Keyes is a town in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town’s population was 276.

History

Keyes was established in 1925 by the Elkhart and Santa Fe Railway (both leased to and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway). The company named the town after a deceased railroad engineer.

Keyes was also the final destination of the Beaver, Meade and Englewood Railroad, which reached town from the east on June 25, 1931. That line was abandoned in 1972.

Geography

Keyes is located at .

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.

Keyes is at the intersection of U.S. Route 56 and the northern terminus of Oklahoma State Highway 171. Keyes is approximately 16 miles northeast of the Cimarron County seat, Boise City, and about 26 miles southwest of Elkhart, Kansas.

The closest major airport is Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport, about 91 miles.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Keyes had a population of 276. The median age was 50.5 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 110.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.8 males age 18 and over.

There were 128 households in Keyes, of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.0% were married-couple households, 25.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 229 || 83.0%

|-

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

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 0 || 0.0%

|-

| Asian || 0 || 0.0%

|-

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

|-

| Some other race || 27 || 9.8%

|-

| Two or more races || 20 || 7.2%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 42 || 15.2%

|}

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 324 people, 131 households, and 88 families residing in the town. There were 234 housing units. The median age was 43.0 years. Males had a median income of $36,750 versus $40,833 for females.

Notable people

  • Jack Hoxie (1885–1965), rodeo cowboy, Hollywood silent movie cowboy actor

References

  • "Accused of double murder: The grandmother, her boyfriend, and the couple who hosted anti-government religious meetings - CNN - April 21, 2024