Oakland, California
Oakland is the largest city in Alameda County, California with a population of over 420,000 residents as of 2019 according to Wikipedia. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area and is known for its history, economy, and cultural attractions.
Population
As mentioned, Oakland has a population of over 420,000 as of 2019 making it the 8th largest city in California. The racial makeup of Oakland is 34.5% White, 24.8% Black or African American, 25.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 3.7% two or more races according to census data.
Oakland saw periods of fast growth in the 1850s during the Gold Rush and in the 1940s due to wartime industry. The city has become more ethnically diverse over time. You can contact the city of Oakland at:
City of Oakland
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 238-3000
History
Oakland was founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1854. It grew quickly due to its location on San Francisco Bay as a gateway to the goldfields during the California Gold Rush. In the late 1860s, Oakland was selected as the western terminal for the Transcontinental Railroad which brought more growth.
For more on Oakland’s history, visit the Oakland Public Library Oakland History page.
Economy
Traditionally Oakland’s economy was focused on heavy industry including shipbuilding and automobile manufacturing. However, like much of the Bay Area, Oakland has shifted to a service economy focused on transportation, tourism, real estate, education, healthcare, and financial services.
Major companies headquartered in Oakland include Clorox, Pandora Radio, and Matson Inc. Some of the largest employers are Kaiser Permanente, Alameda County, and the Oakland Unified School District.
For more on the Oakland economy visit the Chamber of Commerce website at https://oaklandchamber.com
Attractions
Oakland has many cultural attractions and museums. These include:
- Oakland Museum of California – 1000 Oak St, Oakland, CA 94607, Phone: (510) 318-8400
- Chabot Space and Science Center – 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619, Phone: (510) 336-7300
- Oakland Zoo – 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605, Phone: (510) 632-9525
- Paramount Theatre – 2025 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, Phone: (510) 893-2300
Natural attractions include Lake Merritt, Joaquin Miller Park, and Redwood Regional Park. Sports teams include the Oakland Athletics, Oakland Raiders, and Golden State Warriors.
For more on things to do and see in Oakland, visit the City of Oakland Facebook page or Oakland visitors website.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is provided by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which has several stations in Oakland, and AC Transit which provides bus service in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more at the BART and AC Transit websites.
Education
Oakland is served by the Oakland Unified School District. There are over 80 public schools including elementary, middle, and high schools. There are also many private and charter schools.
Learn more at the Oakland Unified School District website.
Landmarks
Here are some of Oakland’s most famous landmarks:
- Fox Theater – 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94612 (37.8078939, -122.2710517)
- Lake Merritt – Oakland, CA (37.7978401, -122.265154)
- Jack London Square – Foot of Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607 (37.7970397, -122.2824174)
Here is a map showing the locations of some popular landmarks in Oakland:
County Information
Oakland is located in Alameda County. You can find more information at the Alameda County website:
Alameda County
1221 Oak St #536
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 272-6352
Additional Resources
Here are some additional resources on Oakland: