Enid, Oklahoma

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Enid is a city in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 47,045 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Garfield County^GR6.

[edit] Geography

Located in Northwestern Oklahoma, Enid sits at the eastern edge of the Great Plains. It is located at 36°24′2″N, 97°52′51″W (36.400583, -97.880784)^GR1, 70 miles North of Oklahoma City. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 74.1 square miles (191.8 km²), of which, 74.0 square miles (191.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.12%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 47,045 people, 18,955 households, and 12,567 families residing in the city. The population density was 636.0 people per square mile (245.6/km²). There were 21,255 housing units at an average density of 287.3/sq mi (110.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.18% White, 3.91% African American, 2.12% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.58% Pacific Islander, 2.36% from other races, and 2.84% from two or more races. 4.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 18,955 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,227, and the median income for a family was $39,113. Males had a median income of $29,841 versus $20,865 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,471. 14.8% of the population and 11.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.1% of those under the age of 18 and 10.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

[edit] History

Enid was founded during the opening of the Cherokee Outlet by land run in 1893. Today, the history of this era is preserved at the Museum of the Cherokee Strip, located in Enid. Vance Air Force Base was founded in 1941 on land leased by the city of Enid to the United States Army Air Forces, now the United States Air Force. Enid was once home to Champlin Petroleum; the H. H. Champlin mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places. The town's early history was captured in The Cherokee Strip by Pulitzer-winning author Marquis James, who recounts his boyhood in Enid.

The origin of the name Enid is something of a mystery, although it is considered likely to be a reference to a character in Alfred Lord Tennyson's Idylls of the King. However, a more fanciful story is much more popular. According to that tale, in the days following the land run, some enterprising settlers decided to set up a chuckwagon and cook for their fellow pioneers, hanging a sign that read "DINE". Some other, more free-spirited settlers, turned that sign upside down, to read, of course, "ENID". The name, as they say, stuck.

[edit] Education

Enid has several institutions of education. Chisholm High School, Enid High School, and Oklahoma Bible Academy are the city's largest secondary education schools. Autry Technology Center serves as the city's only vocational education institution, while Northern Oklahoma College is the city's two-year public college.

[edit] Notable Residents

• Terry Polwort - Pilot
• Sam Boyd - Casino Owner
• Clyde Cessna - Pilot
• Eileen Marie Collins - Pilot
• Melissa Dell - Rhodes Scholar
• Glenda Farrell - Actress
• Sara Faibisoff - Pilot
• Owen K. Garriott - Astronaut
• Don Haskins - Hall Of Fame Coach
• Glenn Hauser - DXer
• Michael Hedges - Guitarist
• Marquis James - Author
• Stephen Jones - Attorney
• Harold Kiner - Medal Of Honor Recipient
• Thad Luckinbill - Actor
• Leona Mitchell - Opera Singer
• Mark Price - NBA
• Brent Price - NBA
• Leon Vance - Medal Of Honor Recipient
• Yahweh Ben Yahweh - Religious Leader

[edit] Sports

[edit] Baseball

Enid Majors won the American Legion World Series 2005.

[edit] Basketball

The Oklahoma Storm USBL franchise calls Enid home. Through their many years in Enid, they have been very successful, winning their division numerous times, as well as a USBL Championship. The Storm play their games at Mark Price Arena and the Chisholm Trail Expo Center.

[edit] Football

The Enid High School Plainsmen went to the Oklahoma State Championship football game in 2006 and lost to the Jenks Trojans.

[edit] Trivia

• Various references to Enid, Oklahoma are made in Jurassic Park III.(ex. "I dare 'em to nest in Enid, Oklahoma!" was the final line of the movie)
• Some scenes from the movie, Dillinger, were filmed in front of the Mark Price Arena and the Grand Saloon
• Enid, Oklahoma has the most grain storage capacity in the United States.
• Ranked the 28th best place in the nation to raise a family in a Reader's Digest poll.
• The Geronimo automobile was manufactured in Enid, Oklahoma.
• Enid was featured on A Current Affair for a story on religious exorcisms which were being performed for large amounts of money.

[edit] External links

• Urban OK Forums -- Enid Civic & Development Discussion

• Enid, Oklahoma is at coordinates 36°24′02″N 97°52′51″W / 36.400583, -97.880784Coordinates: 36°24′02″N 97°52′51″W / 36.400583, -97.880784

Enid was listed in the March 2004 issue of Inc Magazine as one of the top 25 small cities in the midwest for doing business. See the following link for details.

• http://www.inc.com/magazine/20040301/top25.html

The Enid News & Eagle

• http://www.enidnews.com

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