Welcome to Key to the City's page for
Oak Ridge
Anderson County and Roane County,
Zip Code
America's Secret City
The Atomic City
The Tennessee state capital is Nashville.
What would you like to know about Oak Ridge
Statistics & Facts
Location
Weather & Climate
History & History-related items
Oak Ridge historical events.
City Attractions
Oak Ridge Government
Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
Oak Ridge Community news
Oak Ridge Organizations, Churches, and Sports.
Oak Ridge Schools.
Zip Codes
37830
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Statistics & Facts
The population of Oak Ridge is approximately 27,638 (2006).
The approximate number of families is 13,417 (2000).
The amount of land area in Oak Ridge is 221.579 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Oak Ridge is 85.5 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 11.325 sq kilometers.
The distance from Oak Ridge to Washington DC is 460 miles. The distance to the Tennessee state capital is 141 miles. (as the crow flies)
Oak Ridge is positioned 35.96 degrees north of the equator and 84.29 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Oak Ridge elevation is 875 feet above sea level.
Oak Ridge per capita income is $24,793 (2000).
Oak Ridge median income is $42,600 (2005).
The Oak Ridge median home price is $116,000 (2005).
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Location
Oak Ridge location: about 24 miles from Knoxville in east-central Tennessee. Other nearby communities include Walden Ridge, Oliver Springs, Hardin Valley, Farragut, Coalfield, Concord, New River and Lenoir City. Here is a map page for Oak Ridge.
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Climate & Weather
The climate for Oak Ridge is moderate with four seasons represented. Though low or high temperatures may occur during the year, they usually don't last for too long of a period of time.
The weather in Oak Ridge is moderate. Here is a current weather page for Oak Ridge.
The average low temperature is 46 degrees F.
The average high temperature is 69 degrees F.
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History & History Related Items
Oak Ridge history: Local Native Americans were in the area for thousands of years, some leaving mound sites near here. Several small communities were developed here during the 1800s. In the late 1800s, a local man, John Hendrix, claimed to see the future as far as Oak Ridge was concerned. He had visions and described what the area would be like in the future, even down to helping to win a great war. Oak Ridge was established in the early 1940s as a base for the Manhattan Project— the U.S. government operation that developed the atomic bomb. As such, scientific development still plays a crucial role in the city's economy and culture in general. The area was chosen because of a smaller population which made acquisition of land more affordable and accessibility of transportation and utilities was relatively available. Once the project began, the government basically kept the town a secret, not even letting the name appear on maps. The town wasn't officially named until 1949. Until that time it was known as the Clinton Engineering Works (CEW). There was a huge increase in population once the project began with the area growing from about 3,000 residents to over 75,000 people, who were mostly employees of the project. The town was formulated by the Skidmore, Owings and Merrill architecture firm. Many of the buildings were prefabricated type so the town took shape rather quickly. Once the war was over, the town was given over to civilian control. In 1959, Oak Ridge was incorporated with a City manager and city council governing rather than a federal controller. Tours of the remaining facilities are available during the summer. It is such a popular tour that there is a waiting list to attend.
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Attractions
Oak Ridge attractions: Besides America's Secret City, Oak Ridge has several other nicknames, among them are the Atomic City, The Ridge and the City Behind the Fence Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Operated by the Department of Energy
P.O. Box 2008
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
Phone: 865-574-4160 American Museum of Science & Energy
300 S. Tulane Ave.
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
PHone: 865-576-3200
Explore, experiment and discover energy in all its forms and uses. The museum also holds live scientific demonstrations and has many interctive exhibits. Please call for hours and details. University of Tennessee Arboretum
This 250 acre site has trails, over 2,500 native and exotic woody plant specimens that are viewable all year.
Phone: 865-483-3571 Children's Museum of Oak Ridge
461 W. Outer Dr.
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Phone: 865-482-1074
A hands-on cultural and educational center focusing on art, history and science. One of the largest swimming pools in the USA - the Oak Ridge Municipal Pool
Centennial Golf Course (very nice course opened in 1998)
Historical Jackson Square The Friendship Bell (to symbolize peaceful relations between Oak Ridge and Nagasaki and Hiroshima, since Oak Ridge contributed to the making of the bomb during the war.)
Located on Badger Avenue Read these interesting facts about Oak Ridge.
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