Why Ventura? Ventura offers...

A Smart Location

Ideally located along Southern California’s high-tech corridor, Ventura is home to major corporations and dozens of smaller but progressive entrepreneurial companies. Easy access to Los Angeles and the nearby deep-water port of Port Hueneme make Ventura a terrific choice for business.

Mileage Chart from Ventura to:

A Technological Future

The City of Ventura is accelerating its effort to capture a major share of the technology-driven economy. Touted as Southern California’s “high-tech corridor”  by Newsweek Magazine, the Highway 101 specific planning process will identify appropriate development sites for light manufacturing and research and development opportunities.  The City of Ventura operates the Ventura Ventures Technology Center, Ventura County's only high-tech business incubator, working to create high value, high wage jobs and diversify the local economy by attracting more high-tech companies to Ventura. 

An Unbeatable Quality of Life

Ventura is a great place to live and create. In 2008, Fortune Small Business listed Ventura as one of the “Best Places to Live and Launch a Business” due to its affordable housing prices, active outdoor lifestyle, helpful local government, and innovative business community. In 2010 CNN Money further highlighted Ventura by announcing it as one of eight cities in the nation that “wants your business.” In 2011, the City of Ventura and the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau beat 50 over cities to win the national “Arts Destination Marketing Award” from Americans for the Arts and the Destination Marketing Assocation International.  With affordable housing prices, a thriving arts community, and unique historic downtown, Ventura offers a spectacular coastal setting for your creative business.

This charming beach city offers a well-rounded business community where quality of life is the way of life.  View a short video on living and working in Ventura.

Demographics and Economic Profile

2010 Demographic Profile

• Population: 106,433

• Number of Households: 40,438

• Average Household Size: 2.57

• Median Household Income: $64,831

• Median Age: 37.9

• Per Capita Income: $31,178  

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census and 2005-2009 American Community Survey.

2009 Economic Profile

• Ventura's gross product was $8.8 billion.

• Retail taxable sales were $1.575 million.

• Total taxable sales were $1.883 million.

• Primary industry sectors included services, FIRE and government.  

Source: City of Ventura, UCSB Economic Forecast Project, Volume 8, June 2009

Labor Force

Comprised of over 82,000 people, Ventura's labor force is educated, skilled and readily available for employers who need professional, sales and clerical staff. Our workforce also includes a significant number of skilled and semi-skilled technicians and tradespeople.

2010 Labor Force Profile

• Total workforce                                             54,471 people (67.1%)

• Primary employment sectors:                   services, retail trade, and government

• City unemployment rate of                         3.38% percent

• Average workforce salary                           $31,178

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census and 2005-2009 American Community Survey.

Local Costs

An advantage to doing business in Ventura includes our competitive taxes and fees. The document below identifies general taxes and costs that may apply to business and development projects.

2011 Business Cost Sheet

• Property tax:                      1.036% to 1.140% percent of total assessed value

• Gross utility tax:                5%

• Sales and use tax:           7.25%

Source: City of Ventura Economic Development and Revitalization Division, February 2004.