Braman is a town in Kay County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 160 at the time of the 2020 Census.

History

Braman was named for railroad developer Dwight Braman, when its post office was first established on April 22, 1898. In that year, the Kansas and Southeastern Railroad—which was bought by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad (AT&SF) in 1899—built a track from Hunnewell, Kansas to Braman. The following year, the Blackwell and Southern Railway—which was bought by the AT&SF in 1900—continued the line south through Blackwell to Tonkawa. Meanwhile the town, located inside the Kansas-Oklahoma state line, officially incorporated on January 9, 1899. There were 249 residents in 1900, growing to 300 by statehood in 1907.

In 1920, the population was 396 and the local economy was largely based on wheat farming. Oil was discovered nearby during the 1920s, briefly attracting a peak population of nearly five thousand, but the population dropped quickly to 507 in 1930. This was the highest number ever recorded in the census for Braman. It has remained an agricultural center since then.

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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Braman had a population of 160. The median age was 34.3 years. 30.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 131.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 111.3 males age 18 and over.

There were 54 households in Braman, of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.0% were married-couple households, 27.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 18.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

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| White || 137 || 85.6%

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| Black or African American || 0 || 0.0%

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| American Indian and Alaska Native || 9 || 5.6%

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| Asian || 0 || 0.0%

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| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%

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| Some other race || 1 || 0.6%

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| Two or more races || 13 || 8.1%

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| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 6 || 3.8%

|}

2000 census

As of the census

Braman has freight rail service through Land Rush Rail Corporation ("LRRC"), an affiliate of Farmrail, as replacement for the Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad which operated the line between 2006 and 2024.

The nearest airfield is Blackwell-Tonkawa Municipal Airport (FAA Identifier: BKN), about 12 miles south, with a 3501’ x 60’ paved runway.

Notable person

  • Dale DeWitt, the former majority leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, resides in Braman.

References

  • Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Braman
  • Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory
  • Ponca City Centennial Guide