Grady County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 54,795. Its county seat is Chickasha. It was named for Henry W. Grady, an editor of the Atlanta Constitution and southern orator.

Grady County is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

History

Grady County was part of the land given to the Choctaw by the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, in exchange for property in the southeastern United States. In 1837, the Chickasaw joined the Choctaws, and in 1855 a treaty separated the two tribes, and the Chickasaw acquired an area that included much of Grady County. Most of the present Grady County became a part of Pickens County in the Chickasaw Nation. The county lies in the Red Bed Plains, and is mostly covered with rolling prairie. The Canadian River forms the northern boundary and the Washita River runs through the middle.

| align-fn = center

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<br />1790-1960 1900-1990<br />1990-2000 2010

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, the county had a population of 54,795. Of the residents, 24.0% were under the age of 18 and 16.9% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.0 males.

The racial makeup of the county was 78.7% White, 2.4% Black or African American, 5.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 2.2% from some other race, and 10.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.4% of the population., there were 45,516 people, 17,341 households, and 12,797 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 19,444 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 87.31% White, 3.06% Black or African American, 4.85% Native American, 0.34% Asians, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 3.28% from two or more races. 2.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 17,341 households, out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.70% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,625, and the median income for a family was $39,636. Males had a median income of $30,306 versus $21,108 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,846. About 10.40% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.90% of those under age 18 and 14.60% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

{| class=wikitable

! colspan = 6 | Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 30, 2023

|-

! colspan = 2 | Party

! Number of Voters

! Percentage

|-

|

| Democratic

| align = center | 6,956

| align = center | 20.48%

|-

|

| Republican

| align = center | 21,586

| align = center | 63.56%

|-

|

| Others

| align = center | 5,420

| align = center | 15.96%

|-

! colspan = 2 | Total

! align = center | 33,962

! align = center | 100%

|}

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Communities

Cities

  • Blanchard (partially in McClain County)
  • Chickasha (county seat)
  • Minco
  • Tuttle

Towns

  • Alex
  • Amber
  • Bradley
  • Bridge Creek
  • Ninnekah
  • Norge
  • Pocasset
  • Rush Springs
  • Verden

Census-designated place

  • Middleberg

Unincorporated communities

  • Cox City
  • Tabler

Ghost towns

  • Agawam
  • Acme
  • Bailey

NRHP sites

The following sites in Grady County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

  • Chickasha Downtown Historic District, Chickasha
  • Grady County Courthouse, Chickasha
  • Griffin House, Chickasha
  • Jewett Site, Bradley
  • Knippelmeir Farmstead, Minco vicinity
  • Minco Armory, Minco
  • New Hope Baptist Church, Chickasha
  • Oklahoma College for Women Historic District, Chickasha
  • Pocasset Gymnasium, Pocasset
  • Rock Island Depot, Chickasha
  • Silver City Cemetery, Tuttle
  • US Post Office and Federal Courthouse, Chickasha
  • Verden Separate School, originally in Verden but relocated to Chickasha

Notable people

  • Tomassa (–1900), translator

References

Further reading

  • Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Grady County
  • Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory