My Analysis of the Central Coast and Southern California: (Part 5: Ventura County)

This is the last of the Central Coast part of my series. I am not as familiar with this part of California as I am with the L.A. and San Diego urban areas, so my analyses of this area aren’t as detailed.

Ventura County

Demographics (2019): 45.8% Non-Hispanic White, 42.4% Hispanic, 7.3% Asian, 1.7% Black

Population (2010): 823,318

Growth rate: Moderate (13% since 2000)

President: 51.2% R / 47.5% D (2004); 55.0% D / 42.8% R (2008); 52.2% D / 45.2% R (2012); 54.6% D / 37.2% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $59,666

% Bachelor’s: 20.8%

The southernmost county of the Central Coast, and part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach Combined Statistical area, Ventura County was named after Mission San Buenaventura, which itself was named after Saint Bonaventure. The county is divided into East and West. West County has some of the county’s first developed cities, and the county’s largest beach communities near the Channel Islands Harbor. East County is in the western end of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Rapid growth in the Los Angeles area and development of the U.S. 101 Freeway (also known as the Ventura Freeway) in the mid-20th century resulted in population spillover from the San Fernando Valley into the Conejo and Simi Valleys, and eventually into the western part of the county.

As an historic white-majority suburban county in the Sun Belt, Ventura voted strongly Republican at the federal level until the late 2000s, and the state level until a little later.

Camarillo

Demographics (2019): 58.7% Non-Hispanic White, 25.6% Hispanic, 13.5% Asian, 3.0% Black

Population (2010): 65,201

President: 57.6% R / 41.3% D (2004); 49.8% R / 48.6% D (2008); 52.1% R / 45.8% D (2012); 48.9% D / 44.5% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $62,457

% Bachelor’s (2000): 26.1%

Camarillo grew very slowly from its founding in 1898 through World War II because few wanted to travel on the difficult road on the Conejo Grade, a steep incline in the Santa Monica Mountains. Little economic activity occurred here outside of agriculture, military, and a State Mental Hospital at this time. The Mental Hospital was built in the 1930s for people that had tuberculosis or a mental illness so they could recover in the pleasant climate. Jazz musician Charlie Parker was one of these patients.

When the Ventura Freeway was built in the mid-1950s, population growth greatly accelerated. Some of the first homebuyers were military veterans who had been stationed here and were drawn back because of the temperate climate. The semirural environment also drew commuters from the San Fernando Valley.

Fillmore

Demographics (2019): 77.4% Hispanic, 20.2% Non-Hispanic White, 1.8% Asian, 0.9% Black

Population (2010): 15,002

President: 50.0% D / 48.9% R (2004); 59.9% D / 38.4% R (2008); 59.2% D / 39.0% R (2012); 61.7% D / 33.0% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $45,510

% Bachelor’s (2000): 13.8%

Founded in an area with rich, fertile soil for agriculture, Fillmore’s economy is still dominated by agriculture.

Moorpark

Demographics (2019): 54.2% Non-Hispanic White, 31.8% Hispanic, 8.1% Asian, 1.6% Black

Population (2010): 34,421

President: 57.4% R / 41.6% D (2004); 50.7% D / 47.6% R (2008); 51.3% R / 46.8% D (2012); 50.9% D / 42.7% R (2016)

MHI (2007 estimate): $90,109

% Bachelor’s (2000): 27.3%

Moorpark was one of the fastest-growing cities in Ventura County.

Ojai

Demographics (2019): 79.6% Non-Hispanic White, 15.0% Hispanic, 4.6% Asian, 0.5% Black

Population (2010): 7,461

President: 60.8% D / 38.0% R (2004); 66.4% D / 31.7% R (2008); 62.9% D / 33.7% R (2012); 65.7% D / 27.5% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $44,593

% Bachelor’s (2000): 25.1%

Ojai began as a wintering town for wealthy people from further east and today is a tourist destination known for spiritual retreats. Because of the surrounding nature and influence of spirituality, the city’s nickname is “Shangri-La”. Chain stores are prohibited by local law to preserve the town’s identity.

Oxnard

Demographics (2019): 73.7% Hispanic, 14.8% Non-Hispanic White, 8.3% Asian, 3.4% Black

Population (2010): 197,899

President: 60.8% D / 38.1% R (2004); 69.7% D / 28.9% R (2008); 70.2% D / 27.9% R (2012); 72.3% D / 22.2% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $48,603

% Bachelor’s (2000): 12.3%

The largest city in Ventura County ended up being named by Moorhead, Minnesota founder Henry T. Oxnard, originally wanted to name the settlement Zachari, the Greek word for “sugar”. Frustrated with the bureaucracy, he ended up naming it after himself. Henry and his three brothers never lived in their namesake city.

Growth in the late 19th century drew Chinese, Japanese, and Mexican laborers. Later during World War II, the naval bases Point Mugu and Port Hueneme were established near the only deep-harbor port between the Port of Los Angeles and San Francisco. This paved the way for the growth of aerospace and communications industries.

The mid-20th century saw further development in Oxnard including the Channel Islands Harbor, Fisherman’s Wharf, and many other retail and hospitality projects. Agriculture, especially strawberries, also plays a big role in the local economy.

Port Hueneme

Demographics (2019): 59.4% Hispanic, 26.1% Non-Hispanic White, 5.9% Asian, 4.6% Black

Population (2010): 21,723

President: 54.5% D / 44.1% R (2004); 63.2% D / 34.6% R (2008); 65.4% D / 31.8% R (2012); 64.2% D / 29.1% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $42,246

% Bachelor’s (2000): 14.2%

Port Hueneme’s name came from the Spanish spelling of the Chumashan Ventureño phrase “wene me”, meaning “resting place”. The deep submarine canyon off Point Hueneme was taken advantage of to build the Wharf.

Santa Paula

Demographics (2019): 81.1% Hispanic, 16.0% Non-Hispanic White, 1.6% Asian, 0.2% Black

Population (2010): 29,321

President: 57.6% D / 40.8% R (2004); 64.6% D / 33.6% R (2008); 64.3% D / 33.5% R (2012); 67.6% D / 27.3% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $41,651

% Bachelor’s (2000): 8.7%

Santa Paula is in the Santa Clara River Valley, a fertile area full orchards. Its nickname is “Citrus Capital of the World”. It was also one of the first sites of California’s petroleum industry. The California Oil Museum is located here, in the building where the Union Oil Company of California was founded. Today, Occidental Petroleum continues to extract oil and provide employment in the area.

Simi Valley

Demographics (2019): 59.8% Non-Hispanic White, 26.3% Hispanic, 9.9% Asian, 1.2% Black

Population (2010): 124,237

President: 60.7% R / 38.1% D (2004); 51.5% R / 46.6% D (2008); 54.9% R / 42.8% D (2012); 49.0% R / 44.8% D (2016)

MHI (2007 estimate): $88,406

% Bachelor’s (2000): 22.3%

Simi Valley, having also been an agricultural area that gave way to suburban growth in the mid-20th century, is one of the more conservative cities in Ventura County (historically one of the most conservative cities in the country) and one of the only one in which Republicans have an advantage in voter registration. Famously, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is located here. The Library has hosted Republican presidential campaign debates and conservative speakers.

Infamously, Simi Valley is the site of the trials of four Los Angeles police officers who beat Rodney King. The trials had been moved to Simi Valley due to heavy media coverage of the trial. Three of the officers were acquitted and with the other they did not reach a verdict. This led to the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

Thousand Oaks

Demographics (2019): 67.9% Non-Hispanic White, 18.3% Hispanic, 9.6% Asian, 1.4% Black

Population (2010): 126,683

President: 55.3% R / 43.7% D (2004); 50.6% D / 47.8% R (2008); 51.7% R / 46.1% D (2012); 52.0% D / 42.3% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $121,088

% Bachelor’s (2000): 29.0%

Named after the many oak trees that populated the area, Thousand Oaks was originally built for working- and middle-class blue- and white-collar workers in the mid-20th century and is an upscale city with many college-educated residents. Anti-growth sentiment is widespread, and city priorities focus more on preserving the oak trees and planting more.

At the turn of the 20th century, Thousand Oaks was where a Norwegian community was, but not for very long because of the lack of medical staff and facilities. Norwegians were some of the first settlers in the Conejo Valley. Relics of their influence include California Lutheran University, the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation and the Scandinavian Festival. CLU’s Republican Club boasted the highest ratio of club members to students overall in California.

In addition to agriculture, the movie industry became a considerable part of the local economy in the 1920s and 1930s because of the efforts of Jungleland USA, a private zoo and animal theme park. Movies such as the famous Robin Hood and Tarzan, and the infamous Birth of a Nation were filmed there. Many celebrities relocated to the Conejo Valley including Bob Hope, Slim Pickens, and Dean Martin.

Jungleland USA was the most popular theme park in California in the 1940s and 1950s. Later, facing tough competition from Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Universal Studios, Jungleland USA declared bankruptcy and liquidated in 1969.

Ventura

Demographics (2019): 50.8% Non-Hispanic White, 39.7% Hispanic, 5.2% Asian, 2.4% Black

Population (2010): 106,433

President: 52.6% D / 45.9% R (2004); 60.0% D / 38.1% R (2008); 56.7% D / 40.5% R (2012); 58.3% D / 34.6% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $52,297

% Bachelor’s (2000): 37.0%

Ventura is officially known as the City of San Buenaventura, with the same namesake as the County of Ventura. Early on after the Civil War settlers from the east bought land here, like railroad magnate Thomas A. Scott, but the area remained isolated and quiet for most of the rest of the 19th century. Most local activity occurred in the Chinese community, China Alley, across the street from the Mission.

The turn of the 20th century brought oil development with the Union Oil Company in the Ventura Oil Field. The increased affordability of automobiles around this time, coupled with better roads resulted in a real estate and population boom. Improved accessibility from the south via the improvement of the Ventura Freeway brought further growth in the mid-20th century. Today Ventura’s relaxing atmosphere and recreational activities such as kayaking attract tourists.

Bell Canyon

Demographics (2019): 60.3% Non-Hispanic White, 23.2% Asian, 6.9% Hispanic, 2.2% Black

Population (2010): 2,049

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $202,475

% Bachelor’s (2000): 36.7%

Bell Canyon is the seventh-wealthiest community in the state and is home to celebrities such as Alyssa Milano and Marc Summers.

Casa Conejo

Demographics (2019): 62.5% Non-Hispanic White, 25.5% Hispanic, 5.4% Asian, 1.0% Black

Population (2010): 3,249

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $66,120

% Bachelor’s (2000): 28.8%

Voters in Casa Conejo (Spanish for “Rabbit House”) have rejected efforts to incorporate and remain as an unincorporated county island, surrounded by Newbury Park.

Channel Islands Beach

Demographics (2019): 78.3% Non-Hispanic White, 14.5% Hispanic, 1.5% Black, 1.4% Asian

Population (2010): 3,103

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $58,306

% Bachelor’s (2000): 30.4%

Channel Islands Beach is nicknamed “Hollywood by the Sea” for good reason. The local sand dunes were used in movies and land was subdivided to sell lots in the mid 1920s.

El Rio

Demographics (2019): 79.4% Hispanic, 16.4% Non-Hispanic White, 2.2% Black, 0.2% Asian

Population (2010): 7,198

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $50,273

% Bachelor’s (2000): 9.1%

El Rio was founded as New Jerusalem in 1875 by Prussian Jewish merchant Simon Cohn. It’s name was changed later to just Jerusalem, Elrio (one word), and finally, in 1905, El Rio (“the river” in Spanish), in reference to the nearby Santa Clara River.

Lake Sherwood

Demographics (2019): 86.3% Non-Hispanic White, 7.2% Hispanic, 0.8% Asian, 0.2% Black

Population (2010): 1,527

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $250,001

% Bachelor’s (2000): 39.0%

Lake Sherwood is predominantly residential, with residents doing business in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, or Agoura Hills. Located near many major movie ranches, many movies have been filmed here such as Robin Hood, Tarzan, Old Yeller, and Doctor Dolittle.

Many celebrities live in Lake Sherwood, including hockey player Wayne Gretzky, actor Sylvester Stallone, and singers Paul Anka and the late Tom Petty. William Randolph Hearst was one of the first celebrities to live here.

Meiners Oaks

Demographics (2019): 61.1% Non-Hispanic White, 17.8% Hispanic, 12.7% Black, 5.4% Asian

Population (2010): 3,571

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $51,811

% Bachelor’s (2000): 24.7%

Meiners Oaks was named after German brewer John Meiners, who also founded a ranch here.

Mira Monte

Demographics (2019): 73.7% Non-Hispanic White, 20.4% Hispanic, 1.4% Asian

Population (2010): 6,854

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $55,377

% Bachelor’s (2000): 16.4%

Mira Monte was long served by the Ventura and Ojai Valley Railroad.

Oak Park

Demographics (2019): 66.8% Non-Hispanic White, 18.1% Asian, 7.6% Hispanic, 1.2% Black

Population (2010): 14,266

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $106,921

% Bachelor’s (2000): 62.4%

Oak Park is the largest unincorporated community in the state, rejecting measures to incorporate and be annexed into Thousand Oaks. The community has also been a significant movie site, especially for westerns. Having been connected only by one road with Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County, they sometimes use Los Angeles County emergency services.

Oak View

Demographics (2019): 62.5% Non-Hispanic White, 34.4% Hispanic, 1.2% Asian

Population (2010): 4,066

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $56,786

% Bachelor’s (2000): 22.1%

Oak View was established as a bedroom community right after World War II, mainly for oil industry employees, and also is one of the only towns in Ventura County that has a downtown with stores and restaurants.

Piru

Demographics (2019): 84.7% Hispanic, 11.9% Non-Hispanic White, 2.7% Black, 0.2% Asian

Population (2010): 2,063

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $41,490

% Bachelor’s (2000): 7.2%

Piru was named after the Tataviam word for tule reeds used in making baskets. Lake Piru in the Los Padres National Forest is the biggest attraction in the community. Piru was founded by wealthy Illinois publisher David C. Cook, to build a “Second Garden of Eden”, including orchards that grow the fruits mentioned in that part of the Bible such as apricots, dates, grapes, and pomegranates.

Piru has the county’s highest percentage of farm workers and second-highest percentage of factory workers, as well as the lowest home prices and one of the lowest percentages in the county of residents with at least a bachelor’s degree.

Santa Rosa Valley

Demographics (2019): 83.1% Non-Hispanic White, 6.3% Asian, 3.1% Black, 2.5% Hispanic

Population (2010): 3,334

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $201,250

% Bachelor’s (2000): 35.6%

Most of the area is home to farms and wildlife especially mountain lions.

Santa Susana

Demographics (2019): 79.7% Non-Hispanic White, 15.6% Hispanic, 1.1% Asian, 0.2% Black

Population (2010): 1,037

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $70,844

% Bachelor’s (2000): 20.9%

Santa Susana started out as a railroad town and today is a highly rural community. The area in the late 1960s was home to the infamous Manson family, at Spahn’s Movie Ranch. Other ranches here were used in many movies (especially westerns) such as Gunsmoke, Star Trek, Three Musketeers and Superman.

Saticoy

Demographics (2019): 89.3% Hispanic, 9.4% Non-Hispanic White, 0.6% Black

Population (2010): 1,029

President: .% D / .% R (2004); .% D / .% R (2008); .% D / .% R (2012); .% D / .% R (2016)

MHI (2000): $44,770

% Bachelor’s (2000): 1.7%

Named after the Ventureño name, “it is sheltered from the wind”, Saticoy was built along a railroad and also had a predominantly agricultural economy, especially citrus, lima beans, and walnuts. Saticoy was home to a farm laborer camp in the 1930s. In the 1970s, the laborers wanted to demolish their rundown homes to build better ones. They actually did, with the help of advocate Rodney Fernandez, and formed the first cooperative housing group.