Ventura County is grappling with the most severe housing shortage in the United States, according to a recent study by Up For Growth. The Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura metropolitan area has been identified as having the worst housing deficit in the country, with a shortage exceeding 31,000 units.
Despite this pressing issue, Ventura County has achieved notable recognition for its safety. Data from the California Department of Justice highlights Ventura County as the safest large county in California. This designation is based on the 2023 State of the Region Report, which analyzed crime rates per 1,000 residents across the state’s 16 largest counties and tracked crime trends over time.
In 2022, Ventura County reported its lowest crime rate in history, reinforcing its position as the safest large county in California. San Diego County followed as the second safest, with Orange County ranking third.
“This doesn’t happen by accident,” Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko remarked. “Ventura is a special place. We’re proud of the strong working relationships among our local law enforcement agencies and value our community partnerships highly.”
In 2022, Ventura County’s violent crime rate was recorded at just below two incidents per 1,000 residents, which is 30% lower than that of Orange County. The county experienced 13.51 property crimes per 1,000 residents that year. Cities such as Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo, and Ojai were highlighted for having the lowest overall crime rates within the county.
The report notes that even cities with higher crime rates, such as Ventura and Oxnard, remain relatively safe compared to many cities in other large counties across California. Oxnard, the largest city in the county, has seen a downward trend in crime over the past three decades, with 2022 marking its third-lowest crime year during this period.
Ventura itself achieved the lowest overall crime rate in over 30 years in 2022. Simi Valley also reported a lower crime rate compared to 1996, the year it was named “America’s Safest City.”
Port Hueneme noted nearly a 10% reduction in violent crime. However, the Ventura County Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee attributed a slight increase in property crimes primarily to incidents of shoplifting and residents leaving their vehicles unlocked.