Living in Oak Park is perfect! The Chumash people lived in the Oak Park area starting in 5500 BCE, making Oak Park one of the oldest occupied places in the state of California. Spanish settlers seized control of the area in 1795 and used it as ranch land. People began moving to Oak Park CA in the 19th century.
Oak Park remained ranch land until the 1960s when developers arrived and started building homes. Oak Park gets its name from the oak trees in the area. Oak Park is now a census-designated place, meaning it does not have an incorporated government. It receives services from Ventura County and other entities. What is Oak Park known for?
The community is well known for its quaint and family-friendly suburban atmosphere, with lots of top schools and parks. Is Oak Park a good place to live? Yes, it’s a great place to live, with convenient access to outdoor attractions, stores, and high-paying jobs.
Moving to Oak Park CA may seem like the right thing to do right now. But before you pack your bags, you should get all the details about living in Oak Park, including Oak Park real estate. Here's what to know about this terrific and kid-friendly community.
Where Is Oak Park?
Where is Oak Park? Oak Park is in Ventura County, inside the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Oak Park is a suburb of Los Angeles and Thousand Oaks; it is 36.6 miles from Oak Park to Los Angeles. Oak Park borders Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks, but not Los Angeles.
Oak Park is in a largely undeveloped area. It borders the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and it sits within the Simi Hills and Conejo Valley. The elevation varies by over 1,100 feet within the community, and hills bordering the community are even higher. The community also contains a few small creeks, including Medea Creek and Lindero Creek.
Residents living in Oak Park do not have access to public transportation. Kanan Road is the main road leading into Oak Park. It connects to US Route 101, which provides access to Los Angeles and cities near Los Angeles in Southern California, including San Fernando Valley cities. Most people moving to Oak Park CA use US Route 101 to access the community.
Oak Park Population and Demographics
According to the US Census Bureau, the Oak Park population in 2020 was 13,898, up by 0.6% since 2010. Oak Park is the biggest unincorporated community in Ventura County, though the Oak Park population is smaller than nearly all incorporated communities in the county. Oak Park has a population density of 2,624.7 people living in Oak Park per square mile, over five times higher than the county density.
Notable people living in Oak Park include Doja Cat, Peyton List, and Curran Walters. Oak Park demographics include:
- 52.4% female, 47.6% male
- Median age of residents living in Oak Park: 42.1
- Racial and ethnic composition of people living in Oak Park: 74.6% White (69.2% non-Hispanic), 18.7% Asian, 8.4% Hispanic or Latino, 5.2% two or more races, 0.4% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 0.2% Black or African American
- Median household income of residents living in Oak Park: $150,898 (1.6 times higher than the state median)
- Educational attainment: 98.4% of residents living in Oak Park have a high school diploma, 61.3% of residents have a bachelor's degree
- Foreign-born population of people living in Oak Park: 23.6%
25.1% of residents living in Oak Park are under the age of 18, higher than the California rate. 16.4% of residents are between the ages of 10 and 19, more than any other age group. Despite the high number of young people living in Oak Park, Oak Park's median age is nearly five years older than the state median.
Oak Park is one of the most affluent communities in Southern California. Over two-thirds of households living in Oak Park make at least $100,000 a year. Only 5.6% of residents living in Oak Park are below the poverty line, less than half the state poverty rate.
Oak Park is a very safe community to live in. Here are its latest crime rates:
- Overall crime rate: 1,083 offenses per 100,000 people living in Oak Park (61.9% lower than the California rate, 53.4% lower than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 190 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Oak Park (62% lower than the California rate, 48.6% lower than the national average)
- Property crime rate: 893 crimes per 100,000 people living in Oak Park (61.9% lower than the California rate, 54.3% lower than the national rate)
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services for all residents living in Oak Park. The office employs roughly 1,250 personnel, including 750 sworn police officers.
Cost of Living in Oak Park
You can use the Los Angeles cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Oak Park. The Los Angeles cost of living index is 148.9, meaning items in the area cost 48.9% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the Los Angeles metro area would need to earn $130,094 a year to cover the cost of living.
Child care costs $2,262 a month, so people living in Oak Park without children can live an affordable life. Housing costs $2,222 a month, but you can develop an affordable lifestyle by renting real estate or buying a small home. The Oak Park cost of living is lower than the Ventura cost of living.
Oak Park real estate is diverse and relatively affordable. According to Redfin, the median price of Oak Park homes for sale is $967,500, and the median price per square foot is $545. According to RentCafe, the average price of Oak Park apartments is $2,924 a month.
Typical Oak Park* Living Expenses
- 1 gallon of regular milk: $4.38
- 12 regular eggs: $3.83
- 1 pound of apples: $2.42
- 1 pound of tomatoes: $2.48
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $4.79
- Average Oak Park* utilities per month: $159.83
- 1 pair of jeans: $50.00
Source: Numbeo
*Expenses actually for Thousand Oaks
Oak Park Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Oak Park
Oak Park does not have any formal neighborhoods. Oak Park real estate consists primarily of single family homes, though you can find some townhomes and condos. Oak Park homes for sale tend to be large, with at least three bedrooms and 2,000 square feet of space. You can buy turnkey homes that have been recently renovated with contemporary and upscale features like open floor plans. You can also buy older properties with mid-century features like carpeted stairs. Prices vary, with some Oak Park homes for sale costing over $1 million.
Condos and townhomes tend to be small, with one or two bedrooms and less than 1,200 square feet of space. The size makes them suitable for singles or couples without children living in Oak Park. Most condos in Oak Park cost less than $700,000. The condos contain features like walk-in closets, stainless steel cabinets, and porcelain countertops.
Oak Park does not have any major apartment complexes. Homes for rent and Oak Park apartments can come on the market, though they're uncommon.
Oak Park Weather and Climate
Oak Park has a Mediterranean climate with warm and dry summers and wet but mild winters. August is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 71 degrees and an average high of 82. Temperatures peak in late August and decline gradually through the late summer and fall. December is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 53 degrees and an average low of 46. Freezing temperatures are unheard of in Oak Park.
The community receives 14.1 inches of rain and no inches of snow. Most rain falls in the winter, with zero inches on average in June, July, and August. The summer has nearly 90% clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy days, while the winter has roughly 60% sunny days.
Oak Park can experience extreme winds that can knock down trees and power lines. The community can also experience high heat during the summertime, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees.
August is the best month for visiting and moving to Oak Park CA. You can enjoy warm Oak Park weather and clear skies while participating in a range of outdoor activities. Oak Park has a family-friendly environment in the summer, with special local events and urban amenities available to all residents.
Things to Do in Oak Park
You can enjoy a wide range of cool things to do in Oak Park, including great shopping opportunities. Oak Park Plaza is the top shopping mall in the community, containing locally run stores like Beauimage Salon. North Ranch is another top shopping mall, containing Pavilions, the best grocery store in town.
Kids World Family Fun Center is a family-friendly indoor destination with a four-story playground, an arcade with over 30 games, and a basketball court. The fun center is the best place for birthday parties for teens and young children, including overnight parties where you sleep in the fun center.
618 Lindero Canyon Road, Oak Park, CA, 91377, 818-318-8888
Valley View Park is one of the biggest parks and outdoor destinations in the community. It contains a large playground, a soccer field, and a basketball court, making it a perfect place for sports.
100 Los Arcos Drive, Oak Park, CA, 91377, 818-865-9304
Mae Boyar Park has many unique features. You can find a horseshoe area, two tennis courts, and picnic tables available for picnics and quick meals.
130 Kanan Road, Oak Park, CA, 91377, 818-865-9304
Additional Things to Do in Oak Park
The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District maintains public spaces in the Oak Park community, including biking trails. The district also plans special events throughout the year. You can use the Rancho Simi Recreation events page to see what events are occurring next.
Oak Park Restaurants
The Los Angeles area has a diverse restaurant scene, with some of the best family-friendly and upscale restaurants in the country. You can enjoy a range of great meals at Oak Park restaurants, including affordable options.
Breakfast Cafe is a family-friendly breakfast restaurant that serves classic dishes and comfort food like breakfast burritos, gyros, and pancakes. Most menu items cost less than $15, making it a top eatery for an affordable meal.
686 Lindero Canyon Road, Oak Park, CA, 91377, 818-865-8807
Yunnan Restaurant serves Chinese food, including dumplings, noodles, rice cakes, and other authentic dishes. Yunnan offers large portions and provides family-style meals, letting you feed your entire family living in Oak Park at an affordable price.
668 Lindero Canyon Road, Oak Park, CA, 91377, 818-879-9888
Margaritas Mexican Grill is a casual Mexican restaurant with one of the largest menus of any Oak Park restaurant. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner with dozens of options for burritos, enchiladas, and other classic Mexican dishes.
702 Lindero Canyon Road Suite 704, Oak Park, CA, 91377, 818-879-7900
Jobs in Oak Park
6,258 people have jobs in Oak Park. Professional services is the single largest job sector in the community, accounting for 22.2% of Oak Park jobs. Professional services jobs in Oak Park have median earnings of almost $200,000 a year. Retail trade is the second biggest job sector, with median earnings of almost $150,000 a year. Finance and insurance is the third biggest job sector, with median earnings of over $275,000 a year.
According to Payscale, Oak Park jobs have an average salary of $111,000 and an average hourly rate of $33.81. Top employers in Oak Park include Starbucks, CVS Health, and Wells Fargo. You can research Oak Park jobs using Indeed, and you can apply for Ventura County jobs on the county government's website.
Oak Park Schools
The Oak Park Unified School District is the main Oak Park school district for all students living in Oak Park. Oak Park Unified School District contains three elementary schools in Oak Park: Brookside Elementary School, Oak Hills Elementary School, and Red Oak Elementary School. 82% of students at Brookside Elementary School test at or above the proficiency level in mathematics, 43 percentage points higher than the state rate.
The Oak Park school district has one middle school: Medea Creek Middle School. US News ranks it in the top 250 middle schools in California. 79% of students at Medea Creek test at or above the proficiency level in reading, 32 percentage points higher than the state rate.
There are two public high schools in Oak Park. Oak Park High School is the main high school for students living in Oak Park. US News ranks Oak Park High School in the top 125 high schools in California and the top 800 high schools in America. The school has a graduation rate of 99%.
Oak Park Independent School has a flexible schedule and curriculum, allowing for students with acting, musical, and athletic careers to get a high school education. Zendaya, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and other notable celebrities living in Oak Park have attended Oak Park Independent School.
Oak Park doesn't have any private schools or colleges. The Oak Park Library is the main public library serving all residents living in Oak Park.
Oak Park Statistics and Information
- County: Ventura County
- Oak Park area: 5.29 square miles
- Oak Park zip code: 91377
- Oak Park area code: 747 and 818
- Oak Park elevation: 1,106 feet
- Oak Park time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -7 and -8)
- Closest airport to Oak Park: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), 38.5 miles from Oak Park
Oak Park Map
You can find award-winning schools, natural beauty, and other great suburban living features on this Oak Park map.
Living in Oak Park is great, no matter what you're looking for. Young professionals will enjoy high-paying jobs and upscale homes, while families will enjoy the suburban lifestyle and top schools in Oak Park.
Moving to Oak Park CA isn't tricky. Movegreen has the top Oak Park movers, with decades of experience in the moving industry. Call 866-684-7336 for a free estimate now.
