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.
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.
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.
History
A church had been established by 1909 and had been offered to the Presbyterian Church on the condition they held regular services. Presbyterian services were conducted there until at least 1923. At some later time, the Methodist Church bought the church and replaced it with a new church in 1936. The Methodists operated the church until at least 1976.
Oakwood State School opened on 24 March 1924 under head teacher James Whalley. The school celebrated its centenary in 2024.
Demographics
In the 2011 census, Oakwood had a population of 341 people.
In the 2016 census, Oakwood had a population of 331 people.
In the 2021 census, Oakwood had a population of 364 people.
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)). 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). 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).
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.
^"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.