Gene Autry, Oklahoma

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gene Autry is a town in Carter County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 99 at the 2000 census.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Attractions
5 External links

[edit] History

Originally named Lou by C.C. Henderson for his wife, the post office was established July 11, 1883. On November 22, 1883, it was renamed Dresden. The name was changed to Berwyn on September 1, 1887. Finally, on November 16, 1941, it was renamed Gene Autry to honor the singer and motion picture star, Gene Autry. Born in Texas, Autry's family had moved to Oklahoma while he was an infant. He was raised in the southern Oklahoma towns of Achille and Ravia. In 1939 he bought the 1,200 acre (4.9 km²) Flying A Ranch on the west edge of Berwyn and the town decided to honor him by changing its name. Approximately 35,000 people attended the ceremonies broadcast live from the site on Autry's Melody Ranch radio show.

[edit] Geography

Gene Autry is located at 34°16′55″N, 97°2′13″W (34.281858, -97.036927)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 99 people, 46 households, and 25 families residing in the town. The population density was 141.6/km² (362.7/mi²). There were 55 housing units at an average density of 78.7/km² (201.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 78.79% White, 5.05% African American, 7.07% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 5.05% from other races, and 3.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.08% of the population.

There were 46 households out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.5% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 115.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $16,667, and the median income for a family was $20,833. Males had a median income of $31,000 versus $13,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,295. There were 27.3% of families and 30.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 39.3% of under eighteens and 22.2% of those over 64.