Johnston County was created at statehood and named for Douglas H. Johnston, governor of the Chickasaw Nation. The county seat, Tishomingo, is the historic capital of the Chickasaw Nation.
Major industries in the county are Meridian Aggregates, Unimin, U.S. Silica, and Sundowner Trailers. Wildlife and recreational areas include the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, the Federal Fish Hatchery and Catfish Research Center near Reagan, and the Blue River Public Hunting and Fishing area north of Tishomingo. Blue River is stocked with trout every fall and trout derbies are held in February and November each year.
Tishomingo is the home of Murray State College and Technical School and the Chickasaw Council House Museum. Johnston County was the home of both William H. Murray and son Johnston Murray, governors of Oklahoma; and entertainer Gene Autry.
Johnston County History and other books by the Johnston County Historical Society document the history of the area. For additional information, call the county clerk at 580/371-3184. County narrative provided courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries from the 2002-2004 Oklahoma Almanac.
| Population Totals | ||
| 2002 Estimate | 2000 Census | |
| Johnston | 10,500 | 10,513 |
| Median Age: | 38.0 | |
| Median Household Income: | $24,592 |
Colleges and Universities
Murray State College
County Government
County Seat: Tishomingo
Court Clerk - Kathy Ross, D, Milburn
Clerk - Cassandra Slover, D, Tishomingo
Sheriff - Tom Whinkler, D, Ravia
Treasurer - Rana Knight, D, Tishomingo
Assessor - Gayla Hart, D, Tishomingo
Election Board Secretary - Janis Stewart, D, Tishomingo
Commissioners:
District 1 - Roy Bledins, D, Connerville
District 2 - Mike Thompson, D, Wapanucka
District 3 - Milven Farms, D, Mill Creek
