Oakland, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oakland
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Main Street
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Location of Oakland in Coles County, Illinois.
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Location of Illinois in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Illinois |
| County | Coles |
| Township | East Oakland |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.82 sq mi (2.12 km2) |
| • Land | 0.78 sq mi (2.03 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.09 km2) |
| Elevation | 659 ft (201 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 739 |
| • Density | 943.81/sq mi (364.64/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code(s) |
61943
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| Area code(s) | 217 |
| FIPS code | 17-54781 |
| GNIS ID | 2395288 |
| Wikimedia Commons | Oakland, Illinois |
Oakland is a city located in Coles County, Illinois, United States. In 2020, about 739 people lived there.
Contents
History of Oakland: A Look Back in Time
Oakland was first planned out in 1833. It was originally known by the name of Independence.
The Matson Trial and Abraham Lincoln
A doctor named Hiram Rutherford moved to Oakland in 1840. He was a pioneer and believed that slavery should be ended. He started his medical practice in the new town and became a very important person in the community.
Dr. Rutherford is famous for his part in the 1847 Matson Trial. This case also involved his friend, Abraham Lincoln, who later became president. A man named General Robert Matson, who owned enslaved people in Kentucky, would bring them to work on his land near Oakland each year.
One year, a family of enslaved people ran away from Matson's farm. They found safety with Dr. Rutherford and another man named Gideon Ashmore. Matson sued Rutherford and Ashmore, saying they were helping enslaved people escape. However, Rutherford and Ashmore argued that these people could not legally be held as enslaved in a free state like Illinois.
Dr. Rutherford wanted Abraham Lincoln to represent him in court. But Lincoln had already agreed to represent General Matson, the slave owner. In the end, Matson, even with Lincoln as his lawyer, lost the case in the Coles County court. This trial was an important moment in the fight against slavery.
Today, you can visit Dr. Rutherford's home and office. These and other historic places are kept up and offer tours.
Geography: Where is Oakland?
Oakland covers a total area of about 0.82 square miles (2.12 km2). Most of this area, about 0.78 square miles (2.02 km2), is land. A smaller part, about 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2), is water.
Population: Who Lives in Oakland?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 727 | — | |
| 1890 | 995 | 36.9% | |
| 1900 | 1,198 | 20.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,159 | −3.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,210 | 4.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,036 | −14.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,131 | 9.2% | |
| 1950 | 980 | −13.4% | |
| 1960 | 939 | −4.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,012 | 7.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,035 | 2.3% | |
| 1990 | 996 | −3.8% | |
| 2000 | 996 | 0.0% | |
| 2010 | 880 | −11.6% | |
| 2020 | 739 | −16.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, the city of Oakland had 739 people living there. There were 494 households and 272 families. The population density was about 902.32 inhabitants per square mile (348.39/km2).
Most people in Oakland are White, making up about 94.72% of the population. Other groups include African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander people. About 4.06% of the population identified as being from two or more races. People who are Hispanic or Latino made up 2.17% of the population.
About 25% of the households in Oakland had children under 18 living with them. The average age of people in the city was 42.1 years.
Transportation: Getting Around Oakland
You can use a bus service called Coles County Zipline to get around Oakland. It's a "dial-a-ride" service, meaning you can call to arrange a pick-up.
If you want to travel by train, the closest passenger train station is in Mattoon station. From there, Amtrak trains can take you to cities like Chicago, Carbondale, and New Orleans.
Notable People from Oakland
- Rich T. Buckler (1865–1950): He was a member of the United States House of Representatives for Minnesota. He was born in Oakland.
- Robert Matson (1796–1859): He was a slave owner involved in the 1847 Matson Trial.
- Chris Miller (born 1954): He is a state representative for Illinois.
- Mary Miller (born 1959): She is a U.S. representative for Illinois.
- Stanton C. Pemberton (1858–1944): He was a businessman and an Illinois state senator.
- Hiram Rutherford: He was a doctor and an abolitionist who was involved in the 1847 Matson Trial.
See also
In Spanish: Oakland (Illinois) para niños
