Arkoma, Oklahoma

Le Flore County

40-02650

Arkoma is a town in Le Flore County in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. According to the 2000 census it had a population of 2,180 in an area of ​​9.3 square kilometers; the population density is 240 per square kilometer.

The place is located in the extreme east of Oklahoma, directly on the border with Arkansas. Immediately behind the border begins the city of Fort Smith. To the west of Poteau River flows past Arkoma.

The name " Arkoma " is a portmanteau word, it is composed of Arkansas and Oklahoma.

History

The town was founded in 1911 on land of Capt.. James Reynolds founded, a veteran of the American Civil War, who had come to Oklahoma to wealth. Reynolds developed Arkoma as a housing development for workers at Ft. Smith, built apartment buildings and provided for the transport connections - the tram was in operation until 1917. Since 1946, Arkoma is an independent municipality ( Town) in Le Flore County. The census in 1950 showed 1691 inhabitants, in 1970 more than 2000 residents were first counted. The High School Arkomas opened in the 1970s.

Demography

Data obtained from the census in 2000 2.180 inhabitants of Arkoma lived in 877 households; among them were 596 families. The population density was 240 per square kilometer. In the resort 975 residential units were recorded. Among the population was 89.2 percent white, 0.4 percent African American, 5.8 percent American Indian, 0.3 percent Asian and 0.9 percent of other ethnic groups; 3.4 percent reported belonging to several ethnic groups.

Among the 877 households 28 percent of children were under 18 years; 50 percent were married couples living together. 29 percent of households were single-person households. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size 2.97.

The population was spread out with 24.6 percent under the age of 18, 8.8 percent from 18 to 24, 25.9 percent 25-44 years, 25.8 percent from 45 to 64 years and 15.0 percent of 65 years or older. The median age was 38 years.

The median household income was $ 23,718, the median family income $ 31,500. The per capita income in Arkoma was $ 13,467. Under the poverty line, 20.1 percent of the population lived.

Cultural monuments

The Arkoma School was built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration. Since 1988 she has been on the National Register of Historic Places.