Red Oak, Texas

History

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

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 mi 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 38.8 km2, all land.

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.

Demographics

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

Education

The majority of the city of Red Oak is served by the Red Oak Independent School District. 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. The former operates Waxahachie High School.

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

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

Transportation

Major highways

• [[File:I-35E (TX).svg|20px]][[File:US 77.svg|20px]] Interstate 35E/U.S. Route 77

Air

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

Notable people

• Demi Burnett, contestant on season 23 of The Bachelor
• Michelle Carter, gold medal winner in the women's shot put at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro
• Pinky Higgins, Major League Baseball player and manager, born in Red Oak
• Buddy Groom, Major Leage Baseball player. Pitcher for the Oakland A's. Graduated Red Oak High School in 1983.
• Sarah Jaffe, singer/songwriter
• Louise Ritter, gold medal winner in the women's high jump at the 1988 Summer Olympics
• Nikki Stringfield, guitarist for American heavy metal band The Iron Maiden

Geographic location

References

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
3. {{GNIS. 2411530
4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Red Oak city, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau.
5. NCTCOG]]'''). Retrieved 22 March 2006.
6. BROWN, SCOTT. (2010-06-15). "RED OAK, TX".
7. Swinhoe, Dan. (September 1, 2023). "Google announces plans for Red Oak data center campus in Texas".
8. [http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=594714&cityname=Red+Oak%2C+Texas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Red Oak, Texas]
9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
10. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023". United States Census Bureau.
11. "Explore Census Data".
12. https://www.census.gov/ {{nonspecific. (August 2022)
13. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin".
14. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ellis County, TX". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
15. "[http://www.lifeschools.net/contact-us Contact Us] {{webarchive. link. (2011-09-03 ." [[Life School]]. Retrieved on September 2, 2011. "950 South I-35E Lancaster, TX 75146")
16. {{FAA-airport
17. (October 1988). "THE SEOUL OLYMPICS; Last Jump Goes Ritter's Way".