Achille, Oklahoma

Achille, Oklahoma
Town
Achille, Oklahoma
Location in Oklahoma
Achille, Oklahoma
Achille, Oklahoma (the US)
Coordinates: 33°50′0″N 96°23′14″W / 33.83333°N 96.38722°W / 33.83333; -96.38722Coordinates: 33°50′0″N 96°23′14″W / 33.83333°N 96.38722°W / 33.83333; -96.38722
Country United States
State Oklahoma
County Bryan
Government
 • Type Mayor–council
 • Mayor David Northcutt
Area
 • Total 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2)
 • Land 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation 669 ft (204 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 492
 • Density 1,230/sq mi (492/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code 74720
Area code(s) 580
FIPS code 40-00100[1]
GNIS feature ID 1089519[2]

Achille is a town in Bryan County, Oklahoma, United States.[2] As of the 2010 census, the town population was 492, a 2.8 percent decrease from 506 at the 2000 census.[3] The town's name comes from a Cherokee word, atsila, meaning fire.[4]

History

The area that would become Achille was originally part of the Chickasaw Nation in Indian Territory. The Bloomfield Academy for Chickasaw girls was located 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast of present-day Achille from 1853 until 1914.[4] Cherokee refugees located to the area during the American Civil War and called it "atsila", meaning fire.[4]

The community of Achille is best known for the hiring of Bart Alsbrook, who lost his job as an Oklahoma police chief after his involvement in Neo-Nazi organizations was made public, as a member of the police department[5], and the closure of its public schools following violent threats made against a transgender student by the parents of other students. [6]

The Missouri, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad built a line that crossed the region in 1908 and a post office was established in the community in 1910.[4] The community grew from an estimated population of 50 to 500 in 1920.[4] The town's population had declined to 294 in 1960 and reached a peak number of 506 in 2000.[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1920500—
1930383−23.4%
1940356−7.0%
19503837.6%
1960294−23.2%
197038229.9%
2000506—
2010492−2.8%
Est. 2015510[7]3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

As of the census of 2010, there were 492 people residing in the town.[9] The population density was 1,230 people per square mile (492/km²). There were 213 housing units at an average density of 552 per square mile (211/km²).[9] The racial makeup of the town was 71.34% White, 0.20% African American, 22.33% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.40% from other races, and 5.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.

There were 188 households, out of which 63 (33.5%) included children under the age of 18, 82 (43.6%) were married couples living together, 36 (19.1%) consisted of a female householder with no husband present, 16 (8.5%) consisted of a male householder with no wife present, and 54 (28.7%) were non-families.[10] Households made up of a single individual living alone accounted for 46 (24.5%) of households, and 58 (30.9%) households consisted of someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[10] The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.10.[10]

In the town, the population was spread out with 25% under the age of 18, 10% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older.[10] The median age was 36.8 years.[10] For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,333,[11] and the median income for a family was $24,000. Males had a median income of $21,190 versus $14,904 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,324. 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line.[11] 39.6% of those under the age of 18 and 9.8% are 65 or older.

Economy

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma headquarters, casinos, and other operations are located in nearby Durant and serve as a major employer in the region. Agriculture and tourism are both important industries.

The town is a known speed trap.[12] The town receives over 72 percent of its revenue from traffic fines.[13] In 2016, Mayor Northcutt fired Tony Porter, the Chief of Police, for misconduct after investigations found a traffic radar calibration certificate had been altered and evidence in criminal cases was poorly managed.[14]

Government

Achille's mayor is David Northcutt, who was appointed by the city council in 2013 after the previous mayor, Randy Howard, resigned.[15]

John Wigington, Achille's mayor from 1999-2001, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading no contest to six counts related to the sexual abuse of children.[16]

Education

Achille served by Achille Independent School District. The district includes two schools, Achille Elementary School and Achille High School.

References

  1. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Achille
  3. ↑ CensusViewer:Achille, Oklahoma
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wilson, Linda D. "Achille," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 15, 2015.
  5. ↑ http://www.kxii.com/content/news/Former-Colbert-police-chief-and-admitted-former-white-supremacist-now-an-Achille-reserve-officer--493103381.html
  6. ↑ https://kfor.com/2018/08/21/family-hoping-to-leave-oklahoma-after-transgender-student-receives-threats/
  7. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Archived from the original on 2016-06-02. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. 1 2 "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data, U.S. Census. (accessed via American FactFinder Archived September 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. search of Achille town, Oklahoma on October 18, 2013)
  11. 1 2 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, U.S. Census. (accessed via American FactFinder Archived September 11, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. search of Achille town, Oklahoma on October 18, 2013)
  12. ↑ http://www.speedtrap.org/city/8783/Achille
  13. ↑ http://newsok.com/article/3924572
  14. ↑ "Achille Police Chief Fired for Alleged Misconduct While On Duty". kten.com. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2018. Posted
  15. ↑ Maranan, Victoria. "New Achille Mayor appointed". kxii.com. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  16. ↑ "Achille ex-mayor sentenced to 20 years in sex abuse of children". NewsOK.com. Retrieved 10 September 2018. John Wigington
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