Lightcast Economic Overview Report: A Birds-eye View of our Economy
The latest Lightcast labor market report for Ventura County, offers a comprehensive snapshot of the region’s workforce, economic activity, and industry trends. This data helps employers, educators, and job seekers understand where our economy is heading, and how we can prepare for the future.
Population & Workforce Trends
- Ventura County’s population has decreased by 1% since 2019 and is projected to decline an additional 2.2% by 2029. Despite this, the labor market remains active, with labor force participation rising to 63.37% in August 2025.
- Job growth has been steady: employment increased by 3,053 jobs over the last five years and is expected to grow by 12,691 more by 2029.
- Median household income remains strong at $107,300—well above the national median.
Top Industries & Growth Sectors
The report identifies Ventura County’s largest industries in 2024 as:
- Restaurants & Food Services
- Local Government (Education & Hospitals)
- Crop Production (reflecting our region’s strong agriculture sector)
The fastest-growing industries include:
- Health Care & Social Assistance
- Transportation & Warehousing
- Manufacturing
- Government
These sectors are expected to drive the majority of new jobs in the coming years.
Skills in Highest Demand
Based on job postings and workforce profiles, Ventura County employers are seeking specialized skills such as:
- Merchandising
- Marketing
- Auditing
- Project Management
- Nursing
- Accounting
- Effective Communication
These insights help align training programs and workforce initiatives with regional demand.
Workforce Characteristics & Opportunities
Ventura County’s workforce shows strong concentrations in:
- Office & Administrative Support
- Food Preparation & Serving
- Management
- Sales
- Healthcare Support
Healthcare support, management, business & finance, and computer & mathematical occupations are projected to see the most growth.
The county also benefits from a robust educational pipeline, over 17,000 graduates in 2024, coming out of Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura Colleges, CSU Channel Islands, and California Lutheran University.
Why This Report Matters
The Lightcast report gives Ventura County a clear view of its workforce strengths and challenges. By aligning career pathways, educational programs, and business needs, the region can continue building a resilient, competitive economy.
Understanding where talent lives and works, how industries are shifting, and which skills are most in demand helps everyone, from employers planning for future hiring, to educators designing programs, to job seekers exploring opportunities.
The full report can be accessed here: Lightcast Ventura County report 11.10.2025