Oakley’s roots trace back to 1897, where R.C. Marsh came to Oakley and settled on what was thought of as infertile land. On September 7, 1898, R.C. Marsh was named the first Postmaster and it was then Oakley became a town. The soil in Oakley created by the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta was thought to be a so-called reason for a lack of crops. However, the early settlers proved everyone else wrong by growing an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Not only is Oakley capable of growing fruits and veggies this city is also known for cultivating almonds, grapes, walnuts, and pecans. Farming was a big part of Oakley’s Heritage. In 1950, Oakley was one of the leading almond producing areas in California.
The City of Oakley is located 5 miles East of Antioch California and 33 miles Northeast of Oakland California and is a part of Contra Costa County. Oakley’s population as of 2017 is 41,714 people with 50% of the population being men and 50% being women. The average commute time is 41 minutes and about 2.7% of the population use public transportation. Oakley’s economy specializes in construction, utilities, and transportation & warehousing. The largest industries in Oakley are Healthcare & Social Assistance (2,404), Retail trade (2,277), and Construction (2,112).
Oakley has quite a few attractions to see, the East Contra Costa Historical Society and Museum is one of them. This museum is located off of Sellers Avenue, where you can learn more in-depth about The City of Oakley and its history. There are many local parks that are great for youth sports, school activities, family outings, and neighborhood parties. The Big Break Regional Shoreline is a must see, as a part of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River, it provides a great place to learn about some of our wildlife. Also, the Civic Center Park is a great spot to have family time. In the summer they have movie nights in the park and provide snacks as well, perfect for making memories with the family.
