Love County
County
Love County Courthouse in October 2014
Love County Courthouse in October 2014
Map of Oklahoma highlighting Love County
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Map of the United States highlighting Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°57′N 97°15′W / 33.95°N 97.25°W / 33.95; -97.25
Country United States
State Oklahoma
Founded1907
Named forOverton Love, a judge of the Chickasaw Nation
SeatMarietta
Largest cityMarietta
Area
 • Total532 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Land514 sq mi (1,330 km2)
 • Water18 sq mi (50 km2)  3.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total10,146
 • Density19/sq mi (7.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitelove.okcounties.org

Love County is a county on the southern border of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,146.[1] Its county seat is Marietta.[2] The county was created at statehood in 1907 and named for Overton Love, a prominent Chickasaw farmer, entrepreneur and politician.[3]

For tourism purposes, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism includes Love County in 'Chickasaw Country'. Love County is also part of the Texoma region.

History

The Louisiana Purchase, effected in 1803, included all of the present state of Oklahoma except the Panhandle. Explorers and traders began travelling extensively through the area, intending to find trade routes to Santa Fe. The Quapaw were the principal Native Americans living south of the Canadian River. The Quapaws ceded their land to the American government in 1818, and were replaced by the Choctaws in the early 1830s. The Chickasaws were assigned land in the middle of Choctaw territory during 1837–8.[3]

Overton Love was one of the earliest Chickasaws who settled in present-day Love County. He was twenty years old when he arrived in Indian Territory from Mississippi in 1843. His settlement became known as Love's Valley (about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of the present town of Marietta). He later became one of the largest Chickasaw landowners and cattle raisers in the area, working 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) of Red River Bottomland. Eventually, he became a member of both houses of the Chickasaw National Council, a county and district judge, and a member of the Dawes Commission.[3]

Prior to statehood, the area now known as Love County was part of Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory. It had three incorporated towns: Marietta (the county seat, founded in 1887), Leon (established 1883) and Thackerville (established 1882). It also contained two unincorporated postal areas: Burneyville (post office established 1879) and Overbrook (post office established 1887).[3] The settlement of Courtney at the mouth of Mud Creek was settled ca. 1872 by Henry D. Courtney.

Geography

Water tower in Love County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 532 square miles (1,380 km2), of which 514 square miles (1,330 km2) is land and 18 square miles (47 km2) (3.5%) is water.[4] It is the fifth-smallest county in Oklahoma by land area.

Love County is within the Red River Plains physiographic region, with a rolling to hilly topography. The Red River and its tributaries Simon Creek, Walnut Bayou, Hickory Creek and Mud Creek drain the county. Lake Murray is on the northeastern border and Lake Texoma is on the southern border.[3]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
191010,236—
192012,43321.5%
19309,639−22.5%
194011,43318.6%
19507,721−32.5%
19605,862−24.1%
19705,637−3.8%
19807,46932.5%
19908,1579.2%
20008,8318.3%
20109,4236.7%
202010,1467.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010[9]
Age pyramid for Love County, Oklahoma, based on census 2000 data.

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 8,831 people, 3,442 households, and 2,557 families residing in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile (6.6 people/km2). There were 4,066 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.15% White, 2.19% Black or African American, 6.41% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.58% from other races, and 3.41% from two or more races. 7.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,442 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.40% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The county's median household income was $32,558, and the median family income was $38,212. Males had a median income of $30,024 versus $20,578 for females. The county's per capita income was $16,648. About 8.80% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.40% of those under age 18 and 13.80% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of January 15, 2023[11]
Party Number of Voters Percentage
Democratic 2,063 33.20%
Republican 3,007 48.39%
Others 1,111 17.88%
Total 6,214 100%
United States presidential election results for Love County, Oklahoma[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,305 81.08% 711 17.44% 60 1.47%
2016 2,922 77.12% 735 19.40% 132 3.48%
2012 2,436 70.20% 1,034 29.80% 0 0.00%
2008 2,589 67.32% 1,257 32.68% 0 0.00%
2004 2,295 59.87% 1,538 40.13% 0 0.00%
2000 1,807 53.59% 1,530 45.37% 35 1.04%
1996 1,224 37.05% 1,675 50.70% 405 12.26%
1992 922 25.06% 1,708 46.43% 1,049 28.51%
1988 1,361 41.66% 1,889 57.82% 17 0.52%
1984 1,833 57.12% 1,359 42.35% 17 0.53%
1980 1,449 47.12% 1,578 51.32% 48 1.56%
1976 846 30.45% 1,923 69.22% 9 0.32%
1972 1,407 66.75% 671 31.83% 30 1.42%
1968 677 28.52% 931 39.22% 766 32.27%
1964 663 26.25% 1,863 73.75% 0 0.00%
1960 932 39.24% 1,443 60.76% 0 0.00%
1956 731 29.39% 1,756 70.61% 0 0.00%
1952 806 29.01% 1,972 70.99% 0 0.00%
1948 249 10.20% 2,191 89.80% 0 0.00%
1944 446 18.54% 1,955 81.29% 4 0.17%
1940 687 21.58% 2,485 78.07% 11 0.35%
1936 440 16.38% 2,227 82.88% 20 0.74%
1932 187 7.16% 2,426 92.84% 0 0.00%
1928 843 39.93% 1,268 60.07% 0 0.00%
1924 479 17.56% 1,713 62.79% 536 19.65%
1920 711 28.16% 1,662 65.82% 152 6.02%
1916 266 15.15% 1,125 64.07% 365 20.79%
1912 199 14.65% 750 55.23% 409 30.12%

Economy

Love County is home to Winstar World Casino, across the Red River from the Texas-Oklahoma border. The casino is operated by the Chickasaw Nation, and is the county's largest private employer. Agriculture and ranching have been important to the county economy since its inception. Leading non-agricultural employers include the Marietta Bakery, Murray Biscuit Company, Marietta Sportswear, Robertson Hams, Rapistan Systems, Earth Energy Systems, and the Joe Brown Company. The county also produces natural gas and its co-products propane and butanes.[3]

Education

The following school districts are in Love County:

  • Turner Public Schools
  • Marietta Public Schools
  • Thackerville Public Schools
  • Greenville Public Schools

Transportation

Major highways

Airports

Public-use airports in Love County:

Communities

City

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Other Population Divisions

Census-designated places

School Districts

Political Precincts

Zip Codes

73448 73463 73456 73430 73453 73441

Area Code(s)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Love County, Oklahoma". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Susan L. Webb, and Sandra L. Thomas. "Love County," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. 2009. Accessed April 4, 2015.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  7. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  9. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ↑ "Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County" (PDF). OK.gov. January 15, 2023.
  12. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  13. ↑ Hometown Locator: Hoxbar. Accessed 11 Sep 2022.
  14. ↑ Oklahoma Historical Society: Hoxbar. Accessed 11 Sep 2022.

33°57′N 97°15′W / 33.95°N 97.25°W / 33.95; -97.25

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