Red Oak, Texas

Red Oak, Texas
Location in the state of Texas
Coordinates: 32°30′15″N 96°45′20″W / 32.50417°N 96.75556°W / 32.50417; -96.75556
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyEllis
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
Area
 • Total
15.37 sq mi (39.82 km2)
 • Land15.37 sq mi (39.81 km2)
 • Water0.0039 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation604 ft (184 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
14,222
 • Density925.3/sq mi (357.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (Central)
ZIP code
75154
Area codes214, 469, 945, 972
FIPS code48-61196[3]
GNIS feature ID2411530[2]
Websitewww.redoaktx.org

Red Oak is a city in Ellis County, Texas, United States. It is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. As of the 2020 census, Red Oak had a population of 14,222.[4] 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.

History

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 reached Red Oak in 1884 and was completed in 1890,.[6] providing service between Dallas and Waco.[6] In 1949, Red Oak became an incorporated town of Ellis, County.[6] In 2023, Google announced a 600 million dollar data center campus on a 375-acre land, right off Ovilla Road in Red Oak, making it the second data center to be built in Texas.[7]

Geography

Red Oak is located along the northern edge of Ellis County. 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.[8]

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, Red Oak has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[9]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1960415
197076784.8%
19801,882145.4%
19903,12466.0%
20004,30137.7%
201010,769150.4%
202014,22232.1%
2023 (est.)18,62431.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[10][11]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Red Oak had a population of 14,222 residents and 3,293 families residing in the city.[12]

The median age was 35.5 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 84.0 males age 18 and over.[12]

93.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 6.2% lived in rural areas.[13]

There were 4,751 households in Red Oak, of which 43.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.7% were married-couple households, 13.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 18.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]

There were 4,985 housing units, of which 4.7% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%.[12]

Racial composition as of the 2020 census[14]
Race Number Percent
White 6,219 43.7%
Black or African American 4,548 32.0%
American Indian and Alaska Native 95 0.7%
Asian 134 0.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 8 0.1%
Some other race 1,378 9.7%
Two or more races 1,840 12.9%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 3,519 24.7%

Education

The majority of the city of Red Oak is served by the Red Oak Independent School District.[15] That district's schools include Shields Elementary, Eastridge Elementary, Red Oak Elementary, Wooden Elementary, Russell P Schupmann Elementary, Red Oak Middle School, and Red Oak High School.

The city extends into the Waxahachie Independent School District and the Ferris Independent School District.[15] The former operates Waxahachie High School.

In addition Life School, a public charter school, operates the K–12 Red Oak campus.[16]

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

Transportation

Major highways

Air

The city of Red Oak jointly owns the Ferris Red Oak Muni Heliport together with the city of Ferris.[17]

Notable people

Geographic location

References

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Red Oak, Texas
  3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  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. ^ Swinhoe, Dan (September 1, 2023). "Google announces plans for Red Oak data center campus in Texas".
  8. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Red Oak city, Texas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 25, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ^ Climate Summary for Red Oak, Texas
  10. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023". Census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  13. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  14. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  15. ^ a b "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ellis County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2024. - Text list
  16. ^ "Contact Us Archived 2011-09-03 at the Wayback Machine." Life School. Retrieved on September 2, 2011. "950 South I-35E Lancaster, TX 75146"
  17. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for 12T PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 26 April 2018.
  18. ^ Litsky, Frank (October 1988). "THE SEOUL OLYMPICS; Last Jump Goes Ritter's Way". The New York Times.