Oxford is a city in northwestern Butler County, Ohio, United States. The population was 23,035 at the 2020 census. A college town, Oxford was founded as a home for Miami University and lies in the southwestern portion of the state approximately 40 mi northwest of Cincinnati and 40 mi southwest of Dayton. It is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area.

History

Miami University was chartered in 1809, and Oxford was laid out by James Heaton on March 29, 1810, by the Ohio General Assembly's order of February 6, 1810. It was established in Range 1 East, Town 5 North of the Congress Lands in the southeast quarter of Section 22, the southwest corner of Section 23, the northwest corner of Section 26, and the northeast corner of Section 27. The municipality of Oxford posits that it was named for Oxford in England. The original village, consisting of 128 lots, was incorporated on February 23, 1830. Oxford was elevated to city status in 1971. Freedom Summer started with orientations at Western College for Women in June 1964. This event is commemorated near the Kumler Chapel on the Western campus, now a part of Miami University. Oxford became a qualified Tree City USA as recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation in 1996.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.68 sqmi, all land. Oxford is a part of Oxford Township, originally called the College Township.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 23,035 people and 7,187 households living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 79.6% White, 5.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 8.8% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 4.0% of the population.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 21,371 people, 5,799 households, and 1,909 families living in the city. The population density was 3199.3 PD/sqmi. There were 6,622 housing units at an average density of 991.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 87.6% White, 4.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 5.4% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 2.3% of the population. There were 5,799 households, of which 14.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 24.6% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 67.1% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.78. The median age in the city was 21.4 years. 6.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 67.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 10.9% were from 25 to 44; 8.8% were from 45 to 64; and 5.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 21,943 people, 5,870 households, and 2,066 families living in the city. The population density was 3,734.4 PD/sqmi. There were 6,134 housing units at an average density of 1,043.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 91.2% White, 4.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.4% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 1.44% of the population. There were 5,870 households, out of which 16.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.8% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 64.8% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% 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 city, 8.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 66.8% was from 18 to 24, 11.7% from 25 to 44, 8.4% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $25,164, and the median income for a family was $52,589. Males had a median income of $35,833 versus $24,637 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,165. About 13.4% of families and 43.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Festivals and performances include: Oxford has a public library, a branch of the Lane Libraries. Museums include the Robert A. Hefner Museum of Natural History, the Karl E. Limper Geology Museum, the William Holmes McGuffey Museum, and the Miami University Art Museum.

Parks and recreation

The Miami University Natural Areas has over 17 miles of hiking trails throughout Oxford. Hikers can hike through the Silvoor Biology Sanctuary and up to the bluffs, or through the 100 acre Western Woods to enjoy a "magnificent stand of oaks, beech and maples".

Education

Miami University, the large public research university of around 20,000 students that Oxford was established around, has historically always been the largest and most prominent post-secondary institution in the city. The Western College for Women operated from 1853 to 1974, first as a seminary and later as a liberal arts college before it merged with Miami University. The Oxford College for Women in uptown Oxford was founded in 1849 in affiliation with the Presbyterian Church, and became a dormitory of Miami in 1928 before it became the Oxford Community Arts Center. Talawanda School District is the public school district serving Oxford. The McGuffey Montessori School offers grades PK to 8.

Transportation

The Butler County Regional Transit Authority provides bus service in the city with connections to Hamilton, Middletown, as well as Springdale, where riders can transfer to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority serving greater Cincinnati.

Notable people

Sister cities

Differdange, Luxembourg, which is home to the Miami University Dolibois European Center, is a sister city to Oxford. Oxford established a sister city relationship with Dubno, Ukraine, in 2023.