Seminole () is a city in Seminole County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2020 census, Seminole had a population of 7,146. Seminole experienced a large population growth in the 1920s due to an oil boom.

History

300px|thumb|left|Oil wells in Seminole, 1932

The city was platted in 1906 as a relocation setting for the residents of Tidmore, when the railroad line was placed north of the town. When Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory merged to become the U.S. state of Oklahoma in 1907, there were 206 residents. The town of Seminole was incorporated as a city in December 1924.

Upon the discovery of a high-producing oil well in the city in 1926, Seminole transformed from a town of 854 to a boom town of 25,000 to 30,000 residents. In August 1970 Seminole hosted its first All-Night Gospel Singing. During its heyday an estimated twenty-five thousand people attended the annual event. After the boom, the population declined to about 11,000 and remained that way until 1970.

The city was heavily damaged by an EF2 tornado on May 4, 2022.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (3.93%) is water.

Climate

<!-- Infobox ends -->

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Seminole had a population of 7,146. The median age was 34.7 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.0 males age 18 and over.

There were 2,703 households in Seminole, of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 36.2% were married-couple households, 20.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 35.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Percent

|-

| White || 59.0%

|-

| Black or African American || 3.3%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 19.9%

|-

| Asian || 0.5%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || &lt;0.1%

|-

| Some other race || 2.5%

|-

| Two or more races || 14.8%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 6.4%

|}

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 6,899 people, 2,760 households, and 1,827 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,172 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 73.42% White, 3.97% African American, 16.38% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races, and 5.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.61% of the population. Seminole High School is that district's comprehensive high school.

Parts of Seminole are within these districts: Varnum Public Schools<!--UNI 30990-->, Butner Public Schools<!--UNI 06000-->, and New Lima Public Schools<!--UNI 21360-->.

Commercial air transportation is available out of Will Rogers World Airport, about 63 miles west-northwest.

Recreation

Sportsman Lake is to the east-southeast of the city. the lake offers boat docks and ramps; primitive campsites as well as RV sites; equestrian trails and facilities; and, other amenities.

Wewoka Lake is further to the east-southeast. While developed by the City of Wewoka in the 1920’s as a water reservoir, opportunities at the lake today include fishing & boating; RV & primitive camping; and, swimming & water skiing.

Notable people

  • David Boren (1941–2025), former Oklahoma Governor, State Senator, and former President of the University of Oklahoma
  • Ronald Chase (born 1934), arts educator, painter, actor, photographer, filmmaker, opera designer
  • Aaron Gwyn (born 1972), novelist and short story writer
  • Enoch Kelly Haney (1940–2022), Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation, artist, and former Oklahoma State Senator
  • Edmond Harjo (1917–2014), Seminole Code Talker during World War II and recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal
  • Arthur Jones (1926–2007), founder of Nautilus, Inc.
  • Joe Liggins (1916–1987), musician, early pioneer of rock and roll, The Honeydripper.
  • Jesse Pearson (1930–1979), actor and screenwriter, born in Seminole in 1930
  • Troy N. Smith (1922–2009), founder of Sonic Drive-In
  • William C. Wantland (born 1934), Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eau Claire
  • Jesse Mashburn (born 1933), Olympic medalist in athletics

References

  • City of Seminole official website