Tillman County is a county in Oklahoma, United States, on the Texas border in the southwestern part of the state. It had a population of 6,968 at the 2020 census and covers 879 square miles (2,280 km2) centred near 34°23′N 98°55′W.
Frederick is the county seat; its postal code is 73542. The county has two incorporated cities and five incorporated towns, along with a scattering of small unincorporated communities. Tillman County observes Central time and carries FIPS code 40141.
Towns & Villages in Tillman County
Nine places are recognized in Tillman County: two incorporated cities (Frederick and Grandfield) and five incorporated towns (Chattanooga, Davidson, Hollister, Loveland, Manitou and Tipton), plus the ghost town of Eschiti. Oklahoma has no civil townships, so places are organized directly under the county.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick | City · seat | 3,468 | 73542 |
| Grandfield | City | 919 | 73546 |
| Chattanooga | Town | — | — |
| Davidson | Town | — | 73530 |
| Hollister | Town | — | 73551 |
| Loveland | Town | — | 73553 |
| Manitou | Town | — | 73555 |
| Tipton | Town | — | 73570 |
Frederick, the seat, holds just under half the county’s population; Grandfield, 30 miles southeast at the junction of US 70 and State Highway 36, is the only other incorporated city. The remaining towns are farm-service centers of a few hundred residents or fewer, strung along US 70 and US 183 toward the Texas line.
ZIP Codes
- 73542 — Frederick
- 73546 — Grandfield
- 73530 — Davidson
- 73551 — Hollister
- 73553 — Loveland
- 73555 — Manitou
- 73570 — Tipton
Chattanooga does not carry its own ZIP; mail there is typically handled through a neighboring county post office.
Geography
Tillman County lies on the mixed-grass prairie of southwestern Oklahoma, mostly flat to gently rolling farmland given over to cotton, wheat and cattle. The Red River forms the county’s entire southern edge, separating it from Texas, and several of its tributary creeks drain the county from northwest to southeast.
Tillman County borders Kiowa County to the north, Comanche County to the northeast, Cotton County to the east, Wichita County, Texas to the south, Wilbarger County, Texas to the southwest, and Jackson County to the northwest.
Elevation ranges from around 1,000 feet along the Red River bottoms to nearly 1,500 feet on the higher prairie in the northern half of the county. Irrigation canals fed by wells and small reservoirs supplement rainfall for the cotton fields around Frederick and Grandfield.
Demographics
The county’s population was 6,968 at the 2020 census, giving a density of about 8 people per square mile across 871 square miles of land. Frederick (3,468) and Grandfield (919) are the two largest communities, together holding roughly two-thirds of the county’s residents. Median household income in the county has long trailed the Oklahoma median of $62,138, reflecting the area’s reliance on agriculture rather than higher-wage industry.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture drives the local economy: cotton, wheat and grain sorghum in the fields, cattle ranching on the range. Frederick Regional Airport, built as Frederick Army Air Field during the Second World War, now serves general aviation and a flight-training operation that draws students from outside the county. Frederick’s downtown and the county fairgrounds host the area’s main civic and agricultural events.
History
Tillman County was organized on November 16, 1907, the day Oklahoma achieved statehood, carved from what had been the Big Pasture reservation lands opened to settlement only a few years earlier. It is named for U.S. Senator Benjamin Tillman of South Carolina, though he had no direct connection to the county. Grandfield’s early growth was tied to the Northwest and Red River oil fields; the county’s fortunes since have followed the region’s farm economy more than oil.
Getting There
US 62, US 70 and US 183 cross the county, along with State Highways 5, 36 and 54.
- Lawton, Oklahoma — 40 miles northeast via Comanche County
- Wichita Falls, Texas — 45 miles south
- Altus, Oklahoma — 35 miles northwest
- Vernon, Texas — 30 miles southwest
The nearest commercial airport is Wichita Falls Municipal/Sheppard Field, about 45 miles south.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tillman County?
It is in southwestern Oklahoma, on the Texas border, about 40 miles southeast of Lawton.
What is the population of Tillman County?
6,968 people, per the 2020 census.
How big is Tillman County?
879 square miles (2,280 km2), of which 871 square miles are land.
What is the county seat of Tillman County?
Frederick is the county seat and largest city.
How many towns are in Tillman County?
Nine recognized places: two incorporated cities and five incorporated towns, plus the ghost town of Eschiti and a couple of unincorporated crossroads communities.
What ZIP codes are in Tillman County?
73542, 73546, 73530, 73551, 73553, 73555 and 73570.
Is Tillman County on the Texas border?
Yes. The Red River forms its entire southern boundary with Texas.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Oklahoma.