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Moving to Altus, Oklahoma

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The current estimated population of Altus, Oklahoma is 18,343, with 48.7% male and 51.3% female. Altus has seen steady growth, largely due to its role as the home of Altus Air Force Base and its importance in the region’s agricultural economy.

City Facts

  • Year founded: 1891
  • County: Jackson
  • Land area: 17.8 square miles
  • Population density: Approximately 1,030 people per square mile
  • Area code: 580
  • Zip codes: 73521, 73522

Geography and Location

Altus, Oklahoma is located in Jackson County, in southwestern Oklahoma, about 55 miles northwest of Lawton. The city is home to Altus Air Force Base, a key training center for U.S. military pilots, which plays a central role in the local economy. Altus is also a regional agricultural hub, with cotton, wheat, and cattle being important industries. The surrounding landscape is mostly flat plains, typical of southwestern Oklahoma. The town’s location along U.S. Route 62 and U.S. Route 283 provides easy access to larger cities in the region.

Demographics

Median resident age: 31.6 years
Median household income: $30,217
Median house value: $62,200

Population by Race

Races in Altus:

  • White Non-Hispanic (67.4%)
  • Hispanic (17.2%)
  • Black (10.4%)
  • Other race (10.3%)
  • Two or more races (3.6%)
  • American Indian (2.6%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (12.6%), Irish (10.0%), United States (9.7%), English (9.0%), French (2.1%), Italian (2.0%).

Elevation: 1398 feet

Land area: 16.8 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Altus

  • High school or higher: 78.8%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.8%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 7.6%
  • Unemployed: 5.6%
  • Mean travel time to work: 12.4 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Altus city

  • Never married: 21.2%
  • Now married: 59.8%
  • Separated: 2.2%
  • Widowed: 5.8%
  • Divorced: 10.9%

5.5% Foreign born (3.3% Latin America, 1.1% Asia, 0.9% Europe).

Population change in the 1990s: -389 (-1.8%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Altus:

  • JACKSON COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (1200 EAST PECAN, P O BOX)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Altus:

  • MANGUM CITY HOSPITAL (about 20 miles; MANGUM, OK)
  • CHILLICOTHE HOSPITAL DISTRICT (about 30 miles; CHILLICOTHE, TX)
  • MEMORIAL HOSPITAL & PHYSICIAN (about 30 miles; FREDERICK, OK)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Altus:

  • ALTUS AFB (about 5 miles; ALTUS, OK; Abbreviation: LTS)
  • HENRY POST AAF (about 65 miles; FORT SILL, OK; Abbreviation: FSI)
  • LAWTON-FORT SILL REGIONAL (about 65 miles; LAWTON, OK; Abbreviation: LAW)

Other public-use airports nearest to Altus:

  • ALTUS/QUARTZ MOUNTAIN RGNL (about 3 miles; ALTUS, OK; Abbreviation: AXS)
  • OLUSTEE MUNI (about 12 miles; OLUSTEE, OK; Abbreviation: F09)
  • TIPTON MUNI (about 18 miles; TIPTON, OK; Abbreviation: 1O8)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Altus:

  • WESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 1,304; Location: 2801 N MAIN ST; Public; Website: www.western.cc.ok.us)
  • SOUTHWEST TECHNOLOGY CENTER (Full-time enrollment: 72; Location: 711 W TAMARACK; Public; Website: swtc.org)
  • ALADDIN BEAUTY COLLEGE 9 (Location: 212 W COMMERCE; Private, for-profit)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Altus:

  • CAMERON UNIVERSITY (about 60 miles; LAWTON, OK; Full-time enrollment: 3,529)
  • SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 75 miles; WEATHERFORD, OK; Full-time enrollment: 4,360)
  • MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 77 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,619)
  • SOUTHERN NAZARENE UNIVERSITY (about 131 miles; BETHANY, OK; Full-time enrollment: 2,002)
  • OKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 133 miles; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; Full-time enrollment: 5,220)
  • OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY-OKLAHOMA CITY (about 135 miles; OKLAHOMA CITY, OK; Full-time enrollment: 2,164)
  • UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA NORMAN CAMPUS (about 136 miles; NORMAN, OK; Full-time enrollment: 20,154)

Schools

Public high schools in Altus:

  • ALTUS HS (Students: 868; Location: 400 N. PARK AVENUE; Grades: 10 – 12)
  • NAVAJO HS (Students: 105; Location: 15695 S. CR. 210; Grades: 10 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Altus:

  • ALTUS JHS (Students: 647; Location: RIDGECREST & SOUTH PARK LANE; Grades: 08 – 09)
  • ALTUS MS (Students: 636; Location: 1221 NORTH HOWSE; Grades: 06 – 07)
  • SUNSET ES (Students: 575; Location: 1830 SUNSET DRIVE; Grades: PK – 05)
  • ROOSEVELT ES (Students: 420; Location: 1200 GLENDA; Grades: KG – 05)
  • WILL ROGERS ES (Students: 411; Location: 1100 NORTH FORREST; Grades: KG – 05)
  • RIVERS ES (Students: 411; Location: 3000 VETERANS DRIVE; Grades: KG – 05)
  • WASHINGTON ES (Students: 311; Location: 311 E. CYPRESS; Grades: PK – 05)
  • NAVAJO ES (Students: 256; Location: 15695 S, COUNTY ROAD 210; Grades: KG – 06)
  • NAVAJO JHS (Students: 105; Location: 15695 S. CR. 210; Grades: 07 – 09)

Libraries

Library in Altus:

  • SOUTHERN PRAIRIE LIBRARY SYSTEM (Operating income: $513,059; Location: 421 NORTH HUDSON; 58,810 books; 1,048 audio materials; 1,019 video materials; 79 serial subscriptions)

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