Gans, Oklahoma

Gans is a town in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma metropolitan statistical area. Its population was 312 at the 2010 census, an increase of 50% over the 208 recorded in 2000.

History

At the time of its founding, Gans was located in the Sequoyah District of the Cherokee Nation. It was originally called Jack Town, but was renamed Gann after three brothers, who were Cherokee Indians, settled there: Charlie, Swimmer, and Tom Gann.

A post office opened at Gann, Indian Territory, on March 21, 1896. The Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad built a line through the area during 1895-6 and requested that the name be changed to Gans, since it already had two stations named Gann. The name of the post office changed to Gans on September 8, 1899.Larry O'Dell, "Gans," ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''
Accessed March 18, 2015. Information about the post offices is from George H. Shirk, ''Oklahoma Place Names'' (University of Oklahoma Press: 1965), pp. 85-86.

Gans incorporated in 1902. It lost this status in 1933. It reincorporated in 1953. The town was seriously damaged by a tornado in 1957, but later rebuilt.

Geography

Gans is located southeast of Sallisaw. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, 208 people, 79 households, and 57 families lived in the town. The population density was . The 87 housing units had an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 70.67% White, 0.96% African American, 26.44% Native American, 0.48% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.48% of the population.

Of the 79 households, 38.0% had children under 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were not families. About 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the town, the age distribution was 31.3% under 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $17,344, and for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $24,375 versus $12,188 for females. The per capita income for the town was $8,922. About 25.9% of families and 27.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.0% of those under the age of 18 and 25.8% of those 65 or over.

Notable people

*Cal Smith — American country music singer
*Bryant Reeves — American basketball player, Vancouver Grizzlies

References

External links

''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture'' - Gans

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Towns in Oklahoma
Towns in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma
Fort Smith metropolitan area