Hooker is a city in Texas County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city’s population was 1,802. It is located approximately 20 miles northeast of Guymon on US Route 54 highway.

Toponymy

The city name honors local cattle foreman John “Hooker” Threlkeld, who came to the area in 1873. It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names. The city's motto, referring to the alternative interpretation of its name, is "It's a location, not a vocation".

History

In 1902, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway laid tracks from Liberal, Kansas southwest through the Hooker area to Texhoma, Texas area. In 1904, the Chicago Townsite Company oversaw the organization and sale of town lots, and the city quickly grew. In 1927 the Beaver, Meade and Englewood Railroad (BM&E) built an east–west line to Hooker.

Geography

Hooker is located at (36.861425, −101.213915). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Climate

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Hooker had a population of 1,802, and the median age was 32.9 years; 32.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.0 males age 18 and over.

0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 636 households in Hooker, of which 42.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 56.0% were married-couple households, 15.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Percent

|-

| White || 58.4%

|-

| Black or African American || 0.1%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 1.1%

|-

| Asian || 0.3%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0%

|-

| Some other race || 23.4%

|-

| Two or more races || 16.6%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 44.6%

|}

2000 census

As of the 2000 census

Commercial air transportation is available out of Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport in Kansas, about 21 miles to the northeast.

Rail freight service is available from the Union Pacific Railroad.

NRHP Sites

The Hooker Woodframe Grain Elevator off Texas Avenue, as well as the Elmer Baker Barn off Mile 47 Road, are NRHP-listed.

Education

It is in the Hooker Public Schools school district.<!--UNI 15090-->

Notable person

  • Sandra Giles (1932–2016), actress, raised in Hooker

References

  • City of Hooker
  • Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - Hooker