Oakland, Illinois

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oakland is a city in Coles County, Illinois, United States. The population was 996 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Maps
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Oakland is located at 39°39′24″N, 88°1′31″W (39.656788, -88.025401)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.2 km² (0.9 mi²). 2.1 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (4.65%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 996 people, 416 households, and 294 families residing in the city. The population density was 469.0/km² (1,215.8/mi²). There were 437 housing units at an average density of 205.8/km² (533.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.10% White, 0.20% African American, 0.10% Native American, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population.

There were 416 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,038, and the median income for a family was $38,167. Males had a median income of $29,342 versus $20,577 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,964. About 8.8% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Oakland, formerly known as Independence, was platted in 1833.

Pioneer doctor and abolitionist Dr. Hiram Rutherford [see http://www.drhiramrutherford.com] came here in 1840 to start his practice in the young town. He became a prominent citizen. Rutherford is most widely known for his involvement in the 1847 Matson slave trial, which involved his friend Abraham Lincoln. A Kentucky slave owner, Gen. Robert Matson, annually brought slaves to work on his land near Oakland. One year, a family of slaves ran away from the farm and took refuge with Dr. Rutherford and Gideon Ashmore. Matson sued the men for harboring slaves; Rutherford and Ashmore countered that the slaves could not legally be held in a free state. Rutherford attempted to have Lincoln represent him in the case, but Lincoln had already agreed to represent the slave owner. Matson, represented by Lincoln, lost the case in Coles County court. Rutherford's home and office, as well as other historic sites, are maintained and available for tours.