Mayes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 39,046. Its county seat is Pryor Creek. Named for Samuel Houston Mayes, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1895 to 1899, it was originally created at the Sequoyah Convention in August 1905.
History
According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, the area covered by what is now Mayes County has many prehistoric sites. There is evidence of human habitation dated before 6,000 BC, plus 35 Archaic sites (6,000 BC to 1 AD), 25 Woodland sites (1 AD to 1,000 AD) and 31 Plains Village sites (1000 AD to 1500 AD).
The county is bisected by the Grand River. The eastern half of the county is on the Ozark Plateau, with flat areas divided by deep stream valleys. The western half is in the Prairie Plains.
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<br />1790-1960 1900-1990<br />1990-2000 2010
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 39,046. Of the residents, 24.0% were under the age of 18 and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 40.9 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.9 males.
The racial makeup of the county was 61.3% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 21.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 1.1% from some other race, and 15.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.5% of the population.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 38,369 people, 14,823 households, and 10,820 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 17,423 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 72.14% White, 0.30% Black or African American, 19.10% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 7.55% from two or more races. 1.87% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 94.8% spoke English, 2.1% Cherokee, 1.4% Spanish and 1.2% German as their first language.
There were 14,823 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,125, and the median income for a family was $37,542. Males had a median income of $31,668 versus $20,573 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,350. About 11.20% of families and 14.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 10.90% 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 | 6,234
| align = center | 26.28%
|-
|
| Republican
| align = center | 13,791
| align = center | 58.15%
|-
|
| Others
| align = center | 3,698
| align = center | 15.59%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 23,723
! align = center | 100%
|}
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Economy
Agriculture has long been the primary economic activity in the county. Important crops include: corn, soybeans, sorghum and hay. Cattle raising and dairy farming occur in the more rugged parts of the Ozark Plateau.
Communities
City
- Pryor Creek (county seat)
Towns
- Adair
- Chouteau
- Disney
- Grand Lake Towne
- Hoot Owl (Ghost Town)
- Ketchum
- Langley
- Locust Grove
- Pensacola
- Salina
- Spavinaw
- Sportsmen Acres
- Strang
Census-designated places
- Ballou
- Cedar Crest
- Iron Post
- Kenwood
- Little Rock
- Mazie
- Murphy
- Pin Oak Acres
- Pump Back
- Rose
- Sams Corner
- Snake Creek
- Sportmans Shores
- Wickliffe
Other unincorporated communities
- Boatman
- Sportsmen Acres Community
Education
Unified school districts include:
- Adair Public Schools
- Chelsea Public Schools
- Chouteau-Mazie Public Schools
- Inola Public Schools
- Jay Public Schools
- Ketchum Public Schools
- Locust Grove Public Schools
- Pryor Public Schools
- Salina Public Schools
- Vinita Public Schools
There are two elementary school districts: Osage Public School and Wickliffe Public School.
NRHP sites
The following sites in Mayes County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
- Cabin Creek Battlefield, Pensacola
- Farmers and Merchants Bank, Chouteau
- Lewis Ross/Cherokee Orphan Asylum Springhouse, Salina
- Pensacola Dam, Langley
- Territorial Commercial District, Chouteau
- Union Mission Site, Mazie