Ventura County ages as housing costs push younger residents out, report finds

Simi Valley Faces County's Housing Crisis as Younger Residents Leave

Ventura County is aging rapidly as soaring housing costs push younger families out of the region, according to the 2025 State of the Region report released by the Ventura County Civic Alliance.

The findings reveal a county in demographic transition that could have significant implications for Simi Valley residents, from school enrollment to housing values to the local workforce.

Home Prices Reach Record Highs Across County

Housing has become the primary driver forcing young residents out, according to the report presented in a May briefing hosted by the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce. The median price of a home in Ventura County reached approximately $975,000 in 2025, the highest on record.

In Simi Valley specifically, current market data shows median home prices around $825,000, with some neighborhoods seeing prices above $850,000. Only about 14% of households can afford a median-priced home today, compared with about 50% in 2012.

Rent now averages about $2,850 per month countywide, and child care can run as high as $18,000 annually for a single toddler. David Maron, vice chair of the Civic Alliance, said "a couple with one child needs to earn a minimum $52 an hour combined to afford Ventura County living."

Population Decline Hits Youngest Residents Hardest

The demographic shifts are stark. Ventura County's average age has risen from around 34 years old in 2000 to nearly 40 today. The county's total population has declined from about 847,000 in 2017 to about 830,000 in 2026, with the number of children dropping sharply from about 202,000 to about 182,000—a decline of roughly 20,000 residents under age 18.

Birth rates have also plummeted, falling from about 19 births per 1,000 residents in 1990 to approximately 10 per thousand today.

School Enrollment Reflects Broader Trends

The demographic changes are visible in local schools. Simi Valley Unified School District serves 15,677 students, with minority enrollment at 60% and 32.8% of students economically disadvantaged.

Countywide, public school enrollment has been declining for years, with Ventura County now at about 123,000 TK-12 students—only slightly higher than the 107,000 enrolled in 1973, despite the county's population doubling over the same period.

Economic Pressures Mount Despite Job Growth

While Ventura County reached a record 316,000 non-farm jobs in 2024, wages vary dramatically by industry. About 55,000 people work in education, earning an average of about $56,000 annually, while roughly 15,000 workers in financial fields earn about $112,000.

Maron noted the county has struggled to retain or attract higher-paying industries: "We need more of those financial companies." Overall economic growth has been slow, with the county's GDP increasing only slightly in recent years and remaining below its pre-recession peak when adjusted for inflation.

Looking Ahead: Solutions and Challenges

The Ventura County Civic Alliance, founded in 2001 as an initiative of the Ventura County Community Foundation, uses the biannual report to track trends in housing, economy, education and other key areas using federal, state and Census data.

Maron emphasized that addressing the county's challenges will require "a more coordinated approach to housing, jobs and workforce development, especially if leaders want to retain younger residents who are increasingly priced out."

Despite the affordability crisis, Ventura County maintains strong homeownership rates—about 64% compared with 56% statewide—though Maron noted this stability also limits available housing for younger residents.

The full State of the Region report is available for download from the Civic Alliance's website.