Picher, Oklahoma
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Picher is a city located in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,640.
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Geography
Picher is located at 36°58'58" North, 94°49'58" West (36.982824, -94.832777)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.8 km² (2.2 mi²). 5.8 km² (2.2 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 1,640 people, 621 households, and 417 families residing in the city. The population density is 283.9/km² (734.0/mi²). There are 708 housing units at an average density of 122.6/km² (316.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 77.13% White, 0.00% African American, 13.78% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 8.72% from two or more races. 1.40% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 621 households out of which 30.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% are married couples living together, 12.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% are non-families. 29.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.58 and the average family size is 3.20.
In the city the population is spread out with 27.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $19,722, and the median income for a family is $25,950. Males have a median income of $22,321 versus $15,947 for females. The per capita income for the city is $10,938. 25.4% of the population and 21.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 27.4% of those under the age of 18 and 30.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Environment
Picher has become notable because it is located very near the Environmental Protection Agency's Tar Creek Superfund site. The site was contamined decades ago from underground lead and zinc mining. Chat piles left behind by the mining companies have lead dust that has blown around the town. Elevated lead levels in Picher children have led to learning disabilities and other problems. The lead and zinc have also seeped into groundwater, ponds, and lakes, many of which still have children swimming in them.
Currently the future of site is a hot-button political issue. U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., supports cleaning up the site with a 45 million dollar cleanup plan, to be executed by the EPA, the Department of the Interior, and two of the responsible mining companies.
U.S. Representative Brad Carson, D-Okla., supports buying out the families at the center of the site and moving them to a safer location. The Oklahoma Legislature has earmarked 3 million dollars to move families that have young children under 6 years of age.
Other areas affected by Tar Creek mining include Cardin, Oklahoma, Miami, Oklahoma, North Miami, Oklahoma, and Quapaw, Oklahoma.