Moore, Oklahoma

Moore is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. The population was 55,081 at the 2010 census, making it the seventh largest city in the state of Oklahoma.

Situated next to the northern boundary of Cleveland County, Moore is the second largest city in the county and the seventh largest city in the state. Moore was once known for as sleeping community is now known for its fine dining, entertainment and shopping. Moore is less than twenty minutes from downtown Oklahoma City, Will Rogers World Airport, Tinker Air Force Base, the University of Oklahoma, the Federal Aviation Administration's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, and thousands of businesses, industries, public and private schools, as well as recreational and cultural facilities.

The city of Moore has been damaged by significant tornadoes on October 4, 1998, May 3, 1999, May 8, 2003, and May 10, 2010. The May 3, 1999 tornado that hit Moore was rated an F5 on the Fujita scale, and was one of the strongest and most destructive tornadoes in history. The tornado, which occurred during the 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak, had an approximate recorded wind speed of 318 mi/h, the highest speed on the first F-Scale, left a swath of destruction over 1 mi wide at times, and 38 mi long. It killed a total of 36 people in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. This was the deadliest F5 tornado recorded since the Delhi, Louisiana tornado in 1971 although several tornadoes from 2011 eclipsed this mark.

History
Moore was founded during the land-run of 1889. The early settlers came on train, horseback, wagons, and some, on foot. According to local historians, the town's original name was "Verbeck" as designated by the railroad company. However, a railroad employee named Al Moore, reported to be either a conductor or a brakeman, lived in a boxcar at the camp and had difficulty receiving his mail. He painted his name - "Moore" - on a board and nailed it on the boxcar. When a postmaster was appointed, he continued to call the settlement Moore. When the town incorporated in 1893 the name was legalized.

The original town site comprised a small area bounded by the present NE 3rd Street on the north and SE 4th Street on the south; the eastern limit was situated about one and a half blocks east of the railroad and the western edge about two and a half blocks west of the railroad. The little town slumbered comfortably for seventy years—then it exploded in a frenzy of expansion and development that attracted attention nationwide. In 1961 approximately 21.6 sqmi of additional territory was annexed and Moore became a city in 1962. The decade of the 60's saw Moore's population soar.

The 1970 census showed an increase of more than 950% for a total of 18,761. The 1980 Census recorded 35,063 residents - an 86% growth rate. Moore continued to grow during the 80's, with the 1990 Census indicating a 15% increase to 40,318. The 2000 census listed Moore's population as 41,138. The 2010 population of 55,086. On May 3, 1999, Moore experienced the most violent tornado ever recorded. As a result, over 1,000 dwelling units were destroyed and some 3,000 to 4,000 residents were either temporarily or permanently displaced. Several hundred homes have been rebuilt, and Moore is well on the way to recovery from that devastating storm.

An important factor in the city's growth has been its location. The close proximity and easy access to the state's capital city on the north and the University of Oklahoma to the south make Moore an attractive, convenient place to live. Moore is an Oklahoma "Certified City" and strives to maintain a high quality of life for its citizenry.

Geography
Moore is located at 35.33889°N, -97.4875°W (35.338813, -97.487584).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.9 sqmi, of which, 21.7 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 41,138 people, 14,848 households, and 11,566 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,892.8 people per square mile (730.9/km²). There were 15,801 housing units at an average density of 727.0 per square mile (280.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.63% White, 2.92% Black, 4.14% Native American, 1.62% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.75% from other races, and 4.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.10% of the population.

There were 14,848 households out of which 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.4% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,409, and the median income for a family was $47,773. Males had a median income of $33,394 versus $24,753 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,689. About 6.3% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

School system
The City of Moore has 3 high schools, Moore High, Southmoore and Westmoore. There are also 5 junior high schools: Brink, Central, Highland East, Highland West and Moore West, and 23 elementary schools: Apple Creek, Briarwood, Broadmoore, Bryant, Central, Earlywine, Eastlake, Fairview, Fisher, Heritage Trails, Houchin, Kelley, Kingsgate, Northmoor, Oakridge, Plaza Towers, Red Oak, Santa Fe, Sky Ranch, Sooner, Southgate-Rippetoe, Wayland Bonds and Winding Creek.

Notable residents and natives
Actor: Danny Cooksey. His Diff'rent Strokes co-star, Dana Plato died of a drug overdose on May 8, 1999 in a recreational vehicle outside of her fiancé's parents' house in Moore.

Meteorologist and Storm chaser: Juston Drake. He is originally from Topeka, Kansas. He attained his Degree in Meteorology from University of Oklahoma.

Musicians and bands: Toby Keith, Kellie Coffey, and Rusty Anderson (lead guitarist for Johnny Lee).

U.S. Representative Tom Cole, currently the only Native American serving in Congress, lives in Moore with his wife and son.

Michael Hinckley, Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Pornographic actress Jesse Jane graduated high school in Moore. She was also a varsity cheerleader.

Randy Wayne was born and raised in Moore.

Miss Oklahoma USA and first runner up to Miss USA 2010 - Morgan Woolard

Randall L. Stephenson, Currently The Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of AT&T Inc.

Moore Veterans Memorial
The City of Moore has funded the construction of a memorial to honor America's veterans and their families. The City renamed JD Estates Park to Veterans Memorial Park and at the entrance to that park, a memorial is being constructed.

The main feature of the memorial is a 15' black, granite obelisk that has the following inscription on it "May this hallowed ground honor the sacrifice of America's finest veterans, civilians, and their families- past, present, and future. We will never forget." Another major feature of the memorial are five black, granite tablets with the seal of the five branches of the service. At the center of the memorial is a flag plaza with a 30' foot pole for the American flag and two 25' poles for the Oklahoma flag and the POW/MIA flag. The flag plaza is surrounded by a polished concrete walking area with a stained 5 pointed star stretching the entire width and height of the walking area. The memorial also features beautiful landscaping.

A committee was formed to plan the second phase of the Moore Veterans Memorial. A campaign to sell bricks to be placed in the memorial was completed in early 2009. Over 190 bricks were purchased by supporters from the community and surrounding areas. The bricks were placed in the Memorial Wall and Phase II completed in May 2009.

The Soldiers' Memorial was dedicated on May 15, 2010. It consists of four carved, wooden soldiers representing the four major wars since the end of World War I. They include World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Afghanistan/Iraq War.