Kay County, Oklahoma

Kay County
Kay County Courthouse in Newkirk (2010)
Location within the U.S. state of Oklahoma
Oklahoma's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°49′N 97°08′W / 36.81°N 97.14°W / 36.81; -97.14
Country United States
State Oklahoma
Founded1893
SeatNewkirk
Largest cityPonca City
Area
  Total
945 sq mi (2,450 km2)
  Land920 sq mi (2,400 km2)
  Water25 sq mi (60 km2)  2.7%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
43,700
  Density46/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitehttps://www.courthouse.kay.ok.us/

Kay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of the 2020 census, its population was 43,700. Its county seat is Newkirk, and the largest city is Ponca City.

Kay County comprises the Ponca City micropolitan statistical area. It is in north-central Oklahoma on the Kansas state line.

Before statehood, Kay County was formed from the "Cherokee Strip" or "Cherokee Outlet" and originally designated as county "K". Its name means simply that. Kay County is the only county to keep its same name as the Oklahoma area moved from a territory to a state.