Oxnard is the 20th largest city in California. It was incorporated in 1903. The city is home to 170,000 inhabitants. The metropolitan area including Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura has a population of about 800,000 people. Oxnard is located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, 45 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
In 1542 Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo claimed the area that is now Oxnard for Spain. About 50,000 Chumash Indians were already living in the surrounding area, taking advantage of the fertile soil and agriculturally conducive climate. The Oxnard area is now a major producer of strawberries and lima beans. Around 1900 a railroad was built to service a sugar beat refinery, providing access to the city which greatly expanded the population.
Oxnard is home to the Port of Hueneme, the only deep water port between Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay. It is a major shipping point for automobiles and agriculture products. It is also home to the U.S. Navy's Seabees. Some of the largest industries in the area are the military, agriculture, health insurance, electronics, and electronic media duplicating.
On average, rainfall totals 15.6 inches per year. Temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit occur on only about 3 days of the year. The August average daily high is a pleasant 73.9 degrees Fahrenheit while the average daily low in that month is 60.0 degrees. January averages 65.6 degrees Fahrenheit for a daily high and 45.5 for a daily low.
Leisure Activities
Local attractions include:
The Carnegie Art Museum The Gull Wings Children's Museum The Elite Theatre Company The Oxnard Independent Film Festival The California Strawberry Festival The Otis Chandler Vintage Museum Heritage Square The Henry T. Oxnard Historic District The Seabee Museum Many entertainment opportunities in nearby Los Angeles The professional and college sports teams in greater Los Angeles
The population of Oxnard is approximately 160,035 (2000).
The approximate number of families is 41,247 (1990).
The amount of land area in Oxnard is 63.302 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 28.642 sq kilometers.
The distance from Oxnard to Washington DC is 2483 miles. The distance to the California state capital is 324 miles. (as the crow flies)
Oxnard is positioned 34.19 degrees north of the equator and 119.21 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Oxnard elevation is 52 feet above sea level.