City: Chelsea

Chelsea is in the northeaster portion of Rogers County, 25 miles northeast of Claremore, Oklahoma and 50 miles northeast of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

County: Rogers

*U.S. Census Bureau

Population

Data from the 2000 population census place the Chelsea population at 2,136 and the population of Rogers County at 70,641.

Percent Distribution of the Population by Race – 2000

In Rogers County, 79.9% of the population is White, .7% of the population is Black, 12.1% is Native American, 1.8% is Hispanic or Latino origin, and the remaining 5.5% is comprised of all other races.

Labor Force

The Rogers County labor force was 34757 in 1998. Participation rate in the county labor force constitutes 77.24% of males and 55.58% of females.

Climate

The average January temperature in Chelsea is 34 degrees Fahrenheit with a July temperature average of 78 degrees. The area receives an average of 38 inches of rain annually and 9 inches of snow. The average number of flying days is 343.

General Government

Chelsea has five trustees elected at large that govern their city. There is a comprehensive city plan and zoning. The city provides garbage service.

Public Safety

Chelsea has 20 volunteer fire personnel and 5 full-time police officers. The city’s fire insurance has a 7 classification while the adjacent area has a 10 classification.

Utility Providers

Utility services are provided primarily by the following carriers:

            Electric – Public Service Company

            Natural Gas – Chelsea Gas Authority

Telephone – Southwestern Bell Telephone

Water System

Sanitation and Sewage Treatment

Chelsea has a lagoon system of treatment. The city's sewage treatment system is currently operating at approximately 63% of capacity.

                        Sewer Treatment Capacity and Load

Express and Motor Freight

More than ten motor freight companies serve Chelsea on an as-needed basis. United Parcel Service and Federal Express are also available.

Distance to Major Cities

Oklahoma is centrally located in the U.S. The distance from Chelsea to the following cities is:

Air Transportation

The nearest commercial airport is 45 miles from Chelsea, at Tulsa. This airport is a full service field with three runways, the longest having a total runway length  of 10,000 feet. There are at least 10 major commercial airlines operating out of Tulsa International Airport. There are 17 air freight companies in operation.

Water Transportation

The nearest water transportation is the Port of Catoosa. It is 40 miles from Chelsea and has a channel depth of 9 feet. It is connected via the Arkansas River to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.

Road System

Chelsea is located at the intersection of US 66 and SH 28. The nearest interstate highway is I-44, approximately 12 miles to the south.

Rail and Bus Availability

Chelsea is served by Greyhound Bus service. Rail service is available from Burlington Northern Railroad.

Accommodations

Approximately 150 people can be seated in the largest banquet hall.

Housing

Chelsea has 827 dwellings; 69.5% are owner-occupied.

Places of Worship

Eighteen Protestant churches are located in the city of Chelsea.

Media

Chelsea has one weekly newspaper and cable television is available.

Tax Structure

Chelsea’s property tax rate is $94.61 per $1,000 assessed value for the year 1998-99. The fractional assessment percentage for real property is 11.00%  and for personal property; 11.00%. The property tax is distributed as follows:

Bond Indebtedness

Sales Taxes

The city has a sales tax rate of 2.0%. In addition, the state levies a 4.5% tax rate on sales. Rogers County levies a 1.5% sales tax.

Commercial Services

Machine shop, tool and die services are local. The nearest electric and motor repair service is 18 miles.

Educational Resources

Chelsea has four primary and secondary schools with approximately 925 students and 70 teachers.

Chelsea is 18 miles from Rogers University and within 50 miles of the University of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University, Tulsa Junior College, University of Phoenix, OSU-Tulsa, and the University Center at Tulsa. The Northeast Area Vo-Tech is 27 miles away.

There is a public library in Chelsea.

Telecommunications

Telecommunications information on Chelsea is not available.

Medical Facilities and Medical Practitioners

There is 1 nursing home with 60 total beds. Practicing in the Chelsea area are two osteopaths and one dentist. The nearest hospital to Chelsea is 18 miles.

Financial Institutions

Chelsea has two banks with assets totaling $47,000,000.

Industrial Financing

The Oklahoma Finance Authorities (OFA) provide low interest financing through the issuance of general obligation bonds. The loans are established at 300 basis points over cost. In a first mortgage position the loan can be up to $1.25 million. Many Oklahoma counties have voted approval of General Obligation Limited-Tax Bonds for economic development. The amount of  bonds the counties can issue is limited to no more than could be retired by a special tax levy of 5 mills. The proceeds of the bonds are generally used to acquire or build a facility associated with the development project. Lease income from the facility is used to amortize the bonds.

Recreational Facilities

The citizens of Chelsea have access to a number of recreational facilities.

Other Attractions

Chelsea also offers camping and hunting.

Business

The employment and establishment data reported in the following table is for Rogers County. It should be noted that this employment data excludes some types of employment, namely government and railroad employment.

SOURCE: Oklahoma County Business Patterns 1996

Major Employers

Other Community Information

Chelsea is a Capital Improvements Planning city. A Planning and Zoning Ordinance passed 4-99. 

Local Development Organization
Chelsea Economic Development Authority
Maurice Clark
c/o City Hall
P.O. Box 48
Chelsea, Oklahoma 74016
Phone: 918-789-2557
Fax: 918-789-2932

Prepared by Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Research Division, July, 1999.