Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a South Central state of the United States (with strong Southern, Western, and Midwestern influences) and its U.S. postal abbreviation is OK; others abbreviate the state's name Okla. As of 2000, the population is 3,450,654.

Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2003, Oklahoma's population was estimated at 3,511,532 people.

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Race and ancestry

The racial makeup of the state and comparison to the prior census:

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The five largest ancestry groups in Oklahoma are German (14.5%), American (13.1%), Irish (11.8%), English (9.6%), Native American (7.9%, with Cherokees as the largest tribe).

Related Topics:
German - Irish - English - Native American

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Southeastern and south-central Oklahoma are inhabited principally by Southerners of American ancestry. German-Americans are present in the state as well, especially in the northwestern part of the state. American Indians predominate in eastern Oklahoma. Oklahomans of British ancestry dominate Tulsa and some other areas. Blacks are a plurality in Lawton and Oklahoma City, while Pittsburg county has many Irish-Americans. A few western counties have significant Mexican populations.

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6.8% of Oklahoma's population were reported as under 5, 25.9% under 18, and 13.2% were 65 or older.

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Females made up approximately 50.9% of the population.

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Descendants of these people still live in Oklahoma today.

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Counties with the names of these tribes also exist. Oklahoma has the second highest number of Native Americans/Amerindians in the country estimated at 395,219 as of 2003. Only California has a higher Amerindian population at 682,720 http://eire.census.gov/popest/data/states/ST-EST2002-ASRO-04.php. Oklahoma also has the second highest concentration of Native Americans/Amerindians in the nation with 11.4% of the state's population, topped only by Alaska at 19% of that state's population. http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/c2kbr01-15.pdf.

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Rural flight

Oklahoma, in common with five other Midwestern states (Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa), is feeling the brunt of falling populations in many communities. 89% of the total number of cities in those states have fewer than 3000 people; hundreds have fewer than than 1000. Between 1996 and 2004 almost half a million people, nearly half with college degrees, left the six states. "Rural flight" has led to offers of free land and tax breaks as enticements to newcomers in some of these states.

Related Topics:
Nebraska - Kansas - North Dakota - South Dakota - Iowa

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The effects of rural flight in Oklahoma have mostly been felt in Western Oklahoma (those areas west of Interstate 35).

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Religion

Oklahoma is an overwhelmingly Protestant Christian state. The religious affiliations of the people of Oklahoma are:

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• Christian – 85%
• Protestant – 77%
• Baptist (mostly Southern) – 32%
• Methodist – 12%
• Churches of Christ – 4%
• Pentecostal – 4%
• Presbyterian – 3%
• Assemblies of God – 3%
• Other Protestant – 19%
• Roman Catholic – 7%
• Other Christian – 1%
• Other Religions – 1%
• Non-Religious – 14%