Oakland Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania

History

Oakland Township was once part of Harmony Township (not to be confused with Harmony Borough in Butler County). Oakland Township was formed from the west part of Harmony Township on December 3, 1853. Oakland Borough was later incorporated from part of Oakland Township in 1883.

Emma Hale Smith, wife of Latter-day Saint Movement founder, Joseph Smith, grew up in Oakland Township when it was still part of Harmony Township. During the same time, Joseph lived in Oakland Township and boarded with Emma’s family while he was employed by Josiah Stowell. The Aaronic Priesthood Restoration Site preserves the location of their home.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 16.75 square miles (43.4 km²), of which, 16.45 square miles (42.6 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²) of it (1.79%) is water.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 550 people, 227 households, and 153 families residing in the township. The population density was 33.5 people per square mile (12.9/km²). There were 281 housing units at an average density of 17.1/sq mi (6.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 99.27% White, 0.36% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.45% of the population.

There were 227 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the township the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 102.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $28,438, and the median income for a family was $38,750. Males had a median income of $29,688 versus $22,321 for females. The per capita income for the township was $15,820. About 9.4% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 564 people, 232 households, and 161 families residing in the township. The population density was 34.3 people per square mile (13.2/km²). There were 285 housing units at an average density of 17.3/sq mi (6.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.3% White, 0.5% Black, 0.5% American Indian, 1.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 232 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the township the population was spread out with 20% under the age of 18, 60.9% from 18 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years.

The median income for a household in the township was $55,865, and the median income for a family was $63,417. Males had a median income of $40,599 versus $24,333 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,326. About 3.6% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.