Oakland, Tennessee

Oakland is a town in Fayette County, Tennessee, United States. In 2020 the population of the town was 8,936, a gain of 417.8% since 2000, Reasons for this population boom, are the cities/counties low taxes, its low crime rate, and the 4 lane expansion of U.S. Highway 64 in the early 1990s. In 2023, the town was found to be one of the safest in Tennessee, rating 2nd.

Geography and climate

Oakland is located in west-central Fayette County. US 64 is the main highway through town, leading east to Somerville, the county seat, and west to downtown Memphis. South 18 miles (29 km) is the Tennessee-Mississippi state line. Tennessee Routes 194 and 196 are north-south state highways in Oakland.

According to the United States Census Bureau, as of 2010 the town had a total area of , compared to a total area in 2000 of . The town limits have expanded north and south of the original town center, and especially to the west along US 64, extending to nearly reach the Shelby County line.

Climate:

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 8,936 people, 3,100 households, and 2,490 families residing in the town.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,279 people, 510 households, and 401 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 554 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 81.47% White, 16.50% African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.47% from other races, and 0.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.56% of the population.

There were 510 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.8% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 37.1% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,823, and the median income for a family was $56,786. Males had a median income of $35,870 versus $23,929 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,365. About 4.6% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

In June 2007, although much smaller in population than its counterparts, Oakland had the highest number of building permits issued for any suburb in the Memphis metropolitan area, including Southaven and Olive Branch, Mississippi, and Collierville, Tennessee. Retail stores make up most of the commercial business. RING Container Technologies - a plastic fabrication company - is headquartered in Oakland. Back in the early 20th century, Oakland was home to Tennessee's largest egg factory, as well as a large Christmas Tree farm. Oakland has a golf course called, "The Fair Oaks Golf Course" . It has been open since 2000.

Government

In November 2008, Bill Mullins was elected mayor for his fifth term, beating rival Scott Ferguson in a narrow victory; the margin of votes between them just 15.

In July 2009, Mayor Mullins was arrested on charges of official misconduct and concealing evidence. The following March, a jury found him guilty on three counts of official misconduct. Prosecutors said Mullins falsified documents to cover up payments made to his own business by the City of Oakland, after he had completed work on city owned vehicles at his privately owned repair shop, but did not document the $2,000 payment. Mullins also had a local merchant bill the Town of Oakland for Transmission Rebuilds, then collected funds from the merchant. Ther merchant was not charged, but did testify at Mullins's trial. Mullins was sentenced to one year probation and prohibited from holding any elected or appointed office for 10 years.

In December 2009, the November 2008 election was ruled invalid after 23 people were found to have voted illegally.Allison Sossaman
Judge Voids Oakland Mayoral Election, Community Reacts
ABC-24 News, December 9, 2009 In a follow-up election in 2010, Scott Ferguson was elected mayor.

In 2013, Mayor Ferguson—a former preacher—resigned from office after it was revealed he had two wives. The Vice-mayor, Chris Goodman, assumed office until 2016. In 2016 Chris Goodman was elected. In November 2020, he was defeated by Mike Brown.

Accusations regarding the arrest of Brandon Calloway went viral in 2022. Calloway was allegedly assaulted during an arrest by Oakland police officers on July 16, 2022, while fleeing from a traffic violation. When police attempted to pull over Calloway, he fled to and entered what was later found to be his father's residence. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation investigated the incident. In November 2022, a grand jury returned a No True Bill, and the officers were not charged.
The Town of Oakland has gone into deep debt, the town borrowed close to $30,000,000.00 for a new Wastewater treatment plant, close to $10,000,000.00 for a soccer complex/sports complex. The sports complex has been very controversial as Oakland does not have the infrastructure to accommodate even one hundred out of town/overnight visitors. Oakland's town leaderships believeMonthly, public Town Meetings the extra sales revenue generated by out-of-town people coming to Oakland to play soccer will more than offset the multi-million-dollar expenditure. Many believe the town will substantially raise property tax to pay for this expenditure and debt service.2025 the Town of Oakland started into negotiations to purchase a 98 year old building, the town's own inspections revealed the building was loaded with lead based paint and asbestos, needed a complete new roof, all new heat and AC, all new windows, was not ADA compliant, and needed to be retrofitted with an elevator. Many of the town's residence question why, along with how the building could be worth $150,000 more than it had sold for just 3 years earlier.

References

External links

Town of Oakland official website

Oakland Chamber of Commerce

Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Website

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Towns in Fayette County, Tennessee
Towns in Tennessee
Memphis metropolitan area