For decades, Ventura County has been admired for its beaches, mountains, and relaxed coastal charm — a beautiful stretch of Southern California that offered a quieter alternative to the pace of Los Angeles. But beneath that calm surface, something remarkable has been happening. Over the last several years, Ventura County’s economy has been undergoing a subtle but powerful transformation, and the impact of that shift is shaping one of the strongest and most interesting real estate markets in the state.
Today, buyers aren’t moving here simply because Ventura County is beautiful — they’re moving here because it’s economically rising. And they’re not the only ones paying attention.
At Realty ONE Group Summit, we’ve experienced this shift up close. Each month, more buyers from Los Angeles, Orange County, the Bay Area, and out-of-state relocation markets are discovering Ventura County not only as a lifestyle upgrade, but as a smarter long-term financial choice. To understand why, you have to look at what’s happening behind the scenes.
Ventura County’s economic story used to revolve around agriculture, the naval base, and the industries that supported them. While those sectors still play a major role — especially in places like Oxnard, Camarillo, and Santa Paula — the economy has diversified far beyond its roots. Thousand Oaks has become a biotech powerhouse anchored by Amgen, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Their presence has created a ripple effect, attracting high-income talent, research professionals, and corporate expansion that has strengthened the entire Conejo Valley.
External link: https://www.amgen.com/
Ventura and Ojai tell a different economic story — one powered by tourism, hospitality, and the region’s cultural identity. The Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau reports millions of travelers each year seeking everything from surf weekends to wellness retreats, and this influx has fueled demand for vacation rentals, boutique hotels, and second homes. It’s a tourism economy built not just on beaches, but on authentic local experiences, food, art, hiking, and outdoor recreation.
External link: https://visitventuraca.com/
Camarillo, Santa Paula, and Moorpark contribute to Ventura County’s strength in another way — agriculture. This region remains one of California’s most productive farming zones, supplying strawberries, citrus, and leafy greens across the state. The agricultural backbone provides stable employment, supports local businesses, and shapes the rural-suburban lifestyle that attracts homeowners seeking larger lots, equestrian properties, and homes with land.
External link: https://www.ventura.org/agricultural-commissioner/
But the quiet economic force reshaping Ventura County more than any other is remote work. According to the U.S. Census and Pew Research Center, the percentage of Americans working remotely has stabilized at roughly one-third of the workforce — a number far higher than before the pandemic. This shift has created a new migration pattern into Ventura County.
External links:
https://www.census.gov/
https://www.pewresearch.org/
People who once felt tied to Los Angeles for their careers are now choosing where they live based on quality of life rather than commute. Ventura County offers exactly what today’s “work-from-anywhere” professionals want: coastal environments, less congestion, access to trails and outdoor spaces, top-performing school districts, and homes that feel spacious enough to support both life and work. Neighborhoods in Ventura, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, and Ojai have all seen an influx of buyers who no longer feel forced to live in major cities to be employed by them.
Population trends support this shift. While Los Angeles County continues to experience high outward migration, Ventura County has seen slow but steady population growth driven by families with young children, hybrid workers, retirees seeking lower-cost coastal living, and buyers purchasing second homes. The Public Policy Institute of California highlights Ventura as one of the few coastal regions gaining population due to preference-based relocation — people choosing Ventura intentionally, not moving here as a last resort.
External link: https://www.ppic.org/
This evolving population aligns perfectly with today’s strongest housing market indicators. Real estate remains deeply influenced by school quality, job stability, lifestyle amenities, and investment potential — all categories where Ventura County is outperforming expectations. Homes near economic hubs like Thousand Oaks consistently see strong appreciation, while Ventura’s coastal neighborhoods remain some of the most desirable in Southern California.
The data reflects this confidence. According to Redfin, the median home price in Ventura is around $1.03M, while Camarillo sits near $906K. Zillow reports Thousand Oaks at approximately $1.07M. These values represent not just the cost of living along the coast, but the durability of a market supported by diverse income sources and long-term economic stability.
External sources:
https://www.redfin.com
https://www.zillow.com
For buyers, this means Ventura County remains a powerful place to build long-term equity. For sellers, it means pricing and presentation matter — but demand coming from L.A., O.C., and Silicon Valley ensures the right homes still attract strong offers. For investors, it means areas with expanding job sectors and lifestyle appeal — Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks — are positioned for continued growth.
Ventura County’s economy is no longer the hidden factor behind the housing market; it’s the engine pushing it forward. And as more buyers discover this blend of affordability, opportunity, and coastal lifestyle, the region’s real estate market will only continue to strengthen.
If you’re considering buying, selling, or investing in Ventura County, our team at Realty ONE Group Summit is here to help you understand not just the market conditions, but the economic forces shaping them.
Start your Ventura County home search today:
👉 https://rogsummit.com/contact/
