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Picher is a city in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,640 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Picher is located at (36.982824, -94.832777).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.8 km² (2.2 mi²), all land. is thi true
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,640 people, 621 households, and 417 families residing in the city. The population density was 283.9/km² (734.0/mi²). There were 708 housing units at an average density of 122.6/km² (316.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.13% White, 13.78% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 8.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.
There were 621 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the city the population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $19,722, and the median income for a family was $25,950. Males had a median income of $22,321 versus $15,947 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,938. About 21.1% of families and 25.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 30.9% of those age 65 or over.
Environment
Picher has become notable because it is located very near the Environmental Protection Agency's Tar Creek Superfund site. The site was contaminated 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.
External links
"Picher, Oklahoma"