Red Oak, Texas

Coordinates: 32°31′32″N 96°48′22″W / 32.52556°N 96.80611°W / 32.52556; -96.80611
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Red Oak, Texas
Location in the state of Texas
Location in the state of Texas
Coordinates: 32°31′32″N 96°48′22″W / 32.52556°N 96.80611°W / 32.52556; -96.80611
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
StateTexasTexas
CountyEllis
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • City CouncilMayor Dr. Mark Stanfill
Mayor Pro Tem William L. Drake
Willie G. Franklin Jr.
Ben Goodwyn
Jeffrey Smith
Tim Lightfoot
 • City ManagerTodd Fuller
Area
 • Total15.38 sq mi (39.82 km2)
 • Land15.37 sq mi (39.81 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
607 ft (185 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total14,222
 • Density920/sq mi (360/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (Central)
ZIP code
75154
Area code972
FIPS code48-61196[2]
GNIS feature ID1344940[3]
Websitewww.redoaktx.org

Red Oak is a city in Ellis County, Texas, United States. It is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The population was 10,769 at the 2010 census,[4] up from 4,301 at the 2000 census. The North Central Texas Council of Governments projects that number to grow to 63,329 by the year 2030,[5] as it is on the verge of explosive suburban growth. Red Oak was one of the exterior locations for filming True Stories, directed by David Byrne of Talking Heads and released in 1986.

History[edit]

One of the first settlers to this area was James E. Patton and his family in 1844.[6] They settled in what is now known as Ovilla, Texas, located about two miles from Red Oak.[6] Before Red Oak was given its name in 1849, it was known as Possum Trot due to the animal that lived there.[6] The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad began near the Red Oak area in 1884 and was completed in 1890.[6] This railroad allowed people to travel to Dallas and Waco.[6] In 1949, Red Oak became an incorporated town of Ellis, County.[6]

Geography[edit]

Red Oak is located along the northern edge of Ellis County at 32°31′32″N 96°48′22″W / 32.525607°N 96.806189°W / 32.525607; -96.806189.[7] Adjacent cities include Glenn Heights to the northwest, Lancaster to the north, Ferris to the east, Pecan Hill to the southeast, Waxahachie to the south, and Oak Leaf to the west. It is 18 miles (29 km) south of downtown Dallas via Interstate 35E, which has two exits in Red Oak.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Red Oak has a total area of 15.0 square miles (38.8 km2), all land.[4]

Climate[edit]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Red Oak has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[8]

Water tower in Glen Rose, on west side of I-35E
City Department Director
City Manager Todd Fuller
Assistant City Manager Jonathan Phillips
City Secretary Caryn Stevens, TRMC
Human Resources Director Amanda Monsivias
Fire Chief Ben Blanton
Police Chief Garland Wolf
Court Administrator Taeisha Wells
Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Kelley
Public Works Director Scott Williams

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1960415
197076784.8%
19801,882145.4%
19903,12466.0%
20004,30137.7%
201010,769150.4%
202014,22232.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
Red Oak racial composition as of 2020[10]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 5,433 38.2%
Black or African American (NH) 4,481 31.51%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 33 0.23%
Asian (NH) 130 0.91%
Pacific Islander (NH) 8 0.06%
Some Other Race (NH) 107 0.75%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 511 3.59%
Hispanic or Latino 3,519 24.74%
Total 14,222

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,222 people, 4,098 households, and 3,293 families residing in the city.

Education[edit]

Image of Red Oak Intermediate school from 2010, taken in Red Oak, Texas.

The city of Red Oak is served by the Red Oak Independent School District: Shields Elementary, Eastridge Elementary, Red Oak Elementary, Wooden Elementary, Russell P Schupmann Elementary, Red Oak Middle School, and Red Oak High School.

In addition Life School, a public charter school, operates the K–12 Red Oak campus.[13]

Texas State Technical College operates a branch campus in Red Oak.

Transportation[edit]

Major highways[edit]

Air[edit]

The city of Red Oak jointly owns the Ferris Red Oak Muni Heliport together with the city of Ferris.[14]

Notable people[edit]

Geographic location[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Red Oak city, Texas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  5. ^ NCTCOG - Research & Information Services - 2030 Demographic Forecast: Red Oak. (NCTCOG). Retrieved 22 March 2006.
  6. ^ a b c d e f BROWN, SCOTT (June 15, 2010). "RED OAK, TX". tshaonline.org. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ Climate Summary for Red Oak, Texas
  9. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  11. ^ https://www.census.gov/[not specific enough to verify]
  12. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  13. ^ "Contact Us Archived 2011-09-03 at the Wayback Machine." Life School. Retrieved on September 2, 2011. "950 South I-35E Lancaster, TX 75146"
  14. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for 12T PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 26 April 2018.
  15. ^ "THE SEOUL OLYMPICS; Last Jump Goes Ritter's Way". The New York Times.
  1. ^ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[11][12]

External links[edit]