Delaware County, Oklahoma

Archaeological studies have shown that at least three different periods of prehistoric people had lived in the area covered by Delaware County. These included 23 Archaic, 17 Woodland, and 63 Eastern Villager sites. Artifacts date back between 1400 and 2000 years from the present. Many of these sites have been submerged since the creation of Grand Lake o' the Cherokees.Stauber, Rose. [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=DE010 "Delaware County,"] Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, 2009. Accessed March 25, 2015.

Few Native Americans lived in the area until the early nineteenth century, when the federal government began relocating tribes from the Eastern United States. About 1820, a group of Delaware, who had allied with the Cherokee against the Osage, settled Delaware Town, about two miles south of the present town of Eucha. In 1828, the Western Cherokee moved from Arkansas Territory into the area just south of the present Delaware County. In 1832, the Seneca moved from Ohio into an area that included the northeastern part of Delaware County.

The present day county was created at statehood in 1907. Initially, Grove, the only incorporated town in the county, was designated as the county seat. However, a large number of county residents wanted a more centrally located seat. This group founded the town of Jay, where they built a wooden courthouse and won an election to move the county seat. A court suit resolved the dispute in favor of the Jay location.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|792|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|738|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|54|sqmi}} (6.8%) is water.{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_40.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 19, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}} The county lies on the western slope of the Ozark Plateau. There are no oil, gas or mineral resources of economic consequence, but the county has abundant water.

Lake Eucha, a man-made reservoir on Spavinaw Creek, completed in 1952, lies primarily within Delaware County. Grand Lake o' the Cherokees, completed in 1940, and Lake Spavinaw, completed in 1924, are partly within Delaware County. The Neosho River and the Elk River drain the northern part of the county, while Flint Creek and the Illinois River drain the southern part.

• 20px U.S. Highway 59
• 20px U.S. Highway 60
• 23px U.S. Highway 412
• 20px State Highway 10
• 20px State Highway 20
• 20px State Highway 25
• 20px State Highway 28

• Ottawa County (north)
• McDonald County, Missouri northeast)
• Benton County, Arkansas (east)
• Adair County (south)
• Cherokee County (south)
• Mayes County (west)
• Craig County (northwest)

{{US Census population

|1910= 11469

|1920= 13868

|1930= 15370

|1940= 18592

|1950= 14734

|1960= 13198

|1970= 17767

|1980= 23946

|1990= 28070

|2000= 37077

|2010= 41487

|2020= 40397

|estyear=

|estimate=

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 19, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|archive-date=April 26, 2015}}
1790-1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=February 19, 2015}} 1900-1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ok190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=February 19, 2015}}
1990-2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=February 19, 2015}} 2010{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/40041.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 9, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606154536/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/40041.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}

}}

{{Stack|File:USA Delaware County, Oklahoma age pyramid.svg}}

As of the 2010 census, there were 41,487 people, up from 37,077 people in 2000. In 2000, there were 14,838 households, and 10,772 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|50|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 22,290 housing units at an average density of {{convert|30|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. The racial makeup of the county was 70.22% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 22.31% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 6.53% from two or more races. Self-identified Hispanic or Latino Americans made up 1.75% of the population. 93.8% spoke English, 3.5% Cherokee and 2.3% Spanish as their first language. By 2020, its population declined to 40,397.

In 2010, there were 14,838 households, out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.89. In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

As of 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $27,996, and the median income for a family was $33,093. Males had a median income of $25,758 versus $19,345 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,424. About 14.10% of families and 18.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.40% of those under age 18 and 11.60% of those age 65 or over.

{{PresHead|place=Delaware County, Oklahoma|source={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=February 20, 2021}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|14,407|3,475|226|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|13,557|3,472|216|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|11,826|3,311|579|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|10,080|4,196|0|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|10,277|5,085|0|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|10,017|5,591|0|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|7,618|5,514|221|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1996|Republican|5,230|5,094|1,615|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|4,840|4,842|2,744|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,248|4,889|75|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|6,690|3,789|63|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|5,302|4,244|273|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,642|4,924|91|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|5,476|2,135|178|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,168|2,129|1,402|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,743|3,702|0|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,639|2,282|0|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,078|2,679|0|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,399|2,686|0|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,343|3,157|0|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,660|2,373|93|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|3,305|3,417|17|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,632|3,398|15|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,469|3,684|0|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,603|1,706|51|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|1,563|1,729|263|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,059|1,282|139|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|837|1,227|233|Oklahoma}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|732|983|184|Oklahoma}}

{{PresFoot|1908|Democratic|625|974|54|Oklahoma}}

• Grove
• Jay

• Bernice
• Colcord
• Kansas
• Oaks
• West Siloam Springs

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

• Brush Creek
• Bull Hollow
• Butler
• Cayuga
• Cleora
• Cloud Creek
• Copeland
• Deer Lick
• Dennis
• Dodge
• Dripping Springs
• Drowning Creek
• Flint Creek
• Indianola
• Kenwood
• Leach
• New Eucha
• Oak Hill-Piney
• Old Eucha
• Rocky Ford
• Sycamore
• Tagg Flats
• Twin Oaks
• White Water
• Zena

{{div col end}}

• Chloeta
• Eucha

Delaware County, together with Ottawa County to the north, has a large impact on tourism in Oklahoma. Said counties combined are the third-largest tourism destination in the state, following only the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas.{{cite web|url=https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/ottawa-delaware-counties-generates-million-combined-in-visitor-spending-as/article_633b0aa0-fe66-5d7e-92bd-ea43785a864e.html |title=Ottawa, Delaware counties generates $519 million combined in visitor spending as 'welcome mat' for Oklahoma|publisher=Kaylea M. Hutson-Miller, Tulsa World, October 19, 2019|access-date=October 19, 2019}}

{{Main|National Register of Historic Places listings in Delaware County, Oklahoma}}

The following sites are in Delaware County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

• Bassett Grove Ceremonial Grounds, Grove
• Beattie's Prairie, Jay
• Corey House/Hotel, Grove
• Hildebrand Mill, Siloam Springs
• Polson Cemetery, Jay
• Saline Courthouse, Rose
• Splitlog Church, Grove

K-12 school districts include:{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st40_ok/schooldistrict_maps/c40041_delaware/DC20SD_C40041.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Delaware County, OK|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2025-04-04}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st40_ok/schooldistrict_maps/c40041_delaware/DC20SD_C40041_SD2MS.txt Text list]

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Afton Public Schools
• Colcord Public Schools
• Grove Public Schools
• Jay Public Schools
• Kansas Public Schools
• Ketchum Public Schools
• Oaks-Mission Public Schools
• Westville Public Schools

{{div col end}}

Elementary school districts include:

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Cleora Public School
• Kenwood Public School
• Leach Public School
• Moseley Public School
• Turkey Ford Public School

{{div col end}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=DE010 Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Delaware County]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121024013411/http://www.library.okstate.edu/okmaps/ Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory]

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Delaware County

|North = Ottawa County

|Northeast = McDonald County, Missouri

|East = Benton County, Arkansas

|Southeast =

|South = Adair County and
Cherokee County

|Southwest =

|West = Mayes County

|Northwest = Craig County

}}

{{Delaware County, Oklahoma}}

{{Oklahoma}}

{{coord|36.41|-94.80|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-OK_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1907 establishments in Oklahoma

Category:Populated places established in 1907