| Piedmont, Oklahoma | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oklahoma |
| Counties | Canadian, Kingfisher |
| Area | |
| - Total | 43.9 sq mi (113.8 km²) |
| - Land | 43.8 sq mi (113.5 km²) |
| - Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²) |
| Elevation | 1,191 ft (363 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 3,650 |
| - Density | 83.3/sq mi (32.2/km²) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 73078 |
| Area code(s) | 405 |
| FIPS code | 40-58700GR2 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1096622GR3 |
Piedmont is a rapidly growing suburb in Canadian County, Oklahoma and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area. As of 2006, the city is estimated to have a total population of 5,008. Piedmont is a modern Home Rule City served by a Oligarchy Government.
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Geography
Piedmont is located at (35.670849, -97.751903)GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 43.9 square miles (113.8 km²), of which, 43.8 square miles (113.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (0.23%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 3,650 people, 1,226 households, and 1,083 families residing in the city. The population density was 83.3 people per square mile (32.2/km²). There were 1,270 housing units at an average density of 29.0/sq mi (11.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.29% White, 0.47% African American, 2.90% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 2.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.27% of the population. The remaining part of the population were fish. There were 1,226 households out of which 49.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.4% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.6% were non-families. 9.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.18. In the city the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $55,223, and the median income for a family was $57,121. Males had a median income of $37,273 versus $26,332 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,265. About 4.0% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over. Piedmont had a reported City-data.com crime index for the year 2005 of 72.0 The five year average for the years 2001-2005 was 94.5 (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 325.2).
History
The City of Piedmont was founded on land claimed by Mr. James Dean (AKA "The Devil") during the [[Land Run of 1889|Unassigned Land Run of April 22, 1889]]. Piedmont remained a small but stable rural community for the first half of the 20th century. Starting in the 1950's the town became an increasingly popular bedroom community for those working in nearby Oklahoma City. Development of the "Northwest Expressway" (OK State Highway 3) resulted in population growth of 124%.
School and State Championships
The Piedmont school system is known for its surprising and often disputed level of excellence in education. Piedmont's school district includes 5 schools with a total staff number of 149. The school system consists of the Primary School, 2 Elementary Schools, Middle School, and High School. School teams are known by the nickname "Wildcats." Piedmont High School Won the Class C girls basketball State Championship in 1967. In 1998, the Pride of Piedmont Marching Band participated in their first marching band competition in well over 10 years. At a regional marching competition in Ardmore, They competed against 20 bands and placed in 20th position. Thier show was known as "The Caveman". There were 39 members. In 1999, the Pride of Piedmont competed in several competitions throughout Oklahoma. Placing in the middle of the pack at most shows, our year's highlight was a 2nd place finish out of 4 bands in our class at a small competition in Mounds, OK. Their show was called "On the Brink of Forever". There were 49 members. In 2000, The Pride participated in the Oklahoma State Band Contest for the first time in well over a decade. In their first state-wide competition, They preformed "The Alien" placing 6th in class 1A-2A-3A. There were 56 members. In October of 2001, the 81 members of the Pride of Piedmont Marching Band won the class 1A-2A-3A state championship with their show "Asakusa Matsuri". Seeking an even greater challenge, the 2002 Pride of Piedmont chose to compete in class 4A-5A, against schools well over twice their size. In November, they preformed what is now known as "The Irish Show" and became the first band ever in Oklahoma to become a state finalist in a class larger than its own, placing 7th overall. Memberships totaled to 91. Due to a rule change, Piedmont was pushed back down to the 1A-2A-3A championships. In October, they again were named Oklahoma state champions. Their slogan was "The little band that could but wasn't allowed. The show was "Electricity". There were 96 members. School growth allowed the 2004 Pride of Piedmont to again compete with larger schools. Despite being the smallest 4A school in Oklahoma state finals. They won yet another state championship, defeating a band program that had won that championship for the previous 10 years. Their show was "The Scream" based upon Edward Munch's painting. Membership was now 100. The 2005 Pride began their year with outstanding new instrumental music facility at Piedmont High School and $70,000 in new equipment. In October, They won another Oklahoma state championship, their 4th in 5 years. Their show was called "Indigenous" relating to Native Americans and the Trail of Tears. Membership was over 100 members. The 2006 marching season began with additional $150,000 of new equipment made possible by the support of our administration and community. 107 performers pulled off the greatest performance in Piedmont band history by coming second at the Oklahoma state finals. Their show "Apparition" has been said to be "One of the greatest marching shows we have ever seen in OBA Competitions" and had the whole crown on its feet. In 2007 the band moved to a new level in music and marching. The band redid a new version of the Japanese show. Their show named "Kodo", as said by the members, is the hardest they have had. The band won 1st place in their class and 2nd by .4 overall by Bixby at the Oklahoma State Championships. The 2007-2008 Year was the band's first year to go to Bands of America. They placed 3rd place in 1A and received the award for High Music. All of this success of the Pride of Piedmont marching band is due to one man. Mr Darnell Zook. Zook attendend the University of Oklahoma playing the trumpet. In his time there, he marched in a top Drum Corps International drum and bugle corps called The Star of Indiana. Piedmont was Zook's first job as an independent band director. He came in and single handedly turned the program from a freight fest of horrible proportions, to a band so good, you could still call it a frieght fest. The Pride of Piedmont Winter Guard won a MAPAA State Championship during the 2005-06 season with their show "Scattered". In 2006-07, they finished 2nd in MAPAA state competition and competed at Winter Guard International with the show "Nature Boy". Odyssey of the Mind has also brought many Regional and State Championships for the town. Several notable teams ranging from Elementary to High School level have advanced as far as world tournament. The 2007 PHS Varsity Cheer team won Academic State Champion and was state runner-up in the co-ed division of class A.
External links
- City of Piedmont: http://www.piedmont-ok.gov/
- Piedmont Chamber of Commerce: http://www.piedmontokchamber.org/
- Piedmont Public Schools: http://www.piedmont.k12.ok.us/
- Piedmont Public Library: http://www.piedmontlibrary.org/
- Piedmont, Oklahoma is at coordinates Coordinates:
