Alex, Oklahoma

Alex is a town in Grady County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 550 at the 2010 census.[2]

Alex, Oklahoma
Town
Location of Alex, Oklahoma
Coordinates: 34°54′55″N 97°46′47″W
CountryUnited States
StateOklahoma
CountyGrady
Area
 • Total6.67 sq mi (17.27 km2)
 • Land6.67 sq mi (17.27 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,033 ft (315 m)
Population
 • Total550
 • Estimate 
(2018)[3]
549
 • Density82.32/sq mi (31.78/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
73002
Area code(s)405
FIPS code40-01250[4]
GNIS feature ID1089579[5]

History

The town, now locally pronounced Elik, bears the name of an early settler, an intermarried Chickasaw, named William Vinson Alexander whose wife, Martha, served as the first postmistress, after the post office was established in Alexander's store in December 1885. Alexander established the First State Bank on October 3, 1907.[6][7]

Alex was almost destroyed on July 7, 1906, when a tornado hit the town. The business district was mostly rebuilt a year later, with a drug store, a variety store and three general stores. The Alex Tribune newspaper was first published in 1907 and continued in business until the 1940s. The town incorporated in 1910.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17 km2), all of it land. It lies 10 miles (16 km) south of Chickasha, Oklahoma.[6]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1920478—
193059825.1%
1940544−9.0%
19505633.5%
1960545−3.2%
1970492−9.7%
198076956.3%
1990639−16.9%
2000635−0.6%
2010550−13.4%
Est. 2018549[3]−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

At the 2010 census, there were 550 people living in the town.[2] The population density was 82 people per square mile (32/km²). There were 289 housing units at an average density of 42 per square mile (15/km²).[2] The racial makeup of the town was 91.18% White, 6.30% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.79% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.89% of the population.

Of the 254 households 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 26.4% of households were one person and 14.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 27.2% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median household income was $27,353 and the median family income was $31,364. Males had a median income of $29,750 versus $21,563 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,455. About 15.1% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Alex is primarily a farm community. The main crops are wheat and alfalfa. Livestock raising is also important.[6]

References
  1. "2018 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Feb 12, 2020.
  2. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. Jackson, Gwen. "Alex." Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture." Accessed December 28, 2015.
  7. "Oklahoma's Strangely Named Towns". KWTV. Archived from the original on December 18, 2001. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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