Why Oxnard?

Oxnard boasts a vibrant community, with an educated workforce and business-friendly climate, that has grown from a small agricultural town into a world-class destination. The California Central Coast experience begins in Oxnard, with miles of uncrowded beaches, quality housing, a world-class education system, and historic downtown.

Oxnard is a city rich in history and diverse cultural attractions. It is named for the brothers who founded the sugar beet factory here more than 100 years ago. Oxnard is a place where impressive architecture blends with multicultural influences and where winemakers set up tasting rooms in surprising venues. And you can explore Oxnard’s blend of worldly cuisine, and experience our local farm-to-table flavors. We are a community that celebrates with fabulous festivals and events year-round, at the “Annual California Strawberry Festival” and “Oxnard Salsa Festival”.

• Oxnard and Ventura County’s economy has grown every year since the national recession ended in 2009
• In 2015, the county produced $48.22 billion in goods and services, for an annual growth rate of 1.4 percent
• In 2016 it was projected to produce $49.71 billion, for a growth rate of 1.8 percent, and in 2017, the gross county product
  is projected at $51.37 billion, or a 1.7 percent annual growth rate
• According to the United States Census Bureau, the City of Oxnard’s 2012 total retail sales totaled more than $2.3 billion dollars
• In 2015 the Washington Post ranked Ventura County the single most desirable place to live in the lower 48 states, based on a U.S. Department of Agriculture database that measures “natural amenities,” primarily climate and scenery
• Major area attractions include the Carnegie Art Museum, Channel Islands Harbor and Maritime Museum, The Collection at RiverPark, Mullin Automotive Museum, Heritage Square, Plaza Park, Oxnard Performing Arts and Convention Center, and Silver Strand Beach
• Oxnard’s sustainability policies and practices including the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, Energy Action Plan, alternative transportation and recreation, water supply innovation with the City’s state of the art Brackish Groundwater Desalter, and a culture of innovation
• Oxnard offers the Port of Hueneme, a deep water “break bulk” facility, providing Oxnard and Ventura County with a port of entry and foreign trade zone status.  The only commercial deep-water port between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the Port of Hueneme is adjacent to major populated urban areas, automotive epicenters, and California’s agriculture heartland.  The Port is just 60 miles north of Los Angeles and offers a highly efficient and uncontested alternative to other west coast ports

Ventura County’s natural environment is almost certainly its greatest resource. Its people are, of course, immensely valuable, but the biggest reason they want to live here is the natural beauty. In fact, “Quality of life,” that ineffable thing that draws so many people here, is largely a reflection of the region’s natural beauty and bounty.

In the big, decades-spanning picture, our air and ocean water are far cleaner than they once were, and our residents use less water and electricity on a per capita basis.

Click here for a detailed profile of Oxnard by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).

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Major Employers

Boskovich Farms Inc.
Haas Automation Inc.
Oxnard College
Oxnard Union High School District
Proctor & Gamble
PTI Technologies
Spatz Laboratories
St. John’s Regional Medical Center

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For additional questions on Oxnard, please contact the Community & Economic Development Department at (805) 385-7407 or click here.