The community is 18 miles (30 km) northwest of Philadelphia and its boundaries are defined in large part by the village's position at the junction of Perkiomen Creek and the Schuylkill River.

In 2008, the expanded Oaks Wastewater Treatment Plant was completed,[2] and a new round of both housing and retail growth began, including the opening of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.

Another cancelled proposal called the Greenline would have made Oaks the terminus of a new rail line to Paoli, with a new station located adjacent to the Expo Center.

The private West Collection of artwork is open to the public at the headquarters of SEI Investments, and Oaks is now home to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.

The Philadelphia Hawks of the United States Australian Football League plays its home games at Lower Perkiomen Valley Park.