Oklahoma
Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the nor ...
, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 492, a 2.8 percent decrease from the figure of 506 recorded in 2000. The town's name is derived from a Cherokee word, ', meaning fire.Wilson, Linda D "Achille," ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'', Oklahoma Historical Society, 2009. Accessed April 15, 2015.
History
The area that would become Achille was originally part of the
Chickasaw Nation
The Chickasaw Nation (Chickasaw language, Chickasaw: Chikashsha I̠yaakni) is a federally recognized tribes, federally recognized Native Americans in the United States, Native American tribe, with its headquarters located in Ada, Oklahoma in th ...
in
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory and the Indian Territories are terms that generally described an evolving land area set aside by the Federal government of the United States, United States Government for the relocation of Native Americans in the United St ...
. The Bloomfield Academy for Chickasaw girls was located southeast of present-day Achille from 1853 until 1914. Cherokee refugees located to the area during the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...
and called it "", meaning fire.
The Missouri, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad built a line that crossed the region in 1908 and a post office was established in the community in 1910. The community grew from an estimated population of 50 to 500 in 1920. The town's population had declined to 294 in 1960 and reached a peak number of 506 in 2000.
Geography
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the town has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
As of the
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...
of 2010, there were 492 people living in the town. The
population density
Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
was 1,230 people per square mile (492/km). There were 213 housing units at an average density of 552 per square mile (211/km). The racial makeup of the town was 71.34%
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...
, 0.20%
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
Asian
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, 0.40% from
other races
Other often refers to:
* Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy
Other or The Other may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack
* ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 5.34% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or
Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
of any race were 0.59% of the population.
There were 188 households, out of which 63 (33.5%) included children under the age of 18, 82 (43.6%) were
married couples
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...
living together, 36 (19.1%) consisted of a female householder with no husband present, 16 (8.5%) consisted of a male householder with no wife present, and 54 (28.7%) were non-families.Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data, U.S. Census. (accessed vi U.S. Census website search of Achille town, Oklahoma on October 18, 2013) Households made up of a single individual living alone accounted for 46 (24.5%) of households, and 58 (30.9%) households consisted of someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 25% under the age of 18, 10% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $28,333,2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, U.S. Census. (accessed vi U.S. Census website search of Achille town, Oklahoma on October 18, 2013) and the median income for a family was $24,000. Males had a median income of $21,190 versus $14,904 for females. The
per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population.
Per capita i ...
for the town was $11,324. 17.4% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
. 39.6% of those under the age of 18 and 9.8% are 65 or older.
Economy
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma headquarters, casinos, and other operations are located in nearby Durant and serve as a major employer in the region.
Agriculture
Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to ...
and
tourism
Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring (disambiguation), touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tour (disambiguation), tours. Th ...
are both important industries.
Government
During his first term as mayor, back in 2017, David Northcutt was investigated for firing a shot toward the ground in an argument with his boyfriend, and eventually resigned.
On October 28, 2018, current Achille Mayor David Northcutt, was arrested with an accomplice, Joshua Doughty, for first degree burglary and methamphetamine possession charges. Northcutt was released after posting $10,000 bail.
In December 2018, Achille Councilman Lynn Chambers was arrested and charged along with 4 others, for methamphetamine trafficking and gun possession while committing a felony. 200 grams of methamphetamine, 2 pounds of marijuana and several guns were discovered by police. Child endangerment charges are being considered as children were living at the location
In 2019, items including guns, drugs, and cash that had been seized by the Achille Police went missing from the police evidence locker, prompting an investigation by the
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is an independent state law enforcement agency of the government of Oklahoma. The OSBI assists the county sheriff offices and city police departments of the state, and is the primary investigative ...
. Police Chief Chris Watson had handed the key to the evidence locker to the town's Board Of Trustees shortly before the breach, after having been suspended and then fired by the Board. "I cannot say that I am surprised because that entire city council is corrupt to the core" said Watson.
*While not born in the town, country singer and actor
Gene Autry
Orvon Grover "Gene" Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), nicknamed the Singing Cowboy, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, musician, rodeo performer, and baseball owner who gained fame largely by singing in a crooning s ...