About Oakland Township 

Location 

Oakland Township is still primarily a rural township located in the northeastern section of Oakland County near the Macomb County border. It is located just north of Rochester Hills and just south Lake Orion and Romeo. 

Roads 

I75 is the main freeway that runs North and South through Oakland County and to all points in northern Michigan. M-59 runs East and West through the county. Other major thoroughfares in Oakland Township are Orion Road, and Rochester Roads. M53 is east of Oakland Township in Macomb County and runs north and south. 

Airports 

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is approximately 36 miles away and is the largest international airport in the area. Flint Bishop International Airport is approximately 34 miles away. Detroit City Airport is approximately 27 miles away. Oakland County International Airport in approximately 10 miles away; Oakland/Troy Airport and Romeo State Airport are public use airports in the area.  

Terrain 

Natural beauty, country roads and lots of open space characterize Oakland Township. As the development of new housing communities grows, preserving its rural flavor will be a priority.  

The Charter Township of Oakland has a total area of 37 square miles of which .3 square miles of it is water. 

Stony Creek is a tributary of the Clinton River that flows through many cities, including Washington Township and Rochester Hills before entering the Clinton River just east of downtown Rochester. It is the areas “hidden jewel”. The Stony Creek subwatershed features pristine natural areas, such as the Bald Mountain State Recreation Area in Oakland Township, as well as Stony Creek Metropark in western Washington Township. Stony Creek also has a rich cultural history, with many old mill sites and the historic Van Hoosen Farm, now Rochester Hills Museum.  

Population and Other Statistics  

The population of Oakland Township is 13,071. 

The median household income in Oakland Township is $102,034 compared to $41,994 nationally (2000 census). 

Jobs 

Oakland Township locally has some light industrial businesses but the majority of residents of the township commute to the surrounding area for job opportunities. 

Residents of Oakland Township are well educated, as is most of Oakland County, with 28% having a Bachelor’s degree and 19% having a graduate degree (2000 census). 

Oakland Township is located near the World Headquarters of Daimler Chrysler and situated within commutable distance from Automation Alley, a concentration of automotive, computer-based, and research focused companies.  

Average commute time to work is 31 minutes.

Schools/Colleges/Universities 

Children in Oakland Township will attend one of three school districts, depending on the location of the home in the township --- Rochester Community Schools (248) 651-6210, Lake Orion School District (248) 693-5410 or Romeo Community Schools (810) 752-0200. 

Colleges and universities near Oakland Township include Oakland Community College in Bloomfield Hills with an enrollment of 11,634, Lawrence Technological University in Southfield with an enrollment of 2,479, University of Phoenix-Detroit Campus in Troy with an enrollment of 2.090, and Oakland University in Rochester Hills with an enrollment of 11.424. 

Housing 

Although the last decade has brought a new development to Oakland Township, it retains its rural flavor. Wooded areas, creeks, and winding country roads make up much of the scenery and is the attraction for many new residents wanting to escape the hustle/bustle of the city.  

Total housing units is 4,529 with 70 rental units. Median rent paid in Oakland Township is $741. Median house value in Oakland Township is $299,400 (2000 census). 

The majority of housing available in Oakland Township is single family homes.  

Historic Buildings 

Cranberry Park in Oakland Township is home to Cranberry Lake Farm Historic District. It is an historic farmstead of ten structures dating back to the 1840's that is being restored by the township for public use in the future. 

Paint Creek Cider Mill in Oakland Township was a grist mill established at the site of Goodison in 1835. In 1950, the original mill was torn down and the existing cider mill erected. Ownership of the cider mill has been transferred to Oakland Township, which plans to continue operation of the store and use the facility for township and organization offices. 

Interesting Facts 

Oakland Township is in Oakland County, a very developed and sophisticated county, but stays beyond the reach of congestion and overcrowding, maintaining a rural setting with small country churches and cider mills. 

Charter Township of Oakland was established in 1827. Charter township status is a special township classification created by the Michigan Legislature in 1947 to provide additional powers and stream-lined administration for governing a growing community. A primary motivation for townships to adopt the charter form is to provide greater protection against annexation by a city. The State of Michigan currently contains 1,242 townships, which vary considerably in geographical size and population. 

Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf 

Cranberry Lake Park in Oakland Township is located between Predmore Road and Romeo Road (32 mile Road). It encompasses over 200 acres and the western shoreline of Cranberry Lake. The park boasts numerous hiking and biking trails. 

Oakland Township has almost 500 acres of undeveloped parkland, as well portions of the Bald Mountain Recreation Area and Stoney Creek Metro Park. Summer activities at the metro park include swimming, horseback riding, fishing, picnicking, golfing, and boating. In winter there's ice fishing, skating, sledding, tobogganing and cross-country skiing. 

Bear Creek Nature Park in Oakland Township consists of 107 scenic acres, ADA accessible limestone trails and boardwalks, as well as mowed rustic trails that traverse beautiful woodlands, open meadows, marshlands, and wetlands. These trails allow hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and observing of some of Michigan's varied wildlife in their natural habitats. 

Beaver Creek Golf Course and Twin Lakes Golf and Swim Club are located in Oakland Township.  

Special Events 

The Oakland Township “Curamus Terram” 5K and Half-Marathon Race held in the fall celebrates the beauty of Oakland Township while helping to preserve Township parks. The Latin term “Curamus Terram” is inscribed on the Township seal and translates to “Caretakers of the Earth”. The 5K run/walk goes through the adjoining Bear Creek Park and the scenic half-marathon course utilizes local roads, the Paint Creek Trail, and Bald Mountain Park trails.  

Oakland Township holds the “Goodison Good Tyme” in the fall. Historic tours of Goodison are available as well as other outdoor events. There are also two Cider Mills located within Goodison. Bring the family and enjoy one of the best-kept secrets in Lower Michigan.