May, Oklahoma
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = May, Oklahoma
|settlement_type = Town
|nickname =
|motto =
|image_skyline = May Oklahoma April 2024 Highway.jpg
|imagesize =
|image_caption = The highway into May from the east, April 2024
|image_flag =
|image_seal =
|image_map = Harper County Oklahoma incorporated and unincorporated areas May highlighted.svg
|mapsize = 260px
|map_caption = Location in Harper County and the state of Oklahoma.
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_type1 = State
|subdivision_name1 = Oklahoma
|subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name2 = Harper
|government_footnotes =
|government_type =
|leader_title =
|leader_name =
|leader_title1 =
|leader_name1 =
|established_title =
|established_date =
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 0.44
|area_land_km2 = 0.44
|area_water_km2 = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi = 0.17
|area_land_sq_mi = 0.17
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
|population_as_of = 2020
|population_footnotes =
|population_total = 29
|pop_est_as_of =
|pop_est_footnotes =
|population_est =
|population_density_km2 = 65.49
|population_density_sq_mi = 169.59
|timezone = Central (CST)
|utc_offset = -6
|timezone_DST = CDT
|utc_offset_DST = -5
|elevation_ft = 2041
|coordinates = {{coord|36|37|00|N|99|44|55|W|region:US-OK|display=inline}}
|postal_code_type = ZIP code
|postal_code = 73851
|area_code = 580
|blank_name = FIPS code
|blank_info = 40-47000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}
|blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
|blank1_info = 2412964{{GNIS|2412964}}
|website =
}}
May is a town in Harper County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town’s population was 29.{{cite web|url= https://data.census.gov/all?q=may+town,+oklahoma |title=May (Town), Oklahoma|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 6, 2023}}
A store was created at the site of the town in 1893 after the Cherokee Outlet Opening; a post office was opened in July of 1896; and, the town was platted in July of 1902, although it was not formally incorporated until November of 1913.{{cite web|url= https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=MA048 |title=May|publisher=Oklahoma Historical Society|accessdate=June 28, 2025}} The town received a significant boost in the Spring of 1912 when the Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway was built through, making May a wheat-shipping point. But the town significantly declined after World War II and the rail line was abandoned in 1972.
Geography
May is located on U.S. Highway 412 at the intersection with State Highway 46, approximately 26 miles northwest of Woodward.{{cite web|url= https://www.google.com/maps/dir/May,+OK/Woodward,+OK+73801/@36.5254364,-99.7340819,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87a88dbf04c27d5b:0x768003026100a0c1!2m2!1d-99.7473431!2d36.6169786!1m5!1m1!1s0x87a8c50e19cb177f:0x23d36f20a1802a9b!2m2!1d-99.3903862!2d36.4336481!3e0?entry=ttu |title=May, Oklahoma to Woodward, Oklahoma|publisher=Google Maps|accessdate=August 6, 2023}}
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of {{convert|0.2|sqmi|km2}}, all land. May was served by the Northwestern District of the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad until that line's abandonment in January 1973.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G64Y85Dd7GQC|title=Katy Northwest: The Story of a Branch Line Railroad|last=Hofsommer|first=Donovan L.|date=1976|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=0253336368|language=en}}
Demographics
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1920= 324
|1930= 258
|1940= 239
|1950= 143
|1970= 91
|1990= 42
|2000= 33
|2010= 39
|2020= 29
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}
}}
As of the census of 2000, there were 33 people, 17 households, and 7 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|183.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 27 housing units at an average density of {{convert|150.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.03% of the population.
There were 17 households, out of which 17.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, and 58.8% were non-families. 47.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.94 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.2% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 120.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 145.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,625, and the median income for a family was $50,313. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $19,167 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,319. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.{{clear left}}
File: May Oklahoma April 2024 Houses.jpg|Abandoned houses in May, April 2024
File: May Oklahoma April 2024 Buildings.jpg|Vacant commercial buildings in May
File: May Oklahoma April 2024 House.jpg|Dilapidated former home in May, in April 2024
File: May Oklahoma April 2024 Grain Silo.jpg|Abandoned grain silo, April 2024
In popular culture
May appears in the novel The Stand by Stephen King, and neighboring Slapout, Oklahoma is mentioned.
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- [https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=MA048 Oklahoma Historical Society's Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture: May]
{{Harper County, Oklahoma}}
{{authority control}}