IXL, Oklahoma

IXL (or I.X.L.) is an historical freedmen's town[1] in Okfuskee County, Oklahoma, United States.[2] While founded perhaps as early as 1900,[1] it was only incorporated in 2001[3] and had an estimated population of 59 in 2007.[4] The population was 59 at the time of the 2020 census.[5]

The source of IXL's unusual[6] name is disputed. A 2012 article on the town's website explained that the name derived from Indian Exchange Land, a reference to the town being on Mvskoke land.[7] Other sources claim that the letters were taken from the names of three men.[1][8] Some people think it’s an onomatopoeic boast suggesting "I excel."[9]

This town should not be confused with Oklahoma towns in Kay County and Tillman County which also bears the "IXL" name.[1] Around 1926, Julius Rosenwald Fund provided a grant in the amount of $1,100 for the community to build a school building for the IXL District 12. The school was segregated for grades one through eight.[1]

Demographics

As of 2024, the population for IXL was 59. 56.67% of residents were Black or African American, 20% were two or more races, 16.67% were Native American, and 6.67% of residents were white. [10]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
201051—
20205915.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "IXL | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture". www.okhistory.org. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: IXL, Oklahoma
  3. ^ "Boundary Changes". Geographic Change Notes: Oklahoma. Population Division, United States Census Bureau. May 19, 2006. Archived from the original on February 6, 2006. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
  4. ^ "Table 4. Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Oklahoma: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. July 10, 2007. Archived from the original (CSV) on September 26, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
  5. ^ "IXL (town), Oklahoma". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  6. ^ Parker, Quentin (2010). Welcome to Horneytown, North Carolina, Population: 15: An insider's guide to 201 of the world's weirdest and wildest places. Adams Media. pp. x. ISBN 9781440507397.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ Wallace, William (March 12, 2012). "What does "IXL" mean?". IXL. Archived from the original on June 18, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  8. ^ Horcher, Gary (September 4, 1999). "Oklahoma's Strangely Named Towns: IXL, Oklahoma". KWTV-DT. Archived from the original on December 18, 2001. Retrieved August 16, 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ "50 Strangest Town Names in America (and Where They Came From)". Coleman Andrews, MSN News, July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "IXL, Oklahoma Population 2024". worldpopulationreview.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  11. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.


35°31′21″N 96°23′18″W / 35.52250°N 96.38833°W / 35.52250; -96.38833


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