Oxnard, California is the most populous of the ten incorporated cities in Ventura County. The City of Oxnard has a population of over 200,000 residents. Oxnard is located roughly halfway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Oxnard is situated on a coastal plain with fertile soil. Oxnard is separated from the City of Ventura by the Santa Clara River, one of the largest river systems in Southern California.
Jobs and BusinessIn 2019, labor force participation in Oxnard was 68%. Oxnard has more jobs than any other city in Ventura County.
The Collection at Riverpark is a large retail shopping and office center in the northern portion of the city. The Collection at Riverpark is a significant source of employment.
Oxnard is the home of the California Strawberry Festival, an annual two-day festival. Nearly 60,000 visitors attend the festival, which has an economic impact of at least $7.5 million.
Oxnard College is a public community college encompassing 118 acres. The first classes on the campus were offered in 1975. Oxnard College has a faculty and staff of over 300 and a student population of nearly 7,000.
Downtown Oxnard is a vibrant district with over 40 restaurants. Downtown Oxnard also has a weekly farmers market.
The California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers’ Compensation, which monitors the administration of, and provides judicial services for, work-related injuries, has a district office in Oxnard.
Hueneme is a native Chumash word that translates to “half-way place.” The nearby Port of Hueneme is the largest commercial seaport and the only deep water harbor between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Port of Hueneme is a major driver of the area economy, generating $1.1 billion in economic activity and providing over 10,000 trade-related jobs. Port of Hueneme has the advantage of being less congested than other major California ports such as Los Angeles and Long Beach. The port connects to short and long haul rail transportation. The port is a major delivery point for automobiles, liquid fertilizer, and fruit. The Port of Hueneme is owned and operated by the Oxnard Harbor District. The Oxnard Harbor District, which includes the City of Oxnard, is the beneficiary of a Federal Trade Zone.
Oxnard Airport, owned by Ventura County, is a regional public airport covering about 230 acres. The airport is home to about 140 aircraft. Oxnard Airport supports over 300 jobs and contributes to payrolls for workers that exceed $19 million. On average more than 200 operations by aircraft take place daily at Oxnard Airport. The airport has received funding for a rehabilitation project.
Channel Islands Harbor is one of the largest small-craft harbors in California.
Naval Base Ventura County is comprised of three operating facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, and San Nicolas Island. The base supports over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, including over 11,000 jobs for military, civilian, and contractor personnel residing in Ventura County. Naval Base Ventura County generates an estimated $2 billion in economic activity within Ventura County.
Nearby California State University Channel Islands, which has at least 6,700 students and over 750 employees, helps drive the local economy. California State University Channel Islands covers more than 800 acres.
The City of Oxnard Grant and Loan Program aims to help Oxnard-based small businesses. All services are to be in both English and Spanish.
Strawberries are the area’s main crop. Other important area crops include lemons, nursery stock, avocados, raspberries, and celery.
The Dallas Cowboys have an annual training camp in Oxnard, which is estimated to generate at least $3.5 million for the area.
HistoryThe area was first settled well over 10,000 years ago. The earliest inhabitants of the Oxnard area were the Chumash people, who are known for their plank canoes, basketry, and cave paintings. Spain later established Mission San Buenaventura in the area. After Mexico gained independence from Spain, expansive ranchos dominated the landscape. The economy in the late 1880s was built around the sugar beet business. Many thousands of acres were planted with sugar beets. At the end of the 19th century, Henry Oxnard and his brothers built a sugar beet factory in the area to process the local production. Oxnard was incorporated as a general law city in 1903 as a mainly an agricultural community. Area agriculture diversified (including the growing of strawberries and lima beans) while continuing to be the major area industry for several more decades. In the 1920s, a stretch of the beach in Oxnard was touted as “Hollywood by the Sea.”
During World War II a military base was established at Port Hueneme, and later at Point Magu. The establishment of the bases gave rise to several industries, which have contributed to the city’s growth in the post-war era.
Points of InterestLocated in Downtown Oxnard, the Henry T. Oxnard Historic District encompasses about 70 acres and includes over 130 historic houses, a majority of which were built before 1925.
Oxnard operates over 50 park facilities.
Heritage Square in Downtown Oxnard hosts a summer concert series and offers tours of several Victorian homes. Heritage Square also houses a restaurant and visitor center/gift shop.
The Mullin Automotive Museum features automobiles from the Art Deco and Machine Age eras (mainly the early twentieth century). One of the exhibits, “L’Epoque des Carrossiers,” features about 30 French-made, elegantly designed automobiles.
The Murphy Auto Museum features a collection of nearly 50 American-made cars.
The Carnegie Art Museum Cornerstones is housed in Oxnard’s first library, which was built in 1906.
The Oxnard Performing Arts Center presents theater, dance, music, and other events.
Channel Islands Maritime Museum includes ship models and seascape paintings from 1600 to 1850 among its permanent collections.
Oxnard is known as the gateway to the Channel Islands, an eight-island archipelago. Five of the islands are included in the Channel Islands National Park: Anacapa Island; Santa Cruz Island; the particularly windy San Miguel Island; Santa Barbara Island; and Santa Rosa Island.
Contact UsThe attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC practice employment law and represent workers throughout the City of Oxnard and neighboring communities such as Port Hueneme, Camarillo, and Saticoy. We represent workers concerning a variety of Wrongful Termination claims, including Discrimination and Retaliation claims. We also represent workers concerning Wage and Hour claims. If your employer or former employer has violated your rights, call the experienced employment attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC or Contact Us via our online form.