55-851: Channel Islands Harbor is a small craft harbor and shore-protection project in Oxnard, California at the southern end of the Santa Barbara Channel . It is the fifth largest harbor for small-craft recreation in the state of California and is a waterfront resort, recreation, and dining marketplace. Recreational activities include diving , boat charters , sea kayaking , sportfishing , and whale watching ( gray whales January through early April; blue and humpback whales July to September). The horseshoe shaped harbor contains 166 acres (0.67 km) of water surrounded by 126 acres (0.51 km) of land and supports more than 2,500 vessels, four yacht clubs, and nine full-service marinas. The Channel Islands are
110-489: A US state in 1850. At about the same time, the area was settled by American farmers, who cultivated barley and lima beans. Henry T. Oxnard , founder of Moorhead, Minnesota -based American Crystal Sugar Company who operated a successful sugar beet factory with his three brothers (Benjamin, James, and Robert) in Chino, California , was enticed to build a $ 2 million factory on the plain inland from Port Hueneme . Shortly after
165-569: A city excessively burdened by multiple sources of pollution. Two of the power plants use ocean water cooling. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has categorized much of Oxnard in the top 10 percent of ZIP codes most negatively impacted by pollution in the state. In May 2015, the Oxnard City Council unanimously voted to extend the city moratorium on power plant construction. This moratorium extension occurred due to NRG/Southern California Edison's proposal, also called
220-527: A favorable climate, is considered one of the most fertile areas in the world." In 1995, SOAR (Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources) was initiated by farmers, ranchers, and citizens of Ventura County to keep land in the Oxnard Plain from development. The Oxnard Plain is well known for its strawberries . According to the USDA , Oxnard is California's largest strawberry producer, supplying about one-third of
275-423: A female householder with no husband present, 4,043 (8.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 3,316 (6.7%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships and 395 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 7,090 households (14.2%) were individuals, and 2,665 (5.4%) had someone who was 65 or older living alone. The average household size was 3.95. There were 39,996 families (80.3% of all households);
330-467: A household in the city was $ 48,603, and the median income for a family was $ 49,150. Males had a median income of $ 30,643 versus $ 25,381 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 15,288. About 11.4% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over. The economy of Oxnard includes defense , international trade , agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Oxnard
385-470: A large swath of agricultural land is fully developed into a business park by late 2021, it is estimated that up to 8,700 jobs will be created in the area. An Amazon fulfillment center opened in 2022 that serves Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo counties. "The areas studied showed a high percentage of Group I soils, primarily located on the relatively flat Oxnard Plain . The Oxnard Plain , because of these high-quality agricultural soils, coupled with
440-804: A majority-Latino city, the Ku Klux Klan , which historically had a weak presence in Ventura County, unsuccessfully tried to form a chapter in Oxnard . In June 2004, the Oxnard Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff imposed a gang injunction over a 6.6-square-mile (17 km ) area of the central district of the city , to restrict gang activity. The injunction was upheld in the Ventura County Superior Court and made
495-567: A minimum of 600 feet (180 m) from schools or daycare centers. A special-use permit was approved for a retail store in an Oxnard Shores neighborhood shopping center in February 2022 amidst organized opposition from the neighborhood. The first dispensary in the city opened in the downtown area in December 2022. Oxnard cultural institutions include the Carnegie Art Museum , founded in 1907 as
550-576: A permanent law in 2005. A similar injunction was imposed in September 2006 over a 4.26-square-mile (11.0 km ) area of the south side of the city. Prohibited activities include associating with other known gang members, witness intimidation , possessing firearms or using gang gestures . Since then, court decisions have made adding people to the civil orders more stringent, stemming from lawsuits in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Judges determined that it
605-514: A popular destination. Island Packers operates a ferry service out of the harbor that accesses Anacapa Island . The Ventura County Maritime Museum has a regularly rotating exhibit, maritime-themed art, and model ships. Every three years the harbor is host to the Channel Islands Tall Ships Festival which includes between two and five large sailing vessels and draws thousands of visitors. The US Army Corps of Engineers formed
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#1732852533922660-455: A population of Chinese, Japanese, and Mexican laborers and enough commerce to merit the designation of a town. The Oxnard brothers, who never lived in their namesake city, sold the Chino and the giant red-brick Oxnard factory in 1899 for nearly $ 4 million. The Oxnard factory, with its landmark twin smokestacks, operated from August 19, 1899, until October 26, 1959. Factory operations were interrupted in
715-609: A small regional airport, Oxnard Airport (OXR). The town also has significant connections to the nearby oil fields Oxnard Oil Field and the West Montalvo Oil Field . The high density of oil, industry, and agricultural activities around the city, has led to several environmental issues . Oxnard's population was 202,063 in 2020, and is largely Latino. It is the most populous city in the Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area . Before
770-399: Is a combination of neighborhoods and urban development focused on the downtown, coastline, and harbor areas. The city's main land uses are industrial, residential, commercial, and open space. One and two-story buildings characterize the city. The two tallest buildings in the county are in the northern part of the city at Topa Financial Plaza. The fourteen-floor high-rise was built in 1973, and
825-627: Is a manufacturing center in the Greater Los Angeles Area . The Port of Hueneme is the only deep-harbor commercial port between Los Angeles and San Francisco and moves trade within the Pacific Rim economies. Companies utilizing the Port include Del Monte Foods , Chiquita , BMW , Land Rover , and Jaguar . Other industries include finance, transportation, the high tech industry, and energy, particularly petroleum. Two large active oil fields underlie
880-805: Is a well-known birding area. The beach historically contained marshes, salt flats, sloughs, and lagoons, but surrounding agriculture and industry have drained, filled, and degraded the beach and wetlands. A dune-transition zone-marsh system is still along much of the beach. The 2010 United States Census reported that Oxnard had a population of 197,899. The population density was 7,358 inhabitants per square mile (2,841/km ). The racial makeup of Oxnard included 95,346 (48.2%) White , 5,771 (2.9%) African American , 2,953 (1.5%) Native American , 14,550 (7.4%) Asian , 658 (0.3%) Pacific Islander , 69,527 (35.1%) from other races , and 9,094 (4.6%) from two or more races. In addition, 145,551 people (73.5%) were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Non-Hispanic Whites were 14.9% of
935-581: Is expended here and in Watsonville and Salinas . Economically significant insects include the Greenhouse Whitefly ( Trialeurodes vaporariorum ). In 2018, 80% of the voters approved a cannabis tax. The city council adopted a "go slow" approach upon the legalization of recreational cannabis in California. Companies must be licensed by the local agency and the state to grow, test, or sell cannabis and
990-687: Is home to the Petit Playhouse and the Elite Theatre Company. The Oxnard Performing Arts and Convention Center is home to the New West Symphony . The Gottfried Maulhardt/Albert Pfeiler Farm site is an historic farm park. Oxnard also has the Oxnard Independent Film Festival and the annual Channel Islands Tall Ships Festival. The Herzog Winery is based in Oxnard along with other wine tasting rooms. During late July,
1045-683: Is on a tectonically active plate since most of Coastal California is near the boundaries between the Pacific and North American Plates. The San Andreas Fault , which demarcates this boundary, is about 40 miles away. One active fault that transverses Oxnard is the Oak Ridge Fault , which straddles the Santa Clara River Valley westward from the Santa Susana Mountains , crosses the Oxnard Plain through Oxnard, and extends into
1100-537: The 22nd-most-populous city in California. Incorporated in 1903, Oxnard lies approximately 60 miles (97 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles . It is at the western edge of the fertile Oxnard Plain , adjacent to agricultural fields with strawberries, lima beans and other vegetable crops. Oxnard is also a major transportation hub in Southern California , with Amtrak , Union Pacific , Metrolink , Greyhound , and Intercalifornias stopping there. It also has
1155-515: The Oxnard Strike of 1903 . Oxnard was incorporated as a California city on June 30, 1903, and the public library was opened in 1907. Before and during World War II, the naval bases of Point Mugu and Port Hueneme were established in the area to take advantage of the only major navigable port on California's coast between the Port of Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay , and the bases in turn encouraged
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#17328525339221210-521: The Santa Barbara Channel . The coastline is subject to inundation by a tsunami up to 23 feet in height. The fault has significantly contributed to seismic activity in the Oxnard region and beyond. The January 17, 1994, 6.7 M w Northridge earthquake is believed to have occurred in the Santa Clarita extension of the Oak Ridge Fault. Landslides and ridge-top shattering resulting from
1265-810: The Wagon Wheel Junction in 1947 (demolished 2011). He was also involved in the development of the high-rise towers at the Topa Financial Plaza, the Channel Islands Harbor, Casa Sirena Resort, the Esplanade Shopping Mall, Fisherman's Wharf, the Carriage Square Shopping Center, the Maritime Museum, and many other hotel, restaurant and retail projects. In the late 1970s, as the demographic shifted towards becoming
1320-567: The 1897 beet campaign, a new town emerged, now commemorated on the National Register of Historic Places as the Henry T. Oxnard Historic District . Oxnard intended to name the settlement after the Greek word for "sugar", zachari , but frustrated by bureaucracy, named it after himself. Given the potential growth of Oxnard, in the spring of 1898, a railroad station was built to service the plant, attracting
1375-504: The 1980s and 90s. On February 4, 2016, the Los Angeles Rams (an NFL team) selected Oxnard to be the site of their official team activities and minicamp. On February 19, 2016, the city of Oxnard and the Rams reached a tentative agreement to host official team activities and minicamps at River Ridge Playing Fields. On February 23, 2016, the Oxnard City Council voted unanimously 5–0 to allow
1430-468: The 2000s. The development consists of single-family homes and townhouses with reinforced concrete bulkheads lining a series of short navigable canal-like waterways. Between 1950 and 1981 Mandalay Bay was a permitted oil field waste disposal site which caused the release of numerous hazardous chemicals. The records of what was dumped were subsequently lost, resulting in calls for an investigation and millions of dollars in lawsuits from home buyers who were told
1485-569: The 21-floor high-rise was built in 1986. The city is surrounded by agricultural land and the Pacific Ocean, as well as the Santa Clara River . The city's primary development lies along Highway 101 and the other main roads. The Henry T. Oxnard Historic District is a 70-acre (28 ha) historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Oxnard. Covering approximately F and G Sts., between Palm and 5th Sts., in
1540-537: The Los Angeles Rams to use the River Ridge Playing Fields facility from April 18 to June 17 and the locker room space from March 28 until June 24. River Ridge Golf Course has two 18-hole courses flanked by housing developments. Oxnard lies within the 26th congressional district , which is represented by Democrat Julia Brownley . List of largest California cities by population This
1595-566: The Northridge earthquake were observed above Moorpark , a city 19.6 mi (31.5 km) east of Oxnard. Oxnard is the location of the National Weather Service forecast office that serves the Los Angeles area. The city is situated in a Mediterranean (dry subtropical ) climate zone, experiencing mild and relatively wet winters, and warm, dry summers, in a climate called the warm-summer Mediterranean climate . Onshore breezes keep
1650-730: The Oxnard Public Library by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie ; the Chandler Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife , founded by the late Los Angeles Times publisher Otis Chandler , and the Channel Islands Maritime Museum . The Henry T. Oxnard Historic District is adjacent to the commercial downtown area and dates back to the founding of the city. Heritage Square in downtown is a collection of restored Victorian and Craftsman houses that Oxnard's pioneer ranching families once owned. Heritage Square
1705-484: The Puente Power Project, to construct a new fossil-fuel power plant. The following day, an NRG representative stated their case to replace the old power generation plant at Mandalay Beach with a new, hi-tech, much cleaner, and more efficient plant. Pesticides are used in the agricultural fields surrounding Oxnard, as the area is one of the nation's leading strawberry producers, with agriculture being one of
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1760-450: The State's annual strawberry volume. From the end of September through the end of October, strawberries are planted and harvesting occurs from mid-December through mid-July in Oxnard. The peak harvesting season in California runs from April through June when up to 10 million pint baskets of strawberries are shipped daily. The state of California supplies over 85 percent of U.S. strawberries, with
1815-400: The U.S. supplying a quarter of total world production of strawberries. The annual California Strawberry Festival features vendors as well as food items based on the fruit such as strawberry nachos, strawberry pizza, strawberry funnel cake, strawberry sundaes, and strawberry champagne. Pests that attack this crop are economically impactful in this town. Much of the research and effort
1870-596: The annual Salsa Festival is held in downtown Oxnard, featuring a salsa tasting tent, local bands, a large dance floor, local vendors, as well as many salsa based food vendors. The Dallas Cowboys currently hold their pre-season training camp at River Ridge Field in Oxnard. They also trained in Oxnard in 2001, 2004–06, 2008–10 and 2012–16 (the Cowboys trained at California Lutheran University in nearby Thousand Oaks in 1963–89). The New Orleans Saints trained in Oxnard in 2011. The Los Angeles Raiders trained at River Ridge in
1925-465: The area was safe for habitation. The Channel Islands Boating Center opened in 2013. Great blue herons and white egrets nest in trees around the harbor. Oxnard, California Oxnard ( / ˈ ɒ k s n ɑːr d / ) is a city in Ventura County in the U.S. state of California , United States. On California's Central Coast , it is the most populous city in Ventura County and
1980-424: The arrival of Europeans, the area was inhabited by Chumash Native Americans. The first European to encounter the area was explorer João Rodrigues Cabrilho , who claimed it for Spain in 1542. During the mission period , Mission San Buenaventura , established in 1782, used the area for raising cattle. Ranching began to take hold among Californio settlers, who lost their regional influence when California became
2035-652: The average family size was 4.20. The population was spread out, with 59,018 people (29.8%) under the age of 18, 23,913 people (12.1%) aged 18 to 24, 57,966 people (29.3%) aged 25 to 44, 40,584 people (20.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 16,418 people (8.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.4 males. There were 52,772 housing units at an average density of 1,962 units per square mile (758 units/km ), of which 27,760 (55.7%) were owner-occupied, and 22,037 (44.3%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate
2090-720: The city and adjacent areas: the Oxnard Oil Field , east of the city along 5th Street, and the West Montalvo Oil Field along the coast to the west of town. Tenby Inc.'s Oxnard Refinery, on 5th Street east of Del Norte Avenue, processes oil from both fields. According to the city's 2024/25 Budget, the top employers in the city are: Some of the major companies headquartered in Oxnard are Haas Automation, Seminis , Raypak, Drum Workshop , Borla Performance, Boss Audio , Seed Beauty , and Robbins Auto Tops Procter & Gamble and Sysco maintain their West Coast operations in Oxnard. In October 2020, city officials announced that once
2145-405: The city limits to make way for agriculture and urban and industrial development. Also native to the region is the endangered Ventura Marsh Milkvetch , and the last self-sustaining population is in Oxnard in the center of an approved housing development. The Santa Clara River separates Oxnard and Ventura. Tributaries to this river include Sespe Creek , Piru Creek , and Castaic Creek . Oxnard
2200-777: The city limits to make way for development. Also native to the region is the endangered Ventura Marsh Milkvetch , with the last self-sustaining population in Oxnard being at the center of a housing development. The balance of wildlife in Oxnard is similar to most places in southern California, with small mammals being common in urbanized areas, like squirrels, raccoons, and skunks. Coyotes prey on these smaller mammals. Small birds and mammals can be food for stray, feral, and pet dogs and cats. Oxnard has more coastal power plants than any other city in California, with three fossil-fuel power plants providing energy for cities in both Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has identified Oxnard as
2255-502: The city may authorize none or only some of these activities. Local governments may not prohibit adults who comply with state laws from growing, using, or transporting marijuana for personal use. After an initial ban, businesses focusing on manufacturing, testing, and distributing cannabis were allowed to apply for a permit to operate in July 2019. An initial process in May 2020 to select retail proposals
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2310-539: The city was 42.1% White , 3.8% African American , 1.3% Native American , 7.4% Asian , 0.4% Pacific Islander , 40.4% from other races , and 4.7% from two or more races. Two-thirds of the population (66.2%) was Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 43,576 households, of which 46.1% had children under 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.8% were non-families. 14.6% of all households comprised individuals, and 5.6% had someone who
2365-473: The city, the district includes 139 contributing buildings and includes homes mostly built before 1925. It contains abundant Craftsman architecturelCraftsmanand Revival architecture. Ormond Beach is a beach along the Oxnard coast. The beach, which stretches for two miles, adjoins the Ormond Wetlands, some farmland, and power plant remains. It covers the area in between Points Hueneme and Mugu and
2420-648: The communities of Oxnard cooler in summer and warmer in winter than those further inland. The average mean temperature is 61 °F (16 °C). The average minimum temperature is 52 °F (11 °C) and the average maximum temperature is 69 °F (21 °C). Generally, the weather is mild and dry, with around 300 days of sunshine annually. The average annual precipitation is 15.62 in (397 mm). The area contains several critical biological communities. Native plant communities include coastal sage scrub , California Annual Grassland, and Coastal Dune Scrub species; most native plants have been eliminated from within
2475-466: The county and city had expired, the city stopped keeping up the parks, parking lots and restrooms in public areas in 2018. They also were no longer going to pay the water bills for these facilities. Oxnard harbor residents also elected to end payments to harbor patrol which ended an annual revenue stream. The Mandalay Generating Station closed in 2018 which circulated water as part of the power plant's cooling process. Ventura County Harbor Department patrols
2530-486: The development of the defense-based aerospace and communications industries. In the mid-20th century, Oxnard grew and developed the areas outside the downtown area, including homes, industry, retail, and a new harbor named Channel Islands Harbor . Martin V. ("Bud") Smith (1916–2001) became an influential developer. Smith's first enterprise in 1941 was the Colonial House Restaurant (demolished 1988) and then
2585-435: The harbor in 1960 by scooping out sand dunes and wetlands at the edge of Oxnard Plain and depositing the surplus sand at the nearby beaches of Port Hueneme . The sand trap at the harbor entrance was designed to retain sand that otherwise might be diverted into the ocean due to the impacts of the construction of the Port of Hueneme . The sand was to be regularly dredged and placed on Hueneme Beach which suffers erosion due to
2640-527: The main harbor which is south of the Channel Islands Boulevard bridges. The city of Oxnard maintains the northern neighborhood waterways. The harbor is part of Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program. The harbor waters connect to the north with Mandalay Bay, a residential waterfront development built in 1972 consisting of over 700 boat dock homes. Additional developments expanded the Harbor in
2695-433: The population in 2010, compared to 42.6% in 1980. The Census reported that 196,465 people (99.3% of the population) lived in households, 932 (0.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 502 (0.3%) were institutionalized. There were 49,797 households, out of which 25,794 (51.8%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 28,319 (56.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 7,634 (15.3%) had
2750-518: The port blocking the littoral drift of sand. While the County of Ventura arranged to oversee the harbor and manage it in 1963, they formed an agreement with the City of Oxnard to annex the then vacant county land and provide sewage service, water and utilities. The city built the infrastructure and under the agreement began to receive sales, property and lodging tax revenues. After the annexation agreement between
2805-607: The top contributors to Oxnard's economy. Strawberries depend on large applications of fumigants containing pesticides. The Center for Health Journalism reported four ZIP codes with the highest pesticide use in the state clustered around Oxnard. The historical architectural styles of Oxnard ranch family homes are Victorian era, Italian style, and Carpenter Gothic . In the Henry T. Oxnard Historic District , there are five Prairie School and eight Tudor Revival homes. The district includes Mission/Spanish Revival , Bungalow/craftsman , Colonial Revival , and other architecture. Oxnard
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#17328525339222860-500: Was 1.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.7%. 107,482 people (54.3% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units, and 88,983 (45.0%) lived in rental housing units. As of the census of 2000, there were 170,358 people, 43,576 households, and 34,947 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,729.7 inhabitants per square mile (2,598.4/km ). There were 45,166 housing units at an average density of 1,784.2 units per square mile (688.9 units/km ). The racial makeup of
2915-439: Was 65 or older living alone. The average household size was 3.85 and the average family size was 4.16 In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.8% under 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males. The median income for
2970-399: Was challenged by unsuccessful applicants. After revising the city ordinance, the council decided in September 2020 to allow ten retail licences to be issued. A social equity component to maximize the ability for communities of color to benefit from the new industry as owners and investors and managers and employees as allowed by state law was not included. The city requires dispensaries to be
3025-713: Was unconstitutional for people to be added to a gang injunction without a due process hearing. As a result of budget cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the Oxnard police stopped maintaining and enforcing the injunction in 2020. Oxnard is located on the Oxnard Plain, an area with fertile soil. With its beaches, dunes, wetlands, creeks, and the Santa Clara River , the area contains several critical biological communities. Native plant communities include: coastal sage scrub , California Annual Grassland, and Coastal Dune Scrub species; however, most native plants have been eliminated from within
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