Данкан, Оклахома: История и современность города

Duncan is a city and county seat of Stephens County, Oklahoma, United States. Its population was 22,310 at the 2020 census. Centrally located in Stephens County, Duncan became the county seat after Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907. 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. The Chisholm Trail passed to the east of Duncan prior to the town's founding, which is home to the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center. Duncan is the birthplace of the Halliburton Corporation. An estimated 9,800,000 Longhorn cattle were herded up the trail between Texas and Abilene, Kansas during its existence. After learning that an extension of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was being built from Kansas to Texas, Scotsman William Duncan brought his wife, parents, and other relatives and created a trading post situated at the intersection of the north south Chisholm Trail and the east–west military passage between Fort Arbuckle and Fort Sill. The first train arrived on June 27, 1892; that date is considered the official birth date of the town. Many of the city's first buildings were wood frame but were replaced by sandstone and brick structures after natural disasters destroyed them. Four fires in 1901 burned down several buildings. Centrally located in Stephens County, Duncan became the county seat after Oklahoma achieved statehood in 1907. and 80 mile (129 km) south of Oklahoma City. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.0 square miles (119 km2), of which 7.2 square miles (19 km2) (15.67%) are covered by water. 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. The city is part of the Great Plains and has four lakes. 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. |date=October 2, 2010

At the 2000 census, 22,505 people in 9,406 households, including 6,424 families, were residing in the city. The population density was The 10,795 housing units had an average density of 278.3/sq mi (107.4/km). The racial makeup of the city was 90.48% White, 1.07% African American, 2.95% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.36% from other races, and 2.63% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 5.99% of the population. Of the 9,406 households, 28.8% had children under 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were not families. About 28.9% of households were one person and 14.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.88. 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 age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males. The median income for a household was $30,373 and for a family was $37,080. Males had a median income of $31,173 versus $19,731 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,643. About 28.7% of families and 27.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 42.8% of those age 65 or over.

At the 2010 census, 23,431 people and 9,535 households were residing in the city, with 11,064 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 82.3% White, 3.3% African American, 4.7% Native American, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 8.9% of the population. The average household size was 2.41. The age distribution was 23.8% under 18 and 17.9% 65 or older. The median household income was $39,683. The per capita income for the city was $22,230. About 16% of the population was below the poverty line.

Duncan once adopted the slogan, "The Buckle on the Oil Belt". Its main claim to fame is as the birthplace of the Halliburton Corporation. Agriculture has always played a part in Duncan's economy. Cotton was a dominant crop until the Dust Bowl brought about a reduction in its role. State Highway 29 runs just north of town, and State Highway 53 runs just south of town. The airport hosted commercial air service from Central Airlines in the 1960s.