County: Woodward
Region: Northwest
2000 County Population: 18,486
Labor Force within 30 Miles: 29,500

The Cherokee Outlet was opened to settlement in 1893, the name "Woodward" was given to the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe station in central "N" County, Oklahoma Territory. The name was given later to the county.
Woodward, the county seat, became a shipping point for cattle, and in 1912, the US. Government located an agricultural research station there. The City of Woodward celebrated its centennial year in 1987.
Scenic areas include Boiling Springs State Park northeast of Woodward and Alabaster Caverns State Park in the northern section of the county. Ft. Supply Reservoir provides hunting, fishing, camping and swimming activities.
Two history books, Woodward, First Century on Sand, Sage and Prairie and Sand In My Eyes, have been written about the county. A state tourism center is operated in Woodward. For additional information, call the county clerk's office at 580-256-3625.

Location: Northwestern Oklahoma.
Climate: Average precipitation is 33.8 inches yearly.
January's average temperature is 40.6, July's average is 80.7.
County Seat: Woodward - population 11,853 (2000 census data)
Distances: Woodward to: Enid - 88 miles Oklahoma City - 140 miles.
Land Area: 1,245 square miles of level plains and rolling hills.

POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS

The population density of the county is 15.3 persons per square mile. The median age of all persons in the county is 33.2, female median age is 34.6 and the male median age is 32.0. County population: 1907 - 14,595; 1990 - 18,976.

UTILITIES

Utility services are provided primarily by the following carriers:

Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. Oklahoma Natural Gas Co. Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.

LABOR FORCE

The Woodward County labor force was 9,140 in 1997. Participation rate in the county labor force constitutes 71.14% of males and 52.83 of females. An average annual unemployment rate of 4.2% was recorded by the county in 1998. The per capita personal income for this county is $16,883 in 1997.

TRANSPORTATION

Woodward County, like other counties in Oklahoma, has the benefit of modern, quality transportation systems, facilities and services. Major highways in this county are U.S. 183, SH 34 and SH 50.

HOUSING

The county has 8,512 housing units, 72.5% of which are owner occupied. The median home value in the county is $40,300. The median housing rental contract is $207.00 per month. Statewide housing units number 1,406,499 and 68.1% of those are owner occupied. The statewide median home value is $48,100

TAX STRUCTURE

The county tax is .2%, the state sales tax is 4.5%, and the local sales tax for cities can be found in the individual community profiles. The corporate tax statewide is 6%.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

The county is home to the High Plains Area Vo-Tech. In Woodward County 73.4% of persons over 25 years of age have a high school diploma and 13.0% are college graduates. Statewide high school graduates in the same age range total 74.6% and the percent of college graduates over 25 years of age is 17.8%.

PRIMARY EMPLOYERS IN THE AREA

INDUSTRIAL SITES AND BUILDINGS

Data on Industrial and Building sites are available for this county. Please contact Information Management, of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for a current printout of this Real Estate Database. Call (405) 815-5144 in Oklahoma City.

Certified Industrial Parks in Woodward County
Woodward Industrial Airpark - 720 total acres/500 acres available.

TOURISM POINTS OF INTEREST

Recreation Area - Alabaster Caverns, Boiling Springs state parks
Major Lake - Fort Supply
Major Stream Systems - Cimarron and North Canadian rivers and their tributaries
Museums and Historic Sites - Fort Supply Museum and Indian Pioneer Museum at Woodward

Revised May, 2000
Oklahoma Department of Commerce,
Information Management

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