VINITA, OKLAHOMA

'Vinita' is a city in south-central Craig County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 6,472 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Craig County and was the first permanent settlement in Oklahoma.

Contents

Geography

Demographics

History

Notable births

National Register of Historic Places

References

External links

Geography

Vinita is located in Northeastern Oklahoma, a region of the state known as Green Country. It sits at the base of the Ozark Highland topographical region in a mix of prairie and forest. It is located at (36.641193, -95.156676). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.3 km² (4.3 mi²), all land. Vinita is located in south central Craig County.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,472 people, 2,381 households, and 1,454 families residing in the city. The population density was 574.4/km² (1,486.9/mi²). There were 2,694 housing units at an average density of 239.1/km² (618.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 67.32% White, 6.12% African American, 14.86% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 10.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.
There were 2,381 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 105.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,511, and the median income for a family was $33,461. Males had a median income of $26,263 versus $18,182 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,980. About 14.3% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.

History

Vinita, established in 1871, was the first permanent settlement in Indian Territory and what would become Oklahoma, and later, was the first city in the state with electricity.^[1] The city was was first named Downingville, and was a primarily African American community. It was later renamed Vinita after Vinnie Ream. Award winning radio personality Samantha Adams grew up in Vinita. A McDonald's restaurant built over the top of Interstate 44 claims to be the world's largest McDonald's restaurant in terms of area, occupying 29,135 ft².^[2]

Notable births

★ Jim Edgar, former Illinois governor

★ Phil McGraw, TV personality "Doctor Phil"

★ Jay Red Eagle, Native American Flute player of The year 2006 and 2007 Cherokee

★ Yvonne Chouteau, famous Native American Ballerina

★ Blake Cook, certified okie

★ Charles Sumner Neer II, renowned shoulder surgeon and founding president of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons

National Register of Historic Places

★ Craig County Courthouse

★ First Methodist-Episcopal Church, South

★ Hotel Vinita

★ Randall Tire Company

★ Spraker Service Station

★ McDougal Filling Station

References

1. Oklahoma State Facts
2. The Pride of Vinita, Oklahoma, URL accessed 07:05, 2 April 2006 (UTC).

External links

'News from Vinita'

The American - Local newspaper


★ Vinita, Oklahoma - Crossroads of America