Oakley, Idaho

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oakley is a city in Cassia County, Idaho, United States. The population was 668 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Demographics
4 Education
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Oakley is located at 42°14′32″N, 113°52′51″W (42.242360, -113.880904)^GR1, at 4,560 feet in elevation. It is at the very southern limit of the Snake River Plain, and close to Goose Creek and the Albion Mountains.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.3 km² (4.0 mi²), all land.

[edit] History

The city was named for William Oakley, the proprietor of a 19th century Pony Express station located at a spring currently located about 2 miles west of the present townsite known as Oakley Meadows. David B. Haight, former member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was born in Oakley. The small hamlet has served as home to a surprising number of famous Americans. The current Governor of Utah, and the former Governor of Massachusetts can trace their stock to Oakley. Governor Jon Huntsman of Utah is the grandson of David B. Haight, above, and Mitt Romney, 2008 U.S. Presidential Contender of Massachusetts is the son of another famous Oakley-ite, George Romney. Yet another Oakley Romney, Marion G. Romney, was a Councillor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Oakley is also rich in old west lore, such as the tale of Diamondfield Jack, and another story of intrigue, the story of Gobo Fango.

This tiny town has turned out leaders in politics, business, and entertainment....not bad for a town of less than 800 people. The town is also home to current Idaho's Assistant House Majority Leader Scott Bedke.

Today, many people remark that Oakley is the very last "Mayberry" left in America, and frequently visited for its Victorian homes.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 668 people, 226 households, and 166 families residing in the city. The population density was 64.6/km² (167.4/mi²). There were 257 housing units at an average density of 24.9/km² (64.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.41% White, 0.15% Asian, 3.14% from other races, and 0.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.19% of the population.

There were 226 households out of which 39.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.60.

In the city the population was spread out with 33.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,643, and the median income for a family was $34,792. Males had a median income of $27,083 versus $16,667 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,983. About 9.1% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.2% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.