Oak Ridge, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oak Ridge, Missouri
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| Nickname(s):
Lizard Lick
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Location of Oak Ridge, Missouri
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Cape Girardeau |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.59 sq mi (1.53 km2) |
| • Land | 0.59 sq mi (1.53 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 594 ft (181 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 237 |
| • Density | 401.02/sq mi (154.77/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
63769
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| Area code(s) | 573 |
| FIPS code | 29-53786 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396826 |
Oak Ridge is a small village in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, United States. It is located in the southern part of Apple Creek Township. In 2020, about 237 people lived there. Oak Ridge is part of the larger Cape Girardeau–Jackson metropolitan area.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name "Oak Ridge" tells you a lot about the village. It sits on a high ridge, which is like a natural dividing line for water. This ridge separates the water that flows into Apple Creek from the water that flows into the Whitewater River. The area is also surrounded by many oak trees. Early settlers sometimes jokingly called the place "Lizard Lick."
A Look at Oak Ridge's Past
Oak Ridge has a long history. The first settlers, Andrew Ramsay and Alexander Giboney, arrived around Ramsey Creek in 1795. The village of Oak Ridge officially started in 1852. A man named John M. Wilson bought the land and opened a store and a bar. He named the town after the oak trees and the ridge.
By 1888, about 300 people lived in Oak Ridge. The village has two old churches, a Methodist church and a Baptist church, both built in the 1860s. There was once a Presbyterian church too. An important event in Oak Ridge's history is that it was home to the first high school in Southeast Missouri, which opened in 1874.
Learning in Oak Ridge
Education has always been important in Oak Ridge. The first high school classes started on November 4, 1874. They were held in a four-room wooden building. In 1923, a new brick school building was constructed. Sadly, this building burned down in an electric storm in 1932.
Today, the [Oak Ridge R-6 School District] serves students from kindergarten to 12th grade. It's a small public school, usually having about 350 students each year. The school's colors are blue and white, and their mascot is the blue jay. Students at Oak Ridge High School can play various sports. These include boys' basketball, girls' volleyball, boys' baseball, girls' softball, cross country, and cheerleading.
Most adults in Oak Ridge have a high school diploma. Many also have college degrees, showing a strong focus on education in the community.
Where is Oak Ridge?
Oak Ridge is a small village. It covers an area of about 1.53 square kilometers (0.59 square miles). All of this area is land, with no large bodies of water. The village is located about ten miles northeast of Jackson.
People of Oak Ridge
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 180 | — | |
| 1890 | 111 | −38.3% | |
| 1900 | 252 | 127.0% | |
| 1910 | 256 | 1.6% | |
| 1920 | 274 | 7.0% | |
| 1930 | 187 | −31.8% | |
| 1940 | 185 | −1.1% | |
| 1950 | 202 | 9.2% | |
| 1960 | 175 | −13.4% | |
| 1970 | 181 | 3.4% | |
| 1980 | 252 | 39.2% | |
| 1990 | 202 | −19.8% | |
| 2000 | 202 | 0.0% | |
| 2010 | 243 | 20.3% | |
| 2020 | 237 | −2.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 | |||
In 2010, there were 243 people living in Oak Ridge. These people lived in 90 households, with 63 of them being families. The village had about 426 people per square mile. Most residents were White (94.24%). A small number were Native American or Black. Some residents identified with two or more races. About 1.23% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (36.7%) had children under 18 living with them. Most households (56.7%) were married couples. About 21.1% of households had only one person living there. The average age of people in the village was 38.2 years old. About 24.3% of residents were under 18. The population was 56.0% male and 44.0% female.
