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Red Oak, Texas
Location in the state of Texas
Location in the state of Texas
Ellis County RedOak.svg
Country United StatesUnited States
State TexasTexas
County Ellis
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
Area
 • Total 15.38 sq mi (39.82 km2)
 • Land 15.37 sq mi (39.81 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
607 ft (185 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 14,222
 • Density 924.7/sq mi (357.16/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (Central)
ZIP code
75154
Area code(s) 972
FIPS code 48-61196
GNIS feature ID 1344940

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, 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, 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

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 began near the Red Oak area in 1884 and was completed in 1890. This railroad allowed people to travel to Dallas and Waco. In 1949, Red Oak became an incorporated town of Ellis, County.

Geography

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. 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.

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.

Glen Rose Texas water tower
Water tower in Glenn Heights, 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

Historical population
Census Pop.
1960 415
1970 767 84.8%
1980 1,882 145.4%
1990 3,124 66.0%
2000 4,301 37.7%
2010 10,769 150.4%
2020 14,222 32.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
Red Oak racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
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

Red Oak Intermediate School
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.

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.

Notable people

  • 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
  • Sarah Jaffe, singer/songwriter
  • Louise Ritter, gold medal winner in the women's high jump at the 1988 Summer Olympics, graduated from Red Oak High School
  • Nikki Stringfield, guitarist for American heavy metal band The Iron Maiden
  • Demi Burnett, contestant on season 23 of The Bachelor

Geographic location

See also

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