Peggs, Oklahoma


Peggs is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States. It had a population of 813 at the 2010 census, compared to 814 at the 2000 census. A large minority of its residents are Native American, most of them members of 10 tribal groups such as the Cherokee Nation and the Muscogee Creek Nation.

History

The post office was established December 6, 1899. It was named for Thomas Pegg, acting principal chief of the Cherokee Nation during the Civil War.
A tornado destroyed Peggs on May 2, 1920, killing 71 people, what was about 30 percent of the town's population at the time. It is the deadliest tornado on record to have struck within NWS Tulsa's county warning area, and the third-deadliest in Oklahoma history. In May 2019 another tornado hit Peggs, but the EF-2 caused no fatalities, only damage to a few homes and businesses.

Geography

Peggs is located in northwestern Cherokee County, along Oklahoma State Highway 82, which leads southeast to Tahlequah, the county seat, and northwest to Locust Grove in Mayes County.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Peggs CDP has an area of, all land.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Peggs had a population of 789. The median age was 41.3 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 78.8 males age 18 and over.
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 295 households in Peggs, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 59.7% were married-couple households, 19.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 15.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 323 housing units, of which 8.7% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.5%.
RaceNumberPercent
White39550.1%
Black or African American20.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native29837.8%
Asian00.0%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander00.0%
Some other race60.8%
Two or more races8811.2%
Hispanic or Latino 243.0%

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, Peggs had a population of 813.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, Peggs had a population of 814.

Economy

There are three convenience stores and one post office in the small community. There is also a senior community center serving noon meals to senior citizens.

Education

Much of Peggs CDP is in the Peggs Public School elementary school district. Portions are in the Locust Grove Public Schools school district for grades PK-12.
The Peggs school district currently has one elementary school, with 9-12 grade either going to neighboring Tahlequah, Hulbert, or Locust Grove to high school.

Notable people