Oakwood, Redwood City
Updated June 22, 2026 · 5,656 residents
Oakwood is a quiet, residential neighborhood in Redwood City characterized by its grid-based street layout and high walkability. The area features a mix of custom single-family homes and multi-story apartment complexes, providing a serene environment with minimal industrial presence.
Key Highlights
About Oakwood
Oakwood offers a tranquil suburban atmosphere defined by its well-manicured landscaping and a blend of architectural styles. The neighborhood is highly walkable, with a structured grid system that makes navigating local streets straightforward for residents. It stands out for its acoustic comfort, as it maintains relatively low noise levels compared to the broader city average, making it a peaceful retreat for those seeking a quiet home life. The area is entirely residential and light commercial, free from heavy industrial facilities, which contributes to its consistent appeal for long-term residents.
Living in this area involves certain trade-offs, particularly regarding environmental risks, as local data indicates significant concerns related to flood and fire safety. While the neighborhood provides a high level of health insurance coverage and a stable, community-focused environment, prospective residents should be aware of the ongoing fiscal and operational challenges within the local school districts. The neighborhood is best suited for individuals or families who prioritize a quiet, pedestrian-friendly lifestyle and are comfortable navigating the complexities of the regional school system.
Neighborhood Scores Across 15 Qualities
Residential spacing is inconsistent throughout the area, ranging from dense multi-family housing to homes with small side yards. This level of privacy is roughly in line with the average for Redwood City.
A consistent sidewalk network and clear crosswalks facilitate easy movement throughout the residential grid. While the area is slightly less walkable than the Redwood City average due to industrial blocks and a major rail corridor, many streets remain safe for pedestrians.
Large, well-maintained homes and private backyard pools characterize much of this area. According to iHuus data, the visual quality of the landscape is slightly below the Redwood City average due to pockets of standard apartment and warehouse density.
Walking routes are restricted by narrow sidewalk verges and a lack of accessible public parks. According to iHuus data, the neighborhood offers fewer opportunities for outdoor pet activity compared to the Redwood City average.
Residential streets and green spaces are balanced with commercial and industrial structures. This area presents a slightly less urbanized environment than the Redwood City average, according to iHuus data.
A balanced mix of residential streets and dining options provides a slightly more active atmosphere than the Redwood City average. While some areas feature social hubs and diverse eateries, much of the neighborhood remains a quiet, car-dependent suburban landscape.
Frequent noise from nearby freeway traffic and railroad tracks makes this area significantly louder than most of Redwood City. According to iHuus data, residents can expect much higher levels of acoustic disturbance than the city average.
Air quality in this area fluctuates between acceptable and unhealthy levels, which is slightly below the Redwood City average according to iHuus data. Sensitive groups may experience occasional concerns during certain periods.
Industrial presence is minimal in Oakwood, consisting primarily of residential streets and light commercial zones. This lack of heavy industry is consistent with the rest of Redwood City, providing a landscape free from significant industrial hazards or large-scale warehouse operations.
Health insurance access among Oakwood residents is lower than the Redwood City average, according to iHuus data.
Voting patterns and census indicators reflect a deeply liberal community, aligning closely with the broader Redwood City average according to iHuus data.
Residents live alongside a balanced variety of young adults, families, and seniors. According to iHuus data, the age distribution in Oakwood is slightly more concentrated in specific age groups compared to the broader Redwood City average.
Properties in Oakwood are located within a designated floodplain, which presents a significantly higher risk of flooding compared to the Redwood City average. According to iHuus data, residents in this area may need to consider flood insurance as part of their housing costs.
Block-Level Insights for Oakwood
iHuus Neighborhood Intelligence Insights
Get block-level neighborhood insights for Oakwood
- Street-level scores — see how individual blocks compare, not just neighborhood averages
- Micro-zone boundaries — identify quiet pockets, flood boundaries, and walkable clusters before you visit
- 15 dimensions in full — walkability, noise, air quality, school quality, insurance coverage, population age profile, urban/rural index, and more
- Boundary risk alerts — know if your address sits near a block boundary where scores drop, the kind of detail no listing will ever mention
- School insights — individual school ratings and insights, not just district-level data
- Compare before you commit — side-by-side data across neighborhoods, down to block precision
No credit card required
Compare with Any Neighborhood
| Dimension | Oakwood | Ampex |
|---|---|---|
| 🚶 Walkabilityavg 8.4 | ||
| 🔊 Acoustic Comfortavg 4.29 | ||
| 🤫 Privacy Indexavg 4.9 | ||
| 🎨 Visual Appealavg 7 | ||
| 🐕 Dog Friendlinessavg 6.12 | ||
| 🗺️ Urban-Rural Indexavg 6.63 | ||
| ✨ Neighborhood Vibeavg 4.41 | ||
| 🏥 Health Insurance Coverageavg 7.97 | ||
| 🌿 Air Qualityavg 6.23 | ||
| 🏭 Industrial Proximityavg 8.38 | ||
| 🌊 Flood Safetyavg 4.84 | ||
| 🗳️ Ideological Leanavg 9.73 | ||
| 👥 Population Age Profileavg 4.84 | ||
| 🔥 Fire Safetyavg 0.22 | ||
| 🏫 School Quality |
Oakwood Rankings
School Districts Serving Oakwood
Redwood City Elementary School District functions as a stable but bifurcated organization characterized by high-quality teaching staff and strong community engagement, yet weighed down by significant fiscal and enrollment headwinds. While facilities are seeing modern upgrades through voter-approved bonds, the district is currently navigating a period of contraction, marked by multi-million dollar budget cuts, staff attrition, and increasing class sizes that have sparked tension with the labor union. Academically, the portfolio ranges from elite, high-demand schools to underperforming campuses, resulting in a district that offers excellent opportunities for those in specific programs but faces systemic challenges in elevating overall proficiency across its diverse student body.
Schools
Sequoia Union High School District remains an academic powerhouse with high-performing flagship schools like Carlmont and Menlo-Atherton consistently outpacing state standards; however, it is currently in a state of operational transition and controversy. The district faces significant community backlash following the decision to close the newly built TIDE Academy to address a $6 million deficit, alongside parent concerns regarding the removal of honors-level 'bridge' courses for younger students. While the core academic portfolio is robust, recent lawsuits involving staff misconduct and ongoing debates over curriculum equity and fiscal management signal internal instability that offsets its high-ranking test scores.
Schools
School Insights for Oakwood
Below average outcomes; significant attendance and academic challenges.
School Insights
See what's really behind every school rating near Oakwood
- Individual school ratings — each school's own score with outcome context, not just a district average
- Enrollment & class size data — student-to-teacher ratio and how it compares to the state average
- Full demographics breakdown — ethnicity and gender composition for every school in the enrollment zone
- Every school in the district — all schools within the enrollment boundary ranked by rating, not just the closest one
- Grade levels & benchmarks — elementary through high school, with below/above state-average flags
No credit card required