Page Contents for Picher, Oklahoma

Statistics & Facts

Location

Historical Events

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Oklahoma state capital is Oklahoma City.
The population of Picher is approximately 1,640 (2000), 20 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 708 (2000), 10 (2010).
The amount of land area in Picher is 5.615 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Picher is 2.2 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0.012 sq kilometers.
The distance from Picher to Washington DC is 1019 miles.
The distance to the Oklahoma state capital is 184 miles. (as the crow flies)
Picher is positioned 36.98 degrees north of the equator and 94.83 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Picher elevation is 820 feet above sea level.
Picher per capita income is $ 10,938 (2000).
Picher median income is $ 20,700 (2005).
The Picher median home price is $ 24,700 (2005).

Location

in northeastern Oklahoma about 78 miles from Fayetteville, Arkansas and about 96 miles from Tulsa. Other nearby communities include: Cardin, Treece, Quapaw, Commerce, North Miami, Baxter Springs, Miami and Dotyville.
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Picher Historical Events

2008 May 10
On May 10, 2008, Picher was struck by a tornado. As of May 11th there were nine confirmed deaths, possibly including one child, and many other injuries. Emergency management office is reporting that about 20 blocks of the town are heavily damaged. The residential area was hardest hit and many of the homes and trailers were leveled to the ground.[10] Oklahoma governor Brad Henry has said that a major emergency response was underway and has sent National Guard troops along with emergency personnel to the area to help with disaster relief efforts

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2008 May 10
Picher has become notable for its location near the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Tar Creek Superfund site, which had a long history of underground lead and zinc mining until around 1970. Chat piles left behind by the mining companies contain 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 are used by children for swimming. Since the children of Picher have been found to have elevated levels of lead in their bodies, the EPA has since declared Picher to be one of the most toxic areas in the United States (Associated Press 10 May 2008) Picher

Miscellany

The population of Picher was:
1990 - 1,714
2000 - 1,640
2006 - 1,633

The number of housing units was:
1990 - 864
2000 - 708

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Median age:
2000 - 36.8 years

Median household income:
2000 - $ 19,722
2005 - $ 22,000

Median house value:
2000 - $ 20,700
2005 - $ 24,700

Picher is located in the Central Time Zone and does participate in daylight savings time during a portion of the year.