Oak Hill, Florida
Encyclopedia
Oak Hill is a city in Volusia County
, Florida
, United States
. The population was 1,378 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,454.http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2004-04-12.xls
history. It was the site of an Indian village called Surruque el Viejo near el Baradero de Suroc, which was seen on LeMoyne’s map of 1564. Several English
settlers were in the area during the later 18th century. Seminole
Wars chased away northern timber cutters who named their camp Oak Hill. Arad Sheldon, a resident of that time 1856, took the four bodies massacred just to the north by wagon to New Smyrna Beach.
Following the Territorial Days of Florida
, permanent settlers began moving into the area. Statehood seemed to provide stability for organized communities. By the Civil War
Years, Oak Hill was changing: a salt works was operating, part-time stores were open, and Mitchell had planted the first orange grove
. Following the war, settlers began arriving in the area from many places. The local cemetery has eleven Civil War veteran burials – five unions and six confederates.
Hotels, stores, a post office, and a school operated by Rev. Wicks in the Congregational Church served a few white students in the morning and several black students in the afternoon. A public school for white students was constructed in the early 1890s and a prominent black freedman, Bill Williams provided instruction and space for black students in 1901. A public school for black students was constructed in 1927. Business wise weather was a crucial factor in area economics as most people were either citrus growers or commercial fisherman. Circumstances have had a tremendous impact on these occupations in recent years. Very few citizens are involved with these jobs now. Most gladly commute north or south to earn their livelihood and return to the home of their choice between New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater
, and the Canaveral National Seashore
and Kennedy Space Center
.
The City of Oak Hill was first chartered in 1927. Local government was based on a Mayor Commission with each commissioner functioning as head of a municipal department. The city was later disbanded in 1930. The country was in a depression and the city petitioned the government to inactivate the charter, which was granted. The city later petitioned the government in 1962 to reactivate the charter. Clarence Goodrich was the city's mayor from 1963 to 1989, Mayor Goodrich's term as Mayor spanned 26 years as the longest term any mayor has held in the State of Florida
. Bobby Greatrex became Mayor from 1989 to 1990. Bruce Burch became Mayor from 1990 to 1994. Toreatha Wood became the city's first African-American Mayor, first female mayor, and first African-American female mayor, from 1999 to 2000. Darry Evans also was the first African American male mayor. Lorna Travis became mayor from 2000 to 2001. Susan Cook was Mayor from 2001 to 2002. Bob Jackson was Mayor in 2002. The current Mayor is Darla Lauer.
On the evening of August 1, 2011, the city commission voted to disband the city's police department due to corruption in the department. All nine employees will receive unemployment benefits. The Volusia County Sheriff's Department will assume law enforcement duties for the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 11.2 square miles (29 km²). 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²) of it is land and 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²) of it (43.38%) is water.
of 2000, there were 1,378 people, 549 households, and 410 families residing in the city. The population density
was 216.1 inhabitants per square mile (83.4/km²). There were 695 housing units at an average density of 109.0 per square mile (42.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.79% White, 16.26% African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.51% from other races
, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.
There were 549 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% 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 2.84.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,130, and the median income for a family was $35,682. Males had a median income of $24,643 versus $22,917 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,158. About 7.8% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
Volusia County, Florida
Volusia County is a county located in the state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2010 official county's population was 494,593 . Its county seat is DeLand, and its most populous city is currently Deltona....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,378 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,454.http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2004-04-12.xls
History
The City of Oak Hill is the southernmost city in Southeast Volusia County. The location is rich in early FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
history. It was the site of an Indian village called Surruque el Viejo near el Baradero de Suroc, which was seen on LeMoyne’s map of 1564. Several English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
settlers were in the area during the later 18th century. Seminole
Seminole
The Seminole are a Native American people originally of Florida, who now reside primarily in that state and Oklahoma. The Seminole nation emerged in a process of ethnogenesis out of groups of Native Americans, most significantly Creeks from what is now Georgia and Alabama, who settled in Florida in...
Wars chased away northern timber cutters who named their camp Oak Hill. Arad Sheldon, a resident of that time 1856, took the four bodies massacred just to the north by wagon to New Smyrna Beach.
Following the Territorial Days of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, permanent settlers began moving into the area. Statehood seemed to provide stability for organized communities. By the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
Years, Oak Hill was changing: a salt works was operating, part-time stores were open, and Mitchell had planted the first orange grove
Orange Grove
-Music:* Orange Grove , a Dutch/Antillean reggae band-Australia:* Orange Grove, Western Australia* The Orange Grove affair, a political scandal-United States:...
. Following the war, settlers began arriving in the area from many places. The local cemetery has eleven Civil War veteran burials – five unions and six confederates.
Hotels, stores, a post office, and a school operated by Rev. Wicks in the Congregational Church served a few white students in the morning and several black students in the afternoon. A public school for white students was constructed in the early 1890s and a prominent black freedman, Bill Williams provided instruction and space for black students in 1901. A public school for black students was constructed in 1927. Business wise weather was a crucial factor in area economics as most people were either citrus growers or commercial fisherman. Circumstances have had a tremendous impact on these occupations in recent years. Very few citizens are involved with these jobs now. Most gladly commute north or south to earn their livelihood and return to the home of their choice between New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater
Edgewater
Edgewater is a common name used throughout the world as a place name. It is often found in English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States.-United States:*Edgewater, Alabama*Edgewater, Colorado...
, and the Canaveral National Seashore
Canaveral National Seashore
The Canaveral National Seashore is a National Seashore located between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville, Florida, in Volusia County and Brevard County, United States. The park, located on a barrier island, is home to more than 1,000 plant species and 310 bird species. CANA occupies 58,000 acres ...
and Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program...
.
The City of Oak Hill was first chartered in 1927. Local government was based on a Mayor Commission with each commissioner functioning as head of a municipal department. The city was later disbanded in 1930. The country was in a depression and the city petitioned the government to inactivate the charter, which was granted. The city later petitioned the government in 1962 to reactivate the charter. Clarence Goodrich was the city's mayor from 1963 to 1989, Mayor Goodrich's term as Mayor spanned 26 years as the longest term any mayor has held in the State of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Bobby Greatrex became Mayor from 1989 to 1990. Bruce Burch became Mayor from 1990 to 1994. Toreatha Wood became the city's first African-American Mayor, first female mayor, and first African-American female mayor, from 1999 to 2000. Darry Evans also was the first African American male mayor. Lorna Travis became mayor from 2000 to 2001. Susan Cook was Mayor from 2001 to 2002. Bob Jackson was Mayor in 2002. The current Mayor is Darla Lauer.
On the evening of August 1, 2011, the city commission voted to disband the city's police department due to corruption in the department. All nine employees will receive unemployment benefits. The Volusia County Sheriff's Department will assume law enforcement duties for the city.
Geography
Oak Hill is located at 28.884832°N 80.846836°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 11.2 square miles (29 km²). 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²) of it is land and 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²) of it (43.38%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,378 people, 549 households, and 410 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 216.1 inhabitants per square mile (83.4/km²). There were 695 housing units at an average density of 109.0 per square mile (42.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.79% White, 16.26% African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.51% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.
There were 549 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% 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 2.84.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,130, and the median income for a family was $35,682. Males had a median income of $24,643 versus $22,917 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,158. About 7.8% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.