had a median income of $31,623 versus $22,312 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,789. About 12.6% of families and 27.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy and culture

Oklahoma State University is the largest employer, biggest land-owner, and cultural center of the town. Stillwater has undergone tremendous changes in the past decade with the opening of several new strip malls and shopping centers. More national chains are moving in to replace regional and locally owned businesses, fueled by the expanding population and bulging youth demographic. This trend has led to a decline in downtown Stillwater; however, some residents of Stillwater are advocating plans to revitalize the city's downtown area. The Oklahoma State Cowboys (Cowgirls for women's teams) are the athletic teams that represent OSU. Their mascot is a cowboy named Pistol Pete.

There was a thriving bar district near campus referred to as "The Strip." Although the Strip technically is only Washington Street between 6th Street (Highway 51) and University Street, colloquially it can also cover other bars within walking distance, such as the Stonewall or Eskimo Joe's. Many of these bars have shut down, shortened opening hours, and been resold. The national success of Stillwater bands Kunek, All-American Rejects, and Colourmusic hint at possibilities of seeing good local music at any of the bars or venues located there.

The thriving economy of Stillwater is dictated by the college and the accompanying swell of population. Many businesses, especially restaurants, cafes or bars, shorten their hours during the summer. Weekend hours often are expanded to include Thursday, which is becoming as popular of a night to party as Friday and Saturday. With the influx of new restaurants, bars, and a growing population, students are spending more weekends in Stillwater during the school year. Parking is premium on Saturdays during American football games, and many residents earn extra money selling lawn-parking for anywhere from $10-30.

The college culture has led to numerous provisions by the city to limit loud, drunken parties. Oklahoma law prohibits alcohol sale after 2am, and that is when all the bars close as well. Police cars can be seen hovering around The Strip around 2am to enforce the law. Stillwater city ordinance prohibits the consumption of alcohol in public, including the front of a property and the sidewalks. Enforcement depends on the neighborhood and size of the party.

Unemployment is low, and with its modern cultural international flavor and middle American warmth and values, Stillwater continues to attract national attention as a desirable place to live with many former OSU students returning to raise their families or retire. Stillwater was rated by Golf Digest Fact|date=March 2008 as one of the top ten best places to retire and play golf. An Oklahoma-based magazine has also recently rated Stillwater to be the "Friendliest City in Oklahoma."

Education

Post Secondary

*Oklahoma State University
*Northern Oklahoma College
* Lincoln Alternative School

CareerTech

*Meridian Technology Center

Items of interest

*Stillwater hosted the 2007 US Chess Championship May 15-23, 2007
*Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education is located in Stillwater
*Rock band The All-American Rejects formed in Stillwater.
*Stillwater is home to Red Dirt, a branch of alternative country music that is quickly gaining popularity in much of the United States; Alternative country bands Jason Boland & the Stragglers and The Great Divide, were formed in Stillwater. Cross Canadian Ragweed also called Stillwater home during their early years.
*Stillwater is home to Oklahoma State University with enrollment of over 21,000 students in 2002. Notable alumni include country singer Garth Brooks and former NFL running backs Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders. Chester Gould, creator of the "Dick Tracy" comic strip, attended the school when it was known as Oklahoma A&M.
*The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum was dedicated in 1976 in Stillwater. [ [http://www.wrestlinghalloffame.com/ Wrestling Hall of Fame] ]
*The well-known restaurant Hideaway Pizza was established here in 1957. [ [http://www.hideawaypizza.net/ Hideaway Pizza] ]
*The game Pente was invented in Stillwater at Hideaway Pizza.
*A popular hangout for tourists, Eskimo Joe's restaurant is on Elm street near the OSU campus. Locals claim that the Eskimo Joe's T-Shirt is the second most collected t-shirt in the world, after the Hard Rock Cafe T-Shirts. [ [http://www.eskimojoes.com Eskimo Joe's - Stillwater, OK ] ]
*Stillwater is home to Premier Longhorns, raising registered Texas Longhorn cattle. [ [http://americancowman.com/Meet_a_Real_Cowman/cowman-neal-deedee-strauss Meet A Real Cowman: Neal and DeeDee Strauss] ]
*James Marsden, Cyclops in the movie X-Men, was born in Stillwater and attended Oklahoma State University. Actor Gary Busey also attended Oklahoma State, dropping out one class short of graduation.
*The [http://www.sheerarmuseum.org Sheerar Museum] houses a collection of historical artifacts of daily life from before and through the time of Oklahoma's statehood.
*Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum is located here.
*Stillwater is served by the Pawnee Bill District, Cimarron Council of the Boy Scouts of America
*Stillwater is home to two eighteen-hole disc golf courses located at Hoyt Grove and Boomer Lake Park.
*Stillwater is home of the first Sonic Drive-In restaurant.
*Major League Baseball All-Star left fielder Matt Holliday was born in Stillwater on January 15, 1980. Holliday plays for the Colorado Rockies.
*Oklahoma Sooners defensive Line Coach Jackie Shipp attended Stillwater High School, 1977-1980.
*Jimmy Johnson, former Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys, coached OSU's football team, 1979-1983.

References

External links

* [http://www.stillwateronlineforum.com Stillwater's online community]
* [http://www.stillwater.org/ City of Stillwater Website]
* [http://www.visitstillwater.org Stillwater Convention & Visitors Bureau]
* [http://www.stillwater-newspress.com/ Stillwater NewsPress] , daily newspaper
* [http://osu.okstate.edu/ Oklahoma State University]
* [http://www.okcareertech.org Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education]