{{short description|County in Oklahoma, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Nowata County | state = Oklahoma | ex image = Nowata County Courthouse.jpg | ex image cap = Nowata County Courthouse in Nowata (2016) | seal = | founded year = 1907 | founded date = | seat wl = Nowata | largest city wl = Nowata | area_total_sq_mi = 581 | area_land_sq_mi = 566 | area_water_sq_mi = 15 | area percentage = 2.6% | population_as_of = 2020 | population_total = 9320 | census estimate yr = | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 9522 {{increase}} | density_sq_mi = auto | web = http://nowata.com/ | district = 2nd }}
'''Nowata County''' is a county located in northeastern Oklahoma, United States, on the Kansas border. As of the 2020 census, its population is 9,320.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nowata County, Oklahoma|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Nowata_County,_Oklahoma?g=050XX00US40105|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 20, 2023}}</ref> Its county seat is Nowata.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Their name is derived from a Delaware word, ''no-we-ata'', meaning "come here" or "welcome".<ref name = "EOHC-NowataCo">Cheatham, Gary L. [http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=NO018 "Nowata County,"] ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'', Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 4, 2015.</ref><ref>[http://digital.library.okstate.edu/chronicles/v002/v002p075.html "Origin of County Names in Oklahoma." In:''Chronicles of Oklahoma''. Volume 2, Number 1. March 1924.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814135738/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v002/v002p075.html |date=August 14, 2017 }} Retrieved October 3, 2013.</ref>
==History== [[File:Oklahoma1885.jpg|thumb|left|Map of Indian Territory from 1889 Encyclopædia Britannica 9th edition]] For millennia, the land now known as Oklahoma was inhabited by Native Americans. The ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'' states that archaeological evidence indicates that humans first lived in this area in the Verdigris River valley over six thousand years ago.<ref name = "EOHC-NowataCo" /> In the 17th century, white trappers first visiting the area found it occupied mostly by the Osage and Quapaw tribes. It was recognized as Osage territory by the time United States secured it as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. In 1819, the Arkansas Territory was organized, then was split in 1824 and 1828. An 1828 treaty with the Cherokee Nation assigned the area of Nowata County to the Cherokees, who included it in 1856 in their newly created Cooweescoowee District. The Cherokees and the Delaware signed a treaty in 1867 that resulted in Delaware settlements near the present towns of Delaware, Lenapah and Nowata, Oklahoma.<ref name = "EOHC-NowataCo" />
The state of Oklahoma and Nowata County was established in 1907, and the county had a population of 10,453. The town of Nowata was named as county seat.<ref name = "EOHC-NowataCo" /> The exact origin is unknown, but the two most common stories are that railroad surveyors used the Delaware word ''noweta'' for ''welcome'' or that a sign was posted indicating that local springs had no water: ''No wata''. {{clear left}}
==Geography== According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|581|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|566|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|15|sqmi}} (2.6%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_40.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 21, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>
The Verdigris River divides the county into eastern and western halves. Creeks in the extreme western part of the county drain into the Caney River. All other creeks drain into the Verdigris River. Lake Oologah lies partly in this county.<ref name = "EOHC-NowataCo" />
===Major highways=== * 20px U.S. Highway 60 * 23px U.S. Highway 169 * 20px State Highway 10 * 20px State Highway 28
===Adjacent counties=== * Montgomery County, Kansas (north) * Labette County, Kansas (northeast) * Craig County (east) * Rogers County (south) * Washington County (west)
==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1910 = 14223 | 1920 = 15899 | 1930 = 13611 | 1940 = 15774 | 1950 = 12734 | 1960 = 10848 | 1970 = 9773 | 1980 = 11486 | 1990 = 9992 | 2000 = 10569 | 2010 = 10536 | 2020 = 9320 | estyear = 2025 | estimate = 9522 | estref =<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 16, 2026}}</ref> {{increase}} | align-fn = center | footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ok190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/40105.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 12, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606155413/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40/40105.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> }}
===2020 census===
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 9,320. Of the residents, 22.6% were under the age of 18 and 20.6% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 43.8 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.7 males.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=county%3A105&in=state%3A40|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=2025-11-25|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=county%3A105&in=state%3A40|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=2025-11-25|df=mdy}}</ref>
The racial makeup of the county was 63.3% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 17.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Asian, 0.4% from some other race, and 17.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.6% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL"/>
There were 3,794 households in the county, of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
There were 4,351 housing units, of which 12.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.2% were owner-occupied and 23.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.1%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
===2000 census===
As of the 2000 census, there were 10,569 people, 4,147 households, and 2,989 families residing in the county.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|7|/km2|/mi2|abbr=on}}. There were 4,705 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3|/km2|/mi2|abbr=on}}. The racial makeup of the county was 72.43% White, 2.46% Black or African American, 16.56% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 8.17% from two or more races. 1.23% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,147 households, out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,470, and the median income for a family was $36,354. Males had a median income of $27,047 versus $19,371 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,244. About 9.00% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.00% of those under age 18 and 11.30% of those age 65 or over. ==Economy== The economy of Nowata County has been based on agriculture. The most important crops are wheat, corn, oats, and sorghum. Cattle ranching is also important to the local economy.
==Government== The county operates the Nowata County Jail. In 2019 the county government wanted the jail to be open even though there had been a carbon monoxide leak around three weeks prior. The sheriff and several deputies resigned.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bell, Megan|url=https://ktul.com/news/local/nowata-county-sheriff-undersheriff-deputies-resign-over-jail-controversy|title=Nowata County sheriff, undersheriff, deputies resign over jail controversy|publisher=KTUL|date=March 18, 2019|access-date=March 21, 2019}}</ref>
The county has renamed or renumbered many addresses so that emergency first responders will be better able to find locations from which 9-1-1 calls have been placed.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bartlesville Radio » News » Most Nowata County Residents Have Received Notice of New Address|url=http://bartlesvilleradio.com/pages/news/285312021/most-nowata-county-residents-have-received-notice-of-new-address|date=March 15, 2021 |first1=Max |last1=Gross|access-date=March 26, 2021|website=Bartlesville Radio}}</ref>
==Politics==
At presidential level, Nowata County has voted for Democratic and Republican candidates at different times in its history, though from 2000, the county has voted solidly Republican.
{| class=wikitable ! colspan = 6 | Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 30, 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/20190115%20-%20Registration%20By%20County%20(vr2420).pdf|title=Oklahoma Registration Statistics by County|date=January 15, 2019|website=OK.gov|access-date=February 27, 2019}}</ref> |- ! colspan = 2 | Party ! Number of Voters ! Percentage |- | {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}} | Democratic | align = center | 1,424 | align = center | 23.20% |- | {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}} | Republican | align = center | 3,796 | align = center | 61.84% |- | {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}} | Others | align = center | 918 | align = center | 14.96% |- ! colspan = 2 | Total ! align = center | 6,138 ! align = center | 100% |}
{{PresHead|place=Nowata County, Oklahoma|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref>}} <!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} --> {{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,020|909|63|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1912|Republican|1,087|1,012|172|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,322|1,355|184|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,679|1,697|75|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,296|2,049|154|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,930|1,763|19|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,900|3,773|0|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,552|3,512|20|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|3,406|3,615|39|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,730|2,581|15|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,119|2,688|0|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,226|2,657|0|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,168|2,268|0|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,014|2,125|0|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,142|2,644|0|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,116|1,314|1,080|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,293|1,096|146|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,077|2,195|39|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|2,640|1,694|136|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,030|1,687|44|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1988|Democratic|2,000|2,203|31|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,531|1,912|1,081|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,457|1,788|609|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,069|1,703|77|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|2,805|1,660|0|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|3,031|1,411|0|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,832|1,244|0|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|3,321|742|174|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|3,610|712|69|Oklahoma}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|3,774|720|67|Oklahoma}} {{PresFoot}}
==Communities==
===City===
* Nowata (county seat)
===Towns===
* Delaware * Lenapah * New Alluwe * South Coffeyville * Wann
===Unincorporated communities=== * Alluwe (ghost town) * Watova (census-designated place) * Childers
==Historic Places== {{Main|National Register of Historic Places listings in Nowata County, Oklahoma}} The following sites in Nowata County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: * Cemetery Patent 110, Delaware * Diamond Point School, Nowata * Nowata County Courthouse, Nowata
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
{{Geographic location | Centre = Nowata County | North = Montgomery County, Kansas | Northeast = Labette County, Kansas | East = Craig County | Southeast = | South = Rogers County | Southwest = | West = Washington County | Northwest = }}
{{Nowata County, Oklahoma}} {{Oklahoma}} {{Authority control}}
{{Coord|36.79|-95.62|type:adm2nd_region:US-OK_source:UScensus1990|display=title}}
Category:Nowata County, Oklahoma Category:1907 establishments in Oklahoma Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1907