Payne County

county

Payne County, Oklahoma

Overview

Geography

Region: North-central Oklahoma
Total Area: 697 sq mi
Land Area: 685 sq mi
Water Area: 12 sq mi
Latitude: 36.0773
Longitude: -96.9758
Climate: Humid subtropical climate with hot summers and generally mild winters. Temperatures can reach into the high 80s to low 90s during the summer. Winters tend to be mild, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s during the day. The county receives an average of 38 inches of rainfall annually and sees over 200 sunny days each year.
Notable Features: Lake McMurtry · Lake Carl Blackwell · Cimarron River · Stillwater Creek · Rolling Plains
Neighboring Areas: Noble County (northwest) · Pawnee County (northeast) · Creek County (east) · Lincoln County (south) · Logan County (southwest)

Demographics

Population (2020): 81,646
Est. Population (2026): 84,959
Median Age: 27.7
Median Income: $48,937
Poverty Rate: 23.9%
Owner-Occupied: 50.9%
Racial & Ethnic Composition: The racial makeup of Payne County includes 74.3% White, 7.27% Two or More Races, 4.01% Asian, 3.85% American Indian & Alaska Native, and 3.63% Black or African American. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.42% of the population.

Economy

Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
Economic Profile: Agribusiness (farming and ranching) · Manufacturing and distribution · Research and development · Retail trade/tourism
Employment Sectors: Educational Services · Health Care & Social Assistance · Accommodation & Food Services
Major Employers: Oklahoma State University

Education

Schools: 26
Students: 10,629
School Districts: Cushing Public Schools · Glencoe Public Schools · Oilton Public Schools · Perkins-Tryon Public Schools · Ripley Public Schools · Stillwater Public Schools · Yale Public Schools
Colleges & Universities: Oklahoma State University · Northern Oklahoma College (Blackwell) · Meridian Technology Center

History

Founded: 1890
Named After: Capt. David L. Payne, a leader of the "Boomers"
Historical Significance: Payne County was established as the Sixth County by the Oklahoma Organic Act of 1890 and was named after Captain David L. Payne, a key figure in opening Oklahoma to settlement.
Key Events: Land Run of 1889 · Oklahoma Organic Act of 1890 · Establishment of Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) in 1890