Tahlequah is a city located in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. As of the 2000
census, the city had a total population of 14,458. It is the county seat of
Cherokee County6. Tahlequah also has the distinction of being the capital of
the Cherokee Nation. The name derives from the Cherokee word "Ta'ligwu"
meaning "just two," or "two is enough." The "two" refers to a meeting
between elders that presumably took take place shortly after the Trail of
Tears. Three tribal elders had planned to meet to determine the location of
the Cherokee Nation's permanent capital. Two elders arrived and waited for
the third. As dusk approached, they decided that "two is enough." Tahlequah
is also home to Northeastern State University.
Geography
Tahlequah is located at 35°54'46" North, 94°58'17" West (35.912869,
-94.971526).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of
31.1 km˛ (12.0 mi˛). 31.1 km˛ (12.0 mi˛) of it is land and none of the area
is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 14,458 people, 5,703 households, and
3,125 families residing in the city. The population density is 464.4/km˛
(1,202.8/mi˛). There are 6,245 housing units at an average density of 200.6/km˛
(519.5/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city is 59.01% White, 2.53% African
American, 26.86% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.10%
from other races, and 6.93% from two or more races. 7.26% of the population
are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 5,703 households out of which 26.8% have children under the age of
18 living with them, 37.6% are married couples living together, 13.3% have a
female householder with no husband present, and 45.2% are non-families.
34.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.6% have someone
living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is
2.28 and the average family size is 3.00.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18,
25.2% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who
are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 26 years. For every 100
females there are 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there
are 82.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $23,238, and the median
income for a family is $34,811. Males have a median income of $25,066 versus
$21,327 for females. The per capita income for the city is $13,371. 26.3% of
the population and 18.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the
total people living in poverty, 28.2% are under the age of 18 and 12.6% are
65 or older.
