Oakley, California

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oakley is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 25,619 at the 2000 census. Oakley is part of the East Contra Costa Bicycle Plan, which has existing facilities in Oakley as far as plans for further expansion.^[1]

Contents 1 Geography and environment 2 Demographics 3 History 4 Miscellaneous 5 Education 5.1 Elementary Schools 5.2 Middle Schools 5.3 High Schools 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Geography and environment

Oakley is located at 37°59′37″N, 121°43′6″W (37.993474, -121.718340)^GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 32.4 km² (12.5 mi²). 32.2 km² (12.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.80%) is water.

The Oakley areas offers access to the Delta de Anza Regional Trail.^[2] Sound levels in Oakley are dominated by roadway noise, especially from vehicle traffic on California State Route 4. While sound levels in much of Oakley are in the generally acceptable range of 55 to 60 CNEL, levels within 300 feet of Route 4 are as high as 70 to 74 CNEL.^[3]

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 25,619 people, 7,832 households, and 6,461 families residing in the city. The population density was 796.4/km² (2,063.2/mi²). There were 7,946 housing units at an average density of 247.0/km² (639.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.50% White, 3.42% Black or African American, 0.89% Native American, 2.86% Asian, 0.29% Pacific Islander, 10.58% from other races, and 6.46% from two or more races. 24.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,832 households out of which 52.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.2% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.5% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.26 and the average family size was 3.56.

In the city the population was spread out with 34.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 34.5% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $65,589, and the median income for a family was $68,888. Males had a median income of $49,883 versus $34,659 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,895. About 2.8% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

The town was founded in the mid 19th century and was the center of many thriving agricultural ventures. Many of the crops being grown and cultivated were almonds, grapes, walnuts, and pecans.

During the late 19th century there was a fire which destroyed most of the downtown area of Oakley and it was later rebuilt.

The early settlers of Oakley went to school in a white wooded building at the edge of town near the Antioch border, toward the old Antioch bridge/pier. This school has been converted into a church.

[edit] Miscellaneous

The town of Oakley has a little known street name play of words. If you start at Main Street and look at the first letters of streets and drive down O'hara Avenue, the next streets are Acme Street, Ruby Street, Star Street, and Home Street. Looking at all of the first letters they spell Marsh, which refers to John Marsh who is one of the founders of Oakley.

[edit] Education

The city is served by Oakley Unified Elementary School District (K-8) and the Liberty Union High School District. A small group of Oakley citizens living east of Empire Avenue, are served by the Antioch Unified School District and forced to attend school in Antioch, California. They are colloquially known as "Oakley orphans." However, following the incorporation of the city in 1999, steps are being taken to ensure that Oakley residents will no longer be forced to attend Antioch schools.

Note: Since 1999, those students living in Oakley previously attending Liberty High School in Brentwood, or Deer Valley in Antioch, would be enrolled in Freedom High School.

[edit] Elementary Schools

• Oakley Elementary School
• Gehringer Elementary School
• Laurel Elementary School
• Vintage Parkway Elementary School
• Iron House Elementary School

[edit] Middle Schools

• O'Hara Park Middle School
• Delta Vista Middle School

[edit] High Schools

• Freedom High School

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• City of Oakley website
• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 37.993474° -121.71834°
  • Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
  • Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA