Oakdale, Pennsylvania

History

Oakdale Borough was incorporated in 1892. On May 18, 1918, a TNT explosion in a local chemical factory killed 200 people. On September 17, 2004, Oakdale was devastated by a flood resulting from the rain brought by the remnants of category 5 Hurricane Ivan. The downpour from Ivan followed a steady rain that had covered the Allegheny County area from category 4 Hurricane Frances, which struck the area just 10 days before Ivan hit. The flooding caused a large-scale evacuation of the community, and brought Red Cross volunteers and National Guard members to the area in an effort to control the confusion. The flooding destroyed businesses, many of which never reopened, and displaced many residents whose homes were condemned.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.5 sqmi, all land.

Robinson Run, a tributary to Chartiers Creek, flows through the southeastern part of the borough. Oakdale is bordered by North Fayette Township to the north and South Fayette Township to the south.

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 1,551 people, 604 households, and 445 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,956.0 PD/sqmi. There were 640 housing units at an average density of 1,219.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the borough was 98.19% White, 0.90% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.39% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.

There were 604 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $46,574, and the median income for a family was $55,865. Males had a median income of $37,125 versus $26,620 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $21,392. About 2.9% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 1.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Local leaders

• Mayor: Steve Trusnovic
• Borough Council President: Mark Maximovich
• Borough Council Vice President: Jonathan DeBor
• Council Members: William Hartman Jr. Al Pifer Barbara Rossen

Political affiliation

Oakdale is predominantly supportive of the Republican Party. The town generally supported incumbent Republican president Donald Trump over Democratic challenger Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, though supported Biden at a slightly higher margin than for 2016 Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

Education

Oakdale is served by the West Allegheny School District. Western Allegheny Community Library serves Findlay Township, North Fayette, and Oakdale.

Oakdale is home to Pittsburgh Technical College, (formerly Pittsburgh Technical Institute) as well as the West Hills branch of Community College of Allegheny County.

Transportation

Oakdale's main road is Pennsylvania Route 978, locally known as Clinton Ave. The road bisects the town while running in a generally northwest-southeast pattern. Oakdale is located approximately equidistant from Pennsylvania Route 576 and U.S. Route 22-30. Pittsburgh's Panhandle Trail also runs through central Oakdale.

Rail transport today into and through Oakdale is nonexistent, as the last freight railway has been converted into the Panhandle Trail. Public transport is also nonexistent within the town, aside from bus service to Pittsburgh Technical College.

Oakdale is located very close to Pittsburgh International Airport and is within a 20-minute drive.

Notable person

• Margaret McFarland, child psychologist and consultant to Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

Notes

References

References

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2. "Explore Census Data".
3. "Western Allegheny Community Library".
4. "TNT explosion in chemical factory in Oakdale, Pennsylvania kills 200". Brainy History.
5. McDonough, Tim. (September 17, 2004). "Widespread flooding causes evacuations, blocks roads". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
6. (2011-02-12). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
7. "Population-Pennsylvania". U.S. Census Bureau.
8. "Number and Distribution of Inhabitants:Pennsylvania-Tennessee". U.S. Census Bureau.
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11. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
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13. "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau.
14. "Oakdale Borough Directory".
15. (2021-02-02). "An Extremely Detailed Map of the 2020 Election". The New York Times.
16. "2012 Allegheny County election".
17. "2016 Pennsylvania general election results".
18. "Election Night Reporting".
19. (September 13, 1988). "Psychologist Margaret B. McFarland". [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]].