Oakwood is bounded on the south by the Burnett River and on the west by Splitters Creek. The North Coast railway line forms its north-eastern border, but no railway stations serve the locality.[3]
The land use is mostly agricultural, involving irrigated cropping and some grazing. Unlike many farming areas near Bundaberg, sugarcane is growing in Oakwood but not as the predominant crop.[3]
Oakwood has a subtropical climate with wet, hot summers and mild winters. The annual rainfall of Oakwood is about 1010 mm. The most rain received by Oakwood in a day was 258 mm. The most rain received by Oakwood in a September day was around 125 mm.[5]
History
A church had been established by 1909 and had been offered to the Presbyterian Church on the condition they held regular services.[6][7] Presbyterian services were conducted there until at least 1923.[8] At some later time, the Methodist Church bought the church and replaced it with a new church in 1936.[9] The Methodists operated the church until at least 1976.[10]
Oakwood State School opened on 24 March 1924 under head teacher James Whalley.[11][12] The school celebrated its centenary in 2024.[13]
Demographics
In the 2011 census, Oakwood had a population of 341 people.[14]
In the 2016 census, Oakwood had a population of 331 people.[15]
In the 2021 census, Oakwood had a population of 364 people.[1]
Oakwood State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 125 Oakwood School Road (24°50′40″S152°18′01″E / 24.8445°S 152.3004°E / -24.8445; 152.3004 (Oakwood State School)).[17][18] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 101 students with 7 teachers (6 full-time equivalent) and 10 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent).[19] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 115 students with 9 teachers (7 full-time equivalent) and 9 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent).[20]
There is no secondary school in Oakwood. The nearest government secondary school is Bundaberg North State High School in neighbouring Bundaberg North to the east.[3]
^"Advertising". The Bundaberg Mail. Vol. 53, no. 8, 446. Queensland, Australia. 10 August 1923. p. 5. Archived from the original on 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"RELIGIOUS NOTES". The Courier-mail. No. 918. Queensland, Australia. 8 August 1936. p. 7. Archived from the original on 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.