Oakwood, Texas



Oakwood is a town in Leon and Freestone counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 389 at the 2020 census. It was founded in 1872 as a stop on the International Railroad.

Geography
Oakwood is located in northeastern Leon County at 31.58472°N, -95.85056°W (31.584816, –95.850666). USGS topographic maps show the northern town boundary following the Leon/Freestone County line, but maps by the U.S. Census show the town extending slightly north into Freestone County.

U.S. Route 79 passes through the town as Broad Street, leading northeast 18 mi to Palestine and southwest 15 mi to Buffalo.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.93 sqkm, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 389 people, 236 households, and 193 families residing in the town.

As of the census of 2000, there were 471 people, 199 households, and 131 families residing in the town. The population density was 429.9 PD/sqmi. There were 256 housing units at an average density of 233.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 62.42% White, 35.03% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 1.70% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.18% of the population.

There were 199 households, out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,625, and the median income for a family was $33,750. Males had a median income of $34,375 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,371. About 13.9% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 26.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The town is served by the Oakwood Independent School District.

Notable people

 * R. H. Bing, mathematician, born in Oakwood on October 20, 1914
 * Sarah Lancaster, Sacred Harp composer, lived in Oakwood from the 1880s, died there in 1918 and is buried in the town cemetery

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

In popular culture

 * "Oakwood", a single by the indie rock trio The Redding Brothers, is about the town where their grandfather, Billy Jack Redding, grew up.