Pontotoc County is a county in the south central part of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,065. Its county seat is Ada. The county was created at statehood from part of the Chickasaw Nation in Indian Territory. It was named for a historic Chickasaw tribal area in Mississippi. According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Pontotoc is usually translated "cattail prairie" or "land of hanging grapes."
Pontotoc County comprises the Ada, OK micropolitan statistical area.
The Chickasaw Nation's headquarters are in Ada.
History
The present Pontotoc County was part of the land that the U.S. government granted in 1830 to the Choctaw tribe via the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. In 1837, the Chickasaw tribe was granted land within the Choctaw domain. In 1857, the Chickasaw Nation formed its own government on this land. However, few Chickasaw settled there until after the Civil War, mainly because of attacks by various Plains Indian tribes. The Canadian River forms the northern boundary.
| 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 38,065. Of the residents, 23.9% were under the age of 18 and 17.2% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 37.5 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.4 males.
The racial makeup of the county was 61.1% White, 2.3% Black or African American, 18.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian, 2.0% from some other race, and 14.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.8% of the population. of 2000, there were 35,143 people, 13,978 households, and 9,421 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 15,575 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 75.80% White, 2.06% Black or African American, 15.51% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 5.36% from two or more races. 2.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 13,978 households, out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.90% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.60% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 12.50% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,955, and the median income for a family was $35,400. Males had a median income of $26,785 versus $18,939 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,664. About 11.80% of families and 16.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.10% of those under age 18 and 11.70% 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 | 7,241
| align = center | 32.77%
|-
|
| Republican
| align = center | 11,072
| align = center | 50.10%
|-
|
| Others
| align = center | 3,786
| align = center | 17.13%
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | 22,099
! align = center | 100%
|}
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Economy
Cattle ranching was one of the most important economic activities in this area up through the territorial period. Agriculture rose to prominence in the early 20th century, with cotton being the most important crop. Cattle raising reemerged as the major industry, and the county is sometimes called "Hereford Heaven."
- Ada Public Schools
- Allen Public Schools
- Asher Public Schools
- Byng Public Schools
- Latta Public Schools
- Roff Public Schools
- Stonewall Public Schools
- Stratford Public Schools
- Tupelo Public Schools
- Vanoss Public Schools
NRHP sites
The following sites in Pontotoc County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
- Ada Arts and Heritage Center, Ada
- Bebee Field Round House, Ada
- East Central State Normal School, Ada
- F.W. Meaders House, Ada
- Mijo Camp Industrial District, Ada
- Pontotoc County Courthouse, Ada
- Roff Armory, Roff
- Sugg Clinic, Ada
- Wintersmith Park Historic District, Ada
See also
- Chimney Hill (Oklahoma)