Wayne, Oklahoma

History

Wayne was named by early railroad workers from Pennsylvania who adopted town names from the railways there, including Wayne, Paoli, Ardmore, and Wynnewood. The town is named for Mad Anthony Wayne, a United States Army general and statesman. The town was significantly damaged by an EF2 tornado on December 13, 2022.

Geography

Wayne is located in southern McClain County at the intersection of U.S. Highway 77 and State Highway 59. US 77 leads north 8 mi to Purcell, the county seat, and south 7 mi to Paoli, while OK 59 leads east 17 mi to Byars and west 14 mi to Payne. Oklahoma City is 43 mi to the north.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town of Wayne has a total area of 0.38 sqmi, all land. The town sits on high ground which drains north toward the Canadian River, a tributary of the Arkansas River, and south toward the Washita River, a tributary of the Red River.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 714 people, 262 households, and 182 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,990.9 PD/sqmi. There were 292 housing units at an average density of 814.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 85.29% White, 7.84% Native American, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 2.52% from other races, and 4.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.68% of the population.

There were 262 households, out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,554, and the median income for a family was $27,404. Males had a median income of $26,667 versus $14,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,485. About 18.1% of families and 24.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.4% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The Town of Wayne Court is located in Wayne, and the Wayne Municipal Court is held monthly at the Multi-Purpose Center. The Municipal Judge is appointed by the City Council.

Education

Schools in Wayne include Wayne High School, Wayne Middle School, and Wayne Elementary School. The town also has Mid-America Technology Center, a Vocational School and College.

Notable people

• Harmon Dobson (1913–1967), co-founder of Whataburger; born in Wayne
• Kevin Stitt (born 1972), 28th governor of Oklahoma, attended first grade in Wayne, as recalled in his inaugural address on January 14, 2019.

References

References

1. "2024 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Oklahoma". United States Census Bureau.
2. "P1. Race – Wayne town, Oklahoma: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau.
3. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. {{GNIS. 2413459
5. "P1. Race – Wayne town, Oklahoma: 2010 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau.
6. "ArcGIS Web Application".
7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
8. (October 1940). "Draft Registration Card". [[Selective Service System]].
9. (January 14, 2019). "Remarks as prepared: Oklahoma Gov. Stitt's inaugural address".