Oakley is a lively and booming neighborhood situated in the shining city of Cincinnati, Ohio. The historical and middle-class neighborhood of Oakley is known for its high walkability, beautiful parks, excellent local and chain shopping options like Oakley Square, and top-rated restaurants. As the 9th largest neighborhood in Cincinnati, Oakley is further home to a bustling business and nightlife scene while still retaining peace and quiet within the smaller residential areas. You’ll find a satisfying mix of diversities here– everything from young professionals to families. Moreover, Oakley is a constantly evolving and growing neighborhood in Cincinnati that is ideal for those who crave both a family-friendly environment and all the amenities of an urban-suburban lifestyle.
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Where is Oakley, Cincinnati?
The neighborhood of Oakley is located on the northeast end of Cincinnati– just four miles north of the beloved Ohio River. As a part of Hamilton County, Oakley is bordered by the neighborhoods of Pleasant Ridge to the north, Madisonville to the east, and Hyde Park to the south. In fact, Oakley is often referred to as that “neighborhood next to Hyde Park”.
Oakley has the zip code 45209 whereas the distance from Oakley to downtown Cincinnati is 6.7 miles southwest. When it comes to commuting, Oakley provides close proximity to the rest of Cincinnati considering it is close to I-71 and the Norwood lateral. Erie Ave, Madison Rd, and Marburg Ave are a few of the main roads that wind through the neighborhood.
While Oakley is accredited for being very pedestrian and biker friendly, using a vehicle is the most common and convenient way to get around from one part of the neighborhood to the other. Don’t have a car? With bus stations and ride-sharing options like Lyft or Uber, there are plenty of opportunities for public transportation in Oakley, Cincinnati. The 10 bus stops in Oakley are along Madison Rd. and Marburg Ave and are all served by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA).
Map of Oakley, Cincinnati
Oakley History & Overview
In the 1800s, Oakley was known as “Four Mile” and served as a popular stop for wagon drivers passing along the current Madison Road. Oakley is named after all the beautiful oak trees scattered throughout the area. In 1898, the neighborhood of Oakley was incorporated and the community began to grow. A few of the original establishments that contributed to the population boom of Oakley included Oakley Race Course, Cincinnati Milling Machine Company, Geier Esplanade (now Oakley Square), and Twentieth Century Theatre. Oakley was once the home of Annie Oakley, a famed markswoman who starred in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show.
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Over the last two decades, Oakley has transformed itself into a hotspot for entertainment and nightlife. Today, Oakley has a population of 10,971 and is a major crosstown artery and primary thoroughfare in Cincinnati. The median household income in Oakley Cincinnati is $75,045. Likewise, residents here have a median age of 31.8 whereas 4.13% of them are foreign-born.
What’s it like living in Oakley Cincinnati?
Due to the community’s breadth of family-friendly activities and nearby amenities, the vibrant Oakley neighborhood in Cincinnati is desirable for families, millennials, and students of all ages and backgrounds. If you love non-motorized transportation such as walking or biking, Oakley is the 9th most walkable neighborhood in Cincinnati with an abundance of well-maintained sidewalks, parks, outdoor shopping centers, and trails like the extensive Wasson Way Trail.
Oakley is one of the richest neighborhoods in Cincinnati and is constantly growing and evolving. Over the last two decades, Oakley has transformed itself into a hotspot for entertainment and nightlife. Much of the community’s attraction is focused on the district known as Oakley Square.
Oakley Square
Situated on and around Madison Road, this excellent business district in the heart of Oakley is home to a variety of craft beer spots, indie shops, two shopping centers, and rustic restaurants. There’s even a brewery and a chocolate shop to take advantage of! It’s no secret that Oakley Square is one of Cincinnati’s best places to shop. Whether you’re on a girl’s shopping trip for the weekend or a young student looking for a new bar to try, the neighborhood of Oakley has something everyone can enjoy!
Quaint stores and top-rated bars aren’t the only luxuries this relatively affluent neighborhood has to offer. Oakley is also known for its long list of fun events such as Oakley Masquerade, Light Up Oakley, and the especially notable Oakley After Hours.
Oakley After Hours
Located within the Oakley Square district, this is a monthly community event in Oakley that attracts Cincinnatians from all over. The event is sponsored by local businesses and features live music, activities, drink and food specials, and after-hours dining and shopping.
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Things to Do in Oakley – Best Restaurants, Attractions & Shopping
Oakley Cincinnati Restaurants
Looking for a place to take the family for supper in Oakley? Red Feather Kitchen is one of the best restaurants in Oakley as it features tasty American fare, craft cocktails, and a nice wine selection within a cozy chic setting. If you’re looking for a delicious Thai restaurant, Green Papaya is the place to go. This popular Thai eatery in Oakley has everything from stir-fries to fresh sushi.
Oakley Cincinnati Shopping
If you’re looking for a place to spend some cash, within the Oakley Square business district are two popular shopping centers– Oakley Station and Hyde Park Plaza. Oakley Station is a hip shopping mall in Oakley that offers a nice selection of shops and stores. Likewise, Hyde Park Plaza offers local specialty shops, national retailers, and even two grocery stores.
Things to Do in Oakley Cincinnati
Apart from the shopping and dining options, there are plenty of things to do in Oakley such as visiting amenities near the Oakley Recreation Center. Here, you’ll find the Oakley Playground, a swimming pool, and a basketball court for when you want to get some exercise and get the kids out of the house. If you really want to wear out the little ones, the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park is the ultimate go-to. This large-scale indoor trampoline center has everything from dodgeball, to fitness classes. For rainy days, you can catch a movie with a side of popcorn Cinemark Oakley Station and XD.
- Red Feather Kitchen
- 45209, 3200 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209, (513)-407-3631
- Green Papaya
- 2942 Wasson Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209, (513)-731-0107
- Oakley Station
- 3225 Oakley Station Blvd, Cincinnati, OH 45209, (513)-784-1106
- Hyde Park Plaza
- 3760 Paxton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45209, (513)-686-1600
- Oakley Playground
- 3900 Paxton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45209, (513)-631-4264
- Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
- 3321 Alamo Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45209, (513)-322-3130
- Cinemark Oakley Station and XD
- 3025 Disney St, Cincinnati, OH 45209, (513)-351-2381
Schools in Oakley Cincinnati
Oakley offers close access to some of the finest schools in Cincinnati. Cincinnati Public Schools serve the areas in and around Oakley. This district provides quality education to over 36,000 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. A few of the schools closest to Oakley are Hyde Park School and Withrow University High School. Cincinnati Public Schools CPS’ Interactive Cropper Map System.
Oakley is also home to several preschools, a kindergarten, and even a swimming school known as Bear Paddle Swim School – Oakley Station. Oakley is just six miles northwest of the University of Cincinnati.
Is Oakley Cincinnati Safe?
Oakley is one of Cincinnati’s safest neighborhoods with a total rate that is around 22% below the national average. The neighborhood has an estimated 1,831 crimes per 100k residents as opposed to the state average of 2,159 per 100k. All things considered, Oakley is a very safe neighborhood to live in and raise a family in.
The Oakley neighborhood is served by the Cincinnati Police Department with its 1005 sworn officers. You can learn more about crime in Oakley and surrounding areas with this Cincinnati crime dashboard that includes an interactive crime map.
Oakley, Cincinnati Real Estate
Interested in Oakley Cincinnati homes? Being somewhat of a miniature city itself, Oakley provides plenty of affordable single-family homes, apartment complexes, and condos. Homes here range from the early 20th century to modern architecture.
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According to Redfin, Oakley has a median house price of $363,000 which is around $138,200 above the state median. The average sale price per square foot in Oakley is $223 which has increased by 9.0% in the last year. If you’re interested in buying property, try searching for Oakley, Cincinnati homes for sale online. On the flip side, RentCafe has the average monthly rent in Oakley Cincinnati at $1,478– just $152 above the national average.
If you’re moving to Cincinnati and interested in living in the Oakley neighborhood, Bell Moving is here to give you a smooth and worry-free relocation! Reach out to us today at 513-942-7500 or complete the “Request a Quote” form on our website so our professional Oakley moving services can begin the process!
