Office of Off-Campus Affairs
Oxford History
- Miami University was chartered in 1809 and the town streets were platted in 1810.
- The village of Oxford was incorporated in 1830 with a population of 700 residents.
- A charter form of government was adopted in 1961 and a seven member City Council is the governing body, while the daily operations are run by a City Manager.
- The heart of the uptown district runs through the middle of the Mile Square. Also located in this area are the McCullough-Hyde Hospital, Lane Public Library, the Municipal Building, Oxford Police Department, Oxford Fire Department, Area I Court Building, area schools, and many local churches and religious organizations.
- Annexation of lands outside the Mile Square began in the 1950’s and the city boundaries changed. Annexation Map
- By the 1970’s, Oxford’s population grew large enough to become a city.
- 1950’s—the village expanded to 1 ¼ miles.
- 1980’s—the City grew to roughly 4 miles in size.
- 1996—Oxford City limits expanded to 5.7 miles.
- Correspondingly, Miami University has grown over the years as well.
- In 1950 there were 5,000 students.
- In 1967 there were about 10,000 students.
- In 1980 there were 15,000 students.
- In 2000 there were 16,500 students.
- That number has held relatively steady since then.
- As the student population increased, the demand for housing increased and much of the older housing was converted to student rentals, particularly in the Mile Square.
