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Altus, OK

Frequently asked questions

Altus, OK

Altus is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 18,729 at the 2020 census. Altus is home to Altus Air Force Base, the United States Air Force training base for C-17, KC-46, and KC-135 aircrews. It is also home to Western Oklahoma State College and Southwest Technology Center. 

The town that would later be named Altus was founded in 1886. The community was originally called "Frazer", a settlement of about 50 people on Bitter Creek that served as a trading post on the Great Western Cattle Trail. Cowboys driving herds northward often stopped to buy buttermilk from John McClearan. Thus, the town was known locally as "Buttermilk Station". The Frazer post office opened on February 18, 1886. A flash flood nearly destroyed Frazer on June 4, 1891. The residents moved to higher ground 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east of the original site. W. R. Baucum suggested renaming the town "Altus", a Latin word meaning "high". This name stuck, although the town was also known as "Leger" from July 10, 1901, to May 14, 1904.

The population doubled between the time of Oklahoma statehood and the 1910 census and even increased during the Great Depression. Although Altus had been designated as the Jackson County seat at the time of statehood, an election was held in 1908 to determine the permanent seat. The two towns contending were Altus and Olustee. Altus won by a vote of 2,077 to 1,365. The county courthouse was built there in 1910. An irrigation project in the 1940s and World War II led to further growth in the town as the nearby airfield was used to train military pilots. In 1908, the Kansas City, Mexico, and Orient Railway (acquired by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway in 1929) built a line through Altus. 

By 1930, Altus had eight cotton gins, two cotton compresses, and eighteen wholesale businesses. Altus is located in northeastern Jackson County. It is situated in what used to be Old Greer County, an area with disputed ownership until a Supreme Court decision awarded it to Oklahoma Territory instead of Texas. The city lies between the main channel and the North Fork of the Red River According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Altus has a total area of 18.6 square miles (48.1 km2), of which 18.4 square miles (47.6 km2) are land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km2), or 1.08%, is water.

In Altus, OK, residents have access to various options for maintaining their health and wellness. Tranquility Wellness Spa offers a range of spa treatments, including massages, facials, and body scrubs, designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation. FUSION FITNESS provides state-of-the-art exercise equipment, personal training services, and group fitness classes to support individuals in achieving their fitness goals. Shape UP Altus offers yoga classes for practitioners of all levels, focusing on enhancing flexibility, balance, and mental clarity. Reed Chiropractic Clinic specializes in chiropractic care, offering adjustments, therapeutic exercises, and wellness consultations to address musculoskeletal issues and promote overall well-being. Additionally, Altus City Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, featuring walking trails, sports fields, and picnic areas for residents to enjoy physical activity and fresh air. The Altus Community Center hosts wellness seminars, health screenings, and fitness challenges to educate and engage the community in healthy lifestyle choices. These diverse offerings make Altus a supportive environment for individuals looking to prioritize their health and wellness.

Top sites in Altus, OK are Town & Country Lane, The Greens of Altus, and the Museum of the Western Prairie. 

Population: 18,543 (2024). ZIP codes: 73521, 73523. Area code: 580. Elevation: 1,365 ft (416 m). Area: 18.41 sq mi (47.69 km2).

FAQs

What is Altus, OK famous for?

Altus has continued to grow as an economic and medical hub of southwest Oklahoma. Since 1942 Altus Air Force Base has been the city's economic cornerstone. Other major employers include Jackson County Memorial Hospital and Bar-S Foods Company. The Lugert-Altus Irrigation District, completed in 1947-48, furnishes water to the local agricultural area, where wheat, cotton, and grain sorghum are grown.

Is Altus, OK a rural area?

Short Description of the Area: Altus is a small city in southwestern Oklahoma, just 55 miles west of Lawton and 138 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, the state capital. This area of Oklahoma is pretty rural and remains farmland and ranches as it has been for many, many years. Fort Worth, Texas, is just about a 3-hour drive to the southeast.

What is the ethnicity of Altus, OK?

White: 70.94% Two or more races: 11.26% Black or African American: 7.84% Other race: 6.53%. The average household income in Altus is $72,260 with a poverty rate of 15.61%. The median age in Altus is 33.4 years: 32.3 years for males, and 34.6 years for females.

Sources

Wikipedia

World Population Review

Altus City Park

City of Altus

Altus AFB

U.S. Census Bureau - Altus, Oklahoma

Tranquility Wellness Spa

FUSION FITNESS 

Shape UP Altu

Reed Chiropractic Clinic

Altus City Park

Town & Country Lane

The Greens of Altus

Museum of the Western Prairie

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