Oakwood, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oakwood
Village of Oakwood
|
|
|---|---|
|
Village
|
|
Location of Oakwood in Vermilion County, Illinois.
|
|
 Oakwood, Illinois
Location in Vermilion County, Illinois
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Vermilion |
| Township | Oakwood |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.93 sq mi (2.40 km2) |
| • Land | 0.93 sq mi (2.40 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 640 ft (200 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 1,325 |
| • Density | 1,427.80/sq mi (551.11/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
61858
|
| Area code(s) | 217 |
| FIPS code | 17-55002 |
| GNIS ID | 2399547 |
Oakwood is a small village in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is located in Oakwood Township. Oakwood is also part of the Danville, Illinois area. In 2020, about 1,325 people lived there.
Contents
Geography of Oakwood
Oakwood covers a total area of about 0.93 square miles (2.4 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no water.
History of Oakwood Village
Early Inhabitants & Salt Mines
The land where Oakwood now stands was once home to Native American tribes. These included the Kickapoo and Potawatomi tribes. The Potawatomi had a camp near what is now Lake Bluff trailer park. These tribes found salt mines in the area. These mines later became important for the town's economy.
In the early 1800s, fur trappers came to the region. They caused the Kickapoo people to move away to Missouri.
On October 31, 1819, an army survey team arrived. They set up a camp on the north side of the Salt Fork Vermilion River. This is now the southeast part of Oakwood. They started a salt mine there. They boiled salty water from the ground to get the salt. In 1824, John W. Vance took over the mine. He made more salt. However, other mines started up, and this mine eventually closed. People then moved away from the area.
Coal Mining Era
From the 1850s to the 1940s, coal mining was very important. It provided many jobs in Vermilion County.
Population of Oakwood
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 99 | — | |
| 1910 | 423 | — | |
| 1920 | 573 | 35.5% | |
| 1930 | 537 | −6.3% | |
| 1940 | 555 | 3.4% | |
| 1950 | 641 | 15.5% | |
| 1960 | 861 | 34.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,367 | 58.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,627 | 19.0% | |
| 1990 | 1,533 | −5.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,502 | −2.0% | |
| 2010 | 1,595 | 6.2% | |
| 2020 | 1,325 | −16.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,502 people living in Oakwood. There were 621 households and 435 families. Most people in the village were White (99.33%).
About 34.3% of households had children under 18. About 52.3% were married couples. The average household had 2.42 people. The average family had 2.87 people.
The median age in the village was 36 years old. About 26.5% of the population was under 18. About 13.0% were 65 or older.
Notable People from Oakwood
Oakwood has been home to several interesting people:
- Margaret W. Campbell was buried in the Oakwood Cemetery.
- Darrin Fletcher played as a catcher for several Major League Baseball teams.
- Bobby Pierce is a racing driver.
- Angela Watson is an actress, known for the show Step by Step.
- Cameron Lee played as an offensive lineman for several National Football League teams.
Schools in Oakwood
Oakwood has schools for different age groups:
- Oakwood Grade School
- Mascot: "Stars"
- Oakwood Junior High School
- Mascot: "Knights"
- Oakwood High School
- Mascot:"Comets"
- Song: "Cheer, Cheer, for old Oakwood's fame. Wake up the echoes cheering her name. Send the volley cheer on high. Shake down the thunder from the sky. What though the odds be great or small, old Oakwood High will win overall, while her loyal sons are marching onward to victory. Repeat."
Images for kids
-
The farmland on the western side of Oakwood in fall after the crops have been harvested.
See also
In Spanish: Oakwood (Illinois) para niños
