Kingfisher, Oklahoma
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Kingfisher is a city located in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 4,380. It is the county seat of Kingfisher CountyTemplate:GR.
Kingfisher is one of those towns which came into existence on April 22,1889, when land owned by the federal government was opened to settlement by "land run." A huge area in what is now central Oklahoma was literally "peopled" by European-Americans overnight. The city is situated on a part of the Chisholm Trail, over which millions of Texas longhorns were driven to railheads in Kansas in the years immediately following the Civil War. Extension of the railroads and settlement of the open range ended this colorful era. Kingfisher's main permanent tourist attractions are the Chisholm Trail Museum, and the Gov. Seay Mansion nearby. These facilities preserve relics and information of the community's unique heritage.
Economically, the Kingfisher County Development Foundation was created in 1958 for the purpose of assisting and promoting industrial, economic and civic growth within, and surrounding the Kingfisher area of Oklahoma. By better serving the needs of business development and investment, the K.C.D.F.'s pursuit of economic stability and growth has benefited its merchants, city, schools, hospital and citizens. A present K.C.D.F. strategy includes the investment for development of the Kingfisher Industrial Park. The industrial park is located just south of Kingfisher, further closing the gap between Oklahoma City and Kingfisher. Investing and the development of incentives for builders and developers in Kingfisher have never been so promising, as it quickly becomes bedroom suburban community of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area, already home to many commuters to the big city.
Kingfisher is a Certified City and has received a Community Development Block Grant to inventory infrastructure features for Capital Improvement Planning (CIP).
Geography
Kingfisher is located at 35°51'22" North, 97°56'4" West (35.856216, -97.934517)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.7 km² (4.1 mi²). 10.7 km² (4.1 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 4,380 people, 1,727 households, and 1,172 families residing in the city. The population density is 408.5/km² (1,058.9/mi²). There are 1,935 housing units at an average density of 180.5/km² (467.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 85.05% White, 1.96% African American, 5.71% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.00% from other races, and 2.81% from two or more races. 6.10% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,727 households out of which 31.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% are married couples living together, 9.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% are non-families. 28.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 16.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 3.03.
In the city the population is spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $36,059, and the median income for a family is $47,037. Males have a median income of $31,818 versus $17,750 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,117. 11.3% of the population and 9.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.