Oakdale, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oakdale, Pennsylvania
|
|
|---|---|
|
Borough
|
|
Former Oakdale Public School, built in 1905
|
|
Location in Allegheny County and the state of Pennsylvania.
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Allegheny |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.47 sq mi (1.22 km2) |
| • Land | 0.47 sq mi (1.22 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 1,475 |
| • Density | 3,144.99/sq mi (1,213.11/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 42-55840 |
Oakdale is a small town, called a borough, located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. In 2020, about 1,475 people lived there. It is a suburb, meaning it's a community near a larger city, in this case, Pittsburgh.
Contents
History of Oakdale
Oakdale became an official borough in 1892. Over the years, it has faced some big challenges.
Major Events in Oakdale's Past
On May 18, 1918, a chemical factory in Oakdale had a huge explosion. This accident, involving a substance called TNT, sadly caused the deaths of 200 people.
Later, in September 2004, Oakdale experienced severe flooding. This happened because of heavy rain from the remains of Hurricane Ivan. Just 10 days before, another storm, Hurricane Frances, had also brought a lot of rain.
The flooding from Hurricane Ivan was very serious. Many people had to leave their homes. Organizations like the Red Cross and members of the National Guard came to help. The flood damaged many businesses, and some never reopened. Many homes were also destroyed, forcing residents to find new places to live.
Geography of Oakdale
Oakdale is a small area of land. According to official measurements, it covers about 0.5 square miles (1.22 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no large bodies of water.
Natural Features and Neighbors
A small stream called Robinson Run flows through the southeastern part of Oakdale. This stream eventually joins Chartiers Creek.
Oakdale is surrounded by other communities. To the north, it borders North Fayette Township. To the south, it is next to South Fayette Township, Pennsylvania, South Fayette Township.
Population of Oakdale
The number of people living in Oakdale has changed over time. Here's a look at the population counts from different years:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 507 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,147 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,353 | 18.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,611 | 19.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,703 | 5.7% | |
| 1940 | 1,766 | 3.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,572 | −11.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,695 | 7.8% | |
| 1970 | 2,136 | 26.0% | |
| 1980 | 1,955 | −8.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,752 | −10.4% | |
| 2000 | 1,551 | −11.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,459 | −5.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,475 | 1.1% | |
| Sources: | |||
In 2000, there were 1,551 people living in Oakdale. Most residents were White (98.19%). A small number of people were African American (0.90%) or from other racial backgrounds. About 0.71% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The median age in Oakdale in 2000 was 41 years old. This means half the population was younger than 41, and half was older. About 22.8% of the population was under 18 years old.
Education in Oakdale
Students in Oakdale attend schools within the West Allegheny School District.
Libraries and Colleges
The Western Allegheny Community Library serves Oakdale, along with Findlay Township and North Fayette.
Oakdale is also home to two colleges:
- Pittsburgh Technical College (which used to be called Pittsburgh Technical Institute).
- The West Hills branch of Community College of Allegheny County.
Transportation in Oakdale
The main road in Oakdale is Pennsylvania Route 978. People in town know it as Clinton Avenue. This road goes through the middle of Oakdale, generally running from northwest to southeast.
Roads, Trails, and Air Travel
Oakdale is located about the same distance from Pennsylvania Route 576 and the major highways U.S. Route 22 and U.S. Route 30.
The Panhandle Trail also passes through central Oakdale. This trail used to be a railway line for freight trains, but it has been converted into a path for walking and biking.
Today, there are no active freight or passenger trains going through Oakdale. Public bus service within the town is limited, mainly offering transport to Pittsburgh Technical College.
Oakdale is conveniently located very close to Pittsburgh International Airport. You can usually drive there in about 20 minutes.
Notable Person from Oakdale
- Margaret McFarland: She was a child psychologist. She also worked as a consultant for the famous children's television show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
See also
In Spanish: Oakdale (Pensilvania) para niños
