Oakham, Massachusetts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oakham, Massachusetts
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Town Center
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Location in Worcester County and the state of Massachusetts.
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Massachusetts | |
| County | Worcester | |
| Settled | 1749 | |
| Incorporated | 1775 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Open town meeting | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 21.5 sq mi (55.8 km2) | |
| • Land | 21.1 sq mi (54.7 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km2) | |
| Elevation | 1,050 ft (320 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,851 | |
| • Density | 86.09/sq mi (33.17/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) | |
| ZIP code |
01068
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| Area code(s) | 508 / 774 | |
| FIPS code | 25-50670 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0618378 | |
| Website | www.oakham-ma.gov | |
Oakham is a small town located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,851 people lived here. People who live in Oakham are sometimes called "Oakhamites."
Contents
Oakham's History and Beginnings
Oakham was first settled by British colonists in 1749. It was originally part of a nearby town called Rutland. The town officially became its own separate town in 1762. Its first name was Oakhampton, but it was later changed to Oakham. We don't know exactly why the name was changed.
Coldbrook Springs Village
A village called Coldbrook Springs used to be part of Oakham. It was located near the town of Barre. This village grew up around a natural iron spring. In the 1830s, a train station was built nearby. The village eventually had a hotel, a tavern, and a special spa where people went for the spring water.
Today, this area is part of the Ware River Watershed. It is now a state forest in Massachusetts. All the old buildings were removed to help create the Quabbin Reservoir Aqueduct system. This system helps supply drinking water.
Where is Oakham?
Oakham covers a total area of about 21.5 square miles (55.8 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 21.1 square miles (54.7 square kilometers), is land. The remaining 0.4 square miles (1.1 square kilometers) is water, like ponds and streams.
Oakham shares its borders with several other towns. To the northwest, it borders Barre. To the northeast is Rutland. Paxton is to the southeast, and Spencer is to the south. To the southwest, you'll find New Braintree.
Interestingly, Oakham, New Braintree, Spencer, and North Brookfield all meet at one common corner. However, this spot is very close to Brooks Pond. This means there isn't a direct road to get from Oakham to North Brookfield right at that corner.
Oakham's Population Over Time
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1850 | 1,137 | — |
| 1860 | 959 | −15.7% |
| 1870 | 860 | −10.3% |
| 1880 | 869 | +1.0% |
| 1890 | 738 | −15.1% |
| 1900 | 588 | −20.3% |
| 1910 | 552 | −6.1% |
| 1920 | 477 | −13.6% |
| 1930 | 502 | +5.2% |
| 1940 | 423 | −15.7% |
| 1950 | 455 | +7.6% |
| 1960 | 524 | +15.2% |
| 1970 | 730 | +39.3% |
| 1980 | 994 | +36.2% |
| 1990 | 1,503 | +51.2% |
| 2000 | 1,673 | +11.3% |
| 2010 | 1,902 | +13.7% |
| 2020 | 1,851 | −2.7% |
| 2023* | 1,886 | +1.9% |
| * = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data. |
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The population of Oakham has changed quite a bit over the years. In 1850, there were 1,137 people living in the town. The population decreased for a while, reaching a low of 423 people in 1940.
Since then, the number of residents has generally grown. By 2010, the population reached 1,902 people. In the 2020 census, the population was 1,851.
Schools and Learning in Oakham
Oakham is part of the Quabbin Regional School District. This district also includes students from the towns of Barre, Hardwick, Hubbardston, and New Braintree.
Younger students in Oakham attend Oakham Center School. This school teaches children from kindergarten through sixth grade. After elementary school, students go to Quabbin Regional Middle School for seventh and eighth grades. Finally, high school students attend Quabbin Regional High School for grades nine through twelve.
The Town Library
The Oakham Free Public Library was first opened in 1892. A special library building, called Fobes Memorial Library, was built in 1907. This building was made from local fieldstone. The money for the building was given by the Fobes family.
The town of Oakham spends part of its budget each year on the public library. For example, in 2017, the town spent about $30 per person on the library. This shows how much the community values reading and learning.
See also
In Spanish: Oakham (Massachusetts) para niños
