Oakland City, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oakland City, Indiana
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Main Street (Indiana 357) at the town center.
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Location of Oakland City in Gibson County, Indiana.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Gibson |
| Township | Columbia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.02 sq mi (2.64 km2) |
| • Land | 1.02 sq mi (2.64 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 472 ft (144 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,279 |
| • Density | 2,232.13/sq mi (861.94/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
47660
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| Area code(s) | 812, 930 |
| FIPS code | 18-55710 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2395292 |
| Interstate Highways |  |
| Major State Roads |    |
Oakland City is a city in Gibson County, Indiana, United States. It is the second-largest city in the county. Oakland City is home to Oakland City University. In 2020, about 2,279 people lived there.
Contents
Exploring Oakland City's Past
Oakland City was officially started in 1856. It was probably named because of the many oak trees in the area. The city's post office opened a few years later in 1860.
Historic Buildings in Oakland City
The William M. Cockrum House is an important historic building in Oakland City. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This register lists places that are important to the history of the United States.
Understanding Oakland City's Location
Oakland City is located in Gibson County, Indiana. In 2010, the city covered about 1.13 square miles (2.93 square kilometers) of land. Only a very small part of this area is water.
Population and Community Life
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 731 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,524 | 108.5% | |
| 1900 | 1,991 | 30.6% | |
| 1910 | 2,370 | 19.0% | |
| 1920 | 2,270 | −4.2% | |
| 1930 | 2,842 | 25.2% | |
| 1940 | 3,068 | 8.0% | |
| 1950 | 3,539 | 15.4% | |
| 1960 | 3,016 | −14.8% | |
| 1970 | 3,289 | 9.1% | |
| 1980 | 3,301 | 0.4% | |
| 1990 | 2,810 | −14.9% | |
| 2000 | 2,588 | −7.9% | |
| 2010 | 2,429 | −6.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,279 | −6.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 2,429 people living in Oakland City. Most of the people living in the city were White. The average age of people in Oakland City was about 36 years old.
Education in Oakland City
Oakland City offers many educational opportunities for students of all ages.
Higher Education Opportunities
Oakland City is home to Oakland City University. This university was founded in 1885 as Oakland City College. It later became a university. It offers over 40 different degrees, from associate to doctorate levels. The university's sports teams are called the Mighty Oaks.
Schools for Younger Students
The East Gibson School Corporation has its main office in Oakland City. This school district includes several schools. Oakland City Elementary School, Waldo J. Wood Memorial Junior High School, and Waldo J. Wood Memorial High School are all located on South Franklin Street.
The sports teams for Oakland City Elementary are known as the Acorns. The teams for Waldo J. Wood Memorial Junior High and High School are called the Trojans. Other schools in the district are Barton Township Elementary School and Francisco Elementary School.
Public Library Services
The town also has a public library. It is called the Oakland City-Columbia Township Public Library. It provides books and resources for everyone in the community.
Famous People from Oakland City
Oakland City has been the birthplace or home of several notable individuals.
- Gil Hodges was a famous baseball player. He played first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He attended college at Oakland City College.
- Edd Roush was a well-known outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds. He is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Edd Roush was born in Oakland City.
- Jeremy Spencer is a drummer for the band Five Finger Death Punch. He was also born in Oakland City.
