Duncan

Duncan is a city and county seat of Stephens County, Oklahoma, United States. Its population was 22,310 at the 2020 census. Its main claim to fame is as the birthplace of the Halliburton Corporation. The Chisholm Trail passed to the east of Duncan prior to the town's founding. Oil wells opened in Stephens County in 1918 and led to rapid development. Cotton was a dominant crop until the Dust Bowl brought its decline, but cattle remain an important part of the economy. Duncan is known for crape myrtle trees, Oklahoma prairie, and rich farmland. State lawmakers designated the city as Oklahoma's official "Crape Myrtle Capital". Oklahoma's grasslands are made up of shortgrass, mixed-grass and tallgrass prairie. Duncan receives 34 inches of rain per year, with five inches of snowfall. The city also receives an average of 241 sunny days per year. The downtown area lies between Walnut and Willow Avenues, from the railroad tracks to Highway 81. The first train arrived on June 27, 1892; that date is considered the official birth date of the town. At the time of its founding, Duncan was located in Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation. The town is situated approximately 30 miles east of Lawton and 80 miles (130 km) south of Oklahoma City. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the city has a total area of 46.0 square miles (119 km²), of which 7.2 sq miles (19 km²) (15.67%) are covered by water.

History

Duncan is the primary city name, but also Empire City are acceptable city names or spellings. Duncan was founded by Scotsman William Duncan on June 27, 1892. Duncan was located in Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation. It became the county seat after Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907. Oil wells opened in Stephens County in 1918 led to rapid development in Duncan. Several Tudor Revival-style homes were built in the 1930s. Duncan expanded its city limits during an economic surge brought on by World War II. Towards the end of this period, the downtown area began to see a decline. Duncan is located on the Chisholm Trail, which passed to the east of the town. An estimated 9,800,000 Longhorn cattle were herded up the trail between Texas and Abilene, Kansas during its existence. The city's first buildings were wood frame, but were replaced by sandstone and brick structures after natural disasters destroyed them. The county courthouse is located in the middle of Duncan's Main Street, half of it in the northern part of the city and county and half in the southern. As a compromise between residents of the northern and southern parts of the county, the county courthouse was located on Main Street on both ends of Main Street. Duncan has a public library, a senior high school, a stadium, a pool, a school and auditorium for the black community, an armory, and numerous bridges and sidewalks. It is also home to the Oklahoma State Museum, which opened in the 1950s. The town is located near the intersection of the north-south and eastwest military passage between Fort Arbuckle and Fort Sill.

Geography

Duncan is located at 34°308N 97°5728W (34.5023029, -97.9578129). The town is situated approximately 30 miles east of Lawton and 80 miles (130 km) south of Oklahoma City. State lawmakers designated the city as Oklahoma's official "Crape Myrtle Capital" Oklahoma's grasslands are made up of shortgrass, mixed-grass and tallgrass prairie. Duncan receives 34 inches of rain per year, with five inches of snowfall. The city also receives an average of 241 sunny days per year. It lies 1,128 feet above mean sea level. The downtown area lies between Walnut and Willow Avenues, from the railroad tracks to Highway 81. Duncan is known for crape myrtle trees, Oklahoma prairie, and rich farmland. It is part of the Great Plains and has four lakes. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.0 square miles (119 km²), of which 7.2 sq miles (19 km²) (15.67%) are covered by water. It has a population of 2,816 (2.2% of the city's population). The city is located on the Oklahoma River, which runs through the center of the town. It also has a small lake on the east side of the river, which is used as a source of drinking water for the city. The town's population is 2,788 (3.7% of its population).

Demographics

At the 2000 census, 22,505 people in 9,406 households, including 6,424 families, were residing in the city. The age distribution was 24.1% under 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% 65 or older. The median income for a household was $30,373 and for a family was $37,080. The per capita income for the city was $22,230. About 16% of the population was below the poverty line. At the 2010 census, 23,431 people and 9,535 households were living in theCity, with 11,064 housing units. The average household size was 2.41. The racial makeup of the city is 90.48% White, 1.07% African American, 2.95% Native American,0.47% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, and 2.63% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 5.99% of. the city's population. The city is located on the U.S.-Mexico border and was once part of the Mexican state of Baja California. It is located near the border with Mexico and the state of New Mexico. It was the site of the first U.N. peacekeeping operation in the World War II era. It has a population of about 23,000.

Economy

Erle P. Halliburton perfected a new method of cementing wells, making oil production much easier and more profitable. He died in 1957, when the company had 201 offices in 22 states and 20 foreign countries. The cattle business remains an important part of Duncan's economy. The city has been home to a number of banks and doctors since its early settlement, and both continue to be well represented today. In 2010, Halliburten announced that 150 jobs in the center were to move to Houston over the following two years. The company maintains seven different complexes in Duncan plus an employee recreational park, but the corporate offices relocated first to Dallas and later to Houston. The City of Duncan was once known as "The Buckle on the Oil Belt" because of its location in the oil-producing region of the state. It is now known as the "Buckle on the oil Belt" due to its proximity to the oil and natural gas fields in the area. It has a population of around 2,000, making it one of the smallest cities in the Texas panhandle. It was once the largest city in the U.S. state, but is now the second-largest city in Texas, after Dallas. Duncan is home to the University of Texas at San Antonio, which was founded in 1883. The town is located on the Texas-Oklahoma border, and was the site of the first oil rig to be built in 1881. It also has a university, which opened in 1887.

Transportation

U.S. Route 81 and State Highway 7 run just north and south of the town. The City of Duncan has a paved 6326 x 100 runway. The city hosted commercial air service from Central Airlines in the 1960s and 1970s. The airport is located on the east side of the city, near the town's downtown area. The town is home to the University of Duncan, which was founded in 1872. It is also home to Duncan High School, which is located two miles south of town. It was founded by the University in 1876. The school was the first in the state to offer a high school degree in aeronautics. It has been in existence since 1876, when it became the first college to offer an aeronautical engineering program. The university is located in the city's central part, on the west side. It also has a small airport on the north side, which it has operated since the 1950s and 1960s. Its name is Duncan Airport, and it is located near the center of town, near where the town meets the city of Duncan's central business district. It's also known as Halliburton Airport, after the airport's former owner, which opened in 1959. The airfield is located at the base of a hill, and is known as the "Halliburton Curve" because of its location on a hill. The name of the airport is a reference to a hill that once stood on the south side of town and was used as a runway.

Arts and culture

The Stephens County Historical Museum contains displays and artifacts from the land run and early settlement in the area. The city holds an annual county fair and top-rated livestock events year round. Other annual events include the Chisholm Trail Arts Council's Art Walk, Trail Dance Film Festival, and the Dehydrator bicycle race/ride. In 1974 the museum moved to the NRHP-listed old National Guard Armory in Fuqua Park, built in 1936-1937 as a WPA project. It is located in the heart of the city's historic downtown area, near the intersection of Main Street and Main Street West. The museum is open to the public and is free of charge. It has been open since 1974, and is located at the former home of the Stephens County Sheriff's Office, which was built in 1881. The town is home to the ChISHolm trail Heritage Center, which features the Paul Moore bronze On the Chisheslm Trail, which stands nearly 15 feet high atop its immense base, and stretches almost 35 feet across the horizon. Trail Ruts at Monument Hill just outside of Duncan has visible traces of cattle hoofs and wagons actually left on the trail. The city also hosts the annual Summerfest with the World's Largest Garage Sale and the Western Spirit Celebration, which is held every year in the summer. In the fall, the city holds the annual Stampede, which includes a car and motorcycle show, and a dog show.

Parks and recreation

Duncan city parks include Abe Raizen (baseball, soccer, playground, picnic), Douglass Park (splash pad, picnic, playground), Hillcrest Park (water pad, tennis court, baseball), Jaycee Park (playground), Memorial Park (war memorials, tennis courts), Olen Sledge Memorial Park. Area lakes include Lake Humphreys, Clear Creek Lake, Fuqua Lake, Duncan Lake, Waurika Lake, Lake Lawtonka, and Lake Ellsworth. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is to the northwest. The city is located in the eastern part of the town of 1,000,000 people. The town has a population of 2,000. It is located at the base of the Wichita Mountains, which are located to the east and west of the city, and to the south-southwest of Duncan. The area is home to the Arboretum and Heritage Park, a botanical garden, and the Playday Park, which has a playground, museum, train exhibit, kiddie land, gazebo, and picnic area. It also has a number of lakes, including Fuqua and Duncan Lakes, which lie to the northeast and the east-northeast, respectively. The community is located on the edge of the Kansas River, which runs through the town. It has a large amount of undeveloped land, which can be easily accessed by hiking or bicycling. In addition to the city parks, the town has several smaller parks, such as Whisenant Park, where people can picnic.

Historic structures

Eight of the 10 NRHP-listed places in Stephens County are located in Duncan. Duncan Armory, Duncan Public Library, the Johnson Hotel and Boarding House, and the Patterson Hospital are all located in the town. Duncan is home to the U.S. National Museum of American History, which is housed in a former hospital. The U.N. World Heritage Site is also located inDuncan, and is open to the public. The National Park Service has a ranger station in Duncan, which was established in the early 1900s. It is one of the oldest ranger stations in the United States, dating back to the 17th century. Duncan was the site of the first national park, which opened in 1805. It was named after Duncan's first postmaster, who was the first white man to live in the area. The town also has a public library, which dates back to 1805, and a public cemetery. The Duncan Armory was built in the late 1800s and is a National Register of Historic Places site. The Patterson Hospital was founded in the 1800s, and has been listed on the NRHP since the 1930s. The hospital was built by the Patterson family, who also built the Duncan Armory in the 19th century, and later moved it to its current location in the 1920s. Duncan has a population of about 2,000 people, making it one of Stephens County's largest towns. The county has a total of 10,000 residents, with the majority of the population living in the towns of Duncan and Patterson.

Government

Duncan is governed by a city council composed of the city's mayor and four council members. The mayor is the mayor of Duncan and the city council is made up of four members. Duncan is located on the Canadian Shield, one of the world's largest sand dunes. The city is home to a population of more than 100,000 people, with the majority of them living in the town of 30,000. The town is located in the province of Alberta, north of the Alberta River, which flows through the city of Calgary. It is also home to the town's airport, which is one of Canada's largest airports, as well as a number of other international airports and rail stations.

Air Quality, Water Quality, Superfund Sites & UV Index

The Air Quality index is in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma = 86. These Air Quality index is based on annual reports from the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The number of ozone alert days is used as an indicator of air quality, as are the amounts of seven pollutants including particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, and volatile organic chemicals. The Water Quality Index is 60. A measure of the quality of an area’s water supply as rated by the EPA. Higher values are better (100=best). The EPA has a complex method of measuring the watershed quality, using 15 indicators such as pollutants, turbidity, sediments, and toxic discharges. The Superfund Sites Index is 100. Higher is better (100=best). Based upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts. The UV Index in Duncan = 4.9 and is a measure of an area's exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. This is most often a combination of sunny weather, altitude, and latitude. The UV Index has been defined by the WHO (www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-the-ultraviolet-(uv)-index) and is uniform worldwide.

Employed

The most recent city population of 5,182 individuals with a median age of 39.6 age the population grows by 0.64% in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma population since 2000 and are distributed over a density of 528.31 residents per square mile of area (203.98/km²). There are average 2.34 people per household in the 9,499 households with an average household income of $40,075 a year. The unemployment rate in Alabama is 8.50% of the available work force and has dropped -2.47% over the most recent 12-month period and the projected change in job supply over the next decade based on migration patterns, economic growth, and other factors will increase by 26.56%. The number of physicians in Duncan per 100,000 population = 78.8.

Weather

The annual rainfall in Duncan = 33.6 inches and the annual snowfall = 4.6 inches. The annual number of days with measurable precipitation (over .01 inch) = 71. The average number of days per year that are predominantly sunny = 241. 95 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily high temperature for the month of July and 28.1 degrees Fahrenheit is the average daily low temperature for the month of January. The Comfort Index (higher=better) is 30, where higher values mean a more pleasant climate. The Comfort Index measure recognizes that humidity by itself isn't the problem. (Have you noticed nobody ever complains about the weather being 'cold and humid?) It's in the summertime that we notice the humidity the most, when it's hot and muggy. Our Comfort Index uses a combination of afternoon summer temperature and humidity to closely predict the effect that the humidity will have on people.

Median Home Cost

The percentage of housing units in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma which are owned by the occupant = 60.75%. A housing unit is a house, apartment, mobile home, or room occupied as separate living quarters. The average age of homes = 44 years with median home cost = $75,240 and home appreciation of -15.02%. This is the value of the years most recent home sales data. Its important to note that this is not the average (or arithmetic mean). The median home price is the middle value when you arrange all the sales prices of homes from lowest to highest. This is a better indicator than the average, because the median is not changed as much by a few unusually high or low values. The property tax rate of $6.04 shown here is the rate per $1,000 of home value. If for simplification for example the tax rate is $14.00 and the home value is $250,000, the property tax would be $14.00 x ($250,000/1000), or $3500. This is the 'effective' tax rate.

Study

The local school district spends $3,401 per student. There are 19.2 students for each teacher in the school, 347 students for each Librarian and 361 students for each Counselor. 3.16% of the area’s population over the age of 25 with an Associate Degree or other 2-year college degree, 14.04% with a master’s degree, Ph.D. or other advanced college degree and 6.04% with high school diplomas or high school equivalency degrees (GEDs).