Oxnard
cityOxnard is a coastal city in Ventura County, California, located on the fertile Oxnard Plain, approximately 60 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. As the most populous city in Ventura County and the 22nd-most populous in California, Oxnard had a population of 202,063 in 2020. The city is known for its agricultural production, particularly strawberries, leading to its nickname as the "Strawberry Capital of the World". Oxnard's economy is diverse, with key industries including agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism. Major employers operate in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and agriculture. The city is a major transportation hub in Southern California, with access to Amtrak, Union Pacific, Metrolink, and a regional airport. The Channel Islands Harbor and the Port of Hueneme, located nearby, contribute to the city's economic activity. Oxnard's distinctive character is shaped by its rich agricultural history, cultural diversity, and coastal location. The city's history includes the influence of the Chumash Native Americans, Spanish colonization, and the development of a sugar beet industry in the late 19th century. Today, Oxnard is a vibrant community with a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and industrial areas, offering a range of recreational and cultural attractions.
Oxnard, California
- Classification
- City
- Country
- United States
- County
- Ventura County
- Region
- Oxnard Plain
- Elevation
- 53 ft
- Total Area
- 36.6 sq mi
- Land Area
- 25.3 sq mi
- Water Area
- 11.3 sq mi
- Latitude
- 34.196411
- Longitude
- -119.170898
- Climate
- Mild Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, relatively wet winters.
- Notable Features
- Santa Clara River · Oxnard Plain · Channel Islands Harbor · Beaches · Dunes · Wetlands
- Neighboring Areas
- Ventura · Camarillo · Port Hueneme
- Population (2020)
- 202,063
- Est. Population (2024)
- 200,928
- Median Age
- 34.4
- Median Income
- $96,212
- Poverty Rate
- 11%
- Owner-Occupied
- 54.4%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- Predominantly Hispanic, with significant White and Asian populations.
- Government Type
- Council-Manager
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 5 members
- School District
- Oxnard School District, Oxnard Union High School District
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Library


















































- Unemployment Rate
- 7.6%
- Economic Profile
- Residential · Suburban · Commercial · Industrial · Agricultural
- Employment Sectors
- Agriculture · Health Care & Social Assistance · Manufacturing · Construction · Technical/Scientific Professional Services · Leisure and Hospitality
- Major Employers
- Haas Automation · Seminis
- Students
- 13,399
- Teachers
- 700
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- School Districts
- Oxnard School District · Oxnard Union High School District
- Colleges & Universities
- Oxnard College · California State University Channel Islands · California Lutheran University
- Transportation
- US Highway 101 · California State Route 1 · Amtrak · Union Pacific · Metrolink · Greyhound · Oxnard Airport (OXR)
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Municipal power · Fiber/broadband
- Major Facilities
- St. John's Regional Medical Center · Oxnard Airport (OXR) · Channel Islands Harbor
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Channel Islands National Park · Oxnard State Beach Park · Mandalay State Beach · Silver Strand Beach · Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area · Point Mugu State Park · Leo Carrillo State Park
- Parks & Trails
- City parks · Coastal trails
- Founded
- 1898
- Incorporated
- 1903
- Named After
- Henry T. Oxnard
- Historical Significance
- Developed around a sugar beet factory and became a major agricultural center. Served as a strategic location for naval bases during World War II, leading to growth in aerospace and communications industries.
- Key Events
- Chumash Native American settlement · Spanish exploration in 1542 · Establishment of Mission San Buenaventura in 1782 · Construction of sugar beet factory in 1898 · Incorporation of Oxnard in 1903
