History of Camarillo, California in Timeline

Camarillo is a city located in Ventura County, California, with a population of 70,741 as of 2020. The city is named after Juan and Adolfo Camarillo, brothers who owned Rancho Calleguas and were instrumental in its founding. California State University, Channel Islands, is situated on the site of the former Camarillo State Hospital.

1910: Original Town Site Laid Out

Around 1910, the original town site of Camarillo was laid out, centered around St. Mary Magdalen Church, which served as the family chapel for Adolfo Camarillo.

1927: Land Donation for Seminary

In 1927, Don Juan Camarillo, brother of Adolfo, donated 100 acres to be used as a seminary named in honor of Saint John the Evangelist.

1939: Opening of St. John's Seminary

In 1939, the Roman Catholic seminary, St. John's Seminary, opened.

1951: Reactivation of Oxnard Air Force Base

In 1951, during the Korean War and Cold War tensions, the former Oxnard AAF was reactivated as Oxnard Air Force Base, an Air Defense Command / Aerospace Defense Command fighter-interceptor base.

1962: Population and 3M Construction

In 1962, Camarillo's population was 7,500, and 3M began construction for the Mincom and Magnetic Tape Divisions, which would employ 900 people and become the largest local employer.

1962: Inaugural Camarillo Christmas Parade

Since 1962, the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District has hosted the annual Camarillo Christmas Parade, which usually occurs during the first or second weekend in December.

1964: Camarillo Becomes a City

In 1964, Camarillo became a city and implemented a General Plan and building codes. The closest traffic signal was 2 miles from the city center, and the first shopping center and supermarket were under construction.

1964: Council-Manager Government

In 1964, a council-manager form of government was created at the city's incorporation. The five member city council is elected at large for four-year terms.

1964: Contract for Police Services

Since Camarillo's incorporation in 1964, police services have been provided by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department under contract to the city.

1970: Closure of Oxnard Air Force Base

In 1970, the Oxnard Air Force Base closed again and became the present-day Camarillo Airport.

1978: Release of "Ready for Camarillo"

In 1978, the band Ambrosia released a song called "Ready for Camarillo" on their Life Beyond L.A. album. "Ready for Camarillo" also appeared as the single B side of their hit "How Much I Feel."

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2000: Republican Voter Stronghold

In 2000, Camarillo was a stronghold for the Republican Party, with nearly twice as many Republican voters as Democratic voters.

August 2002: Opening of CSUCI

In August 2002, California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI) officially opened and is now accredited by the WASC.

2008: Closure of Imation Factory

In 2008, the 3M spinoff Imation's factory, which was briefly housed in the 3M plant, was closed.

2008: Desalter Project Under Consideration

Since 2008, the North Pleasant Valley Desalter Project has been under consideration to treat brackish well water from the Calleguas Creek watershed.

October 13, 2010: Library System Withdrawal

On October 13, 2010, the Camarillo City Council voted to withdraw from the Ventura County Library System and contract with Library Systems & Services (LSSI) for library management.

2010: Camarillo Population in 2010

In 2010, the United States Census counted Camarillo's population at 65,201.

2010: 2010 United States Census

In 2010, the United States Census reported that Camarillo had a population of 65,201. The racial makeup of Camarillo was 48,947 (75.1%) White, 1,216 (1.9%) African American, 397 (0.6%) Native American, 6,633 (10.2%) Asian, 116 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 4,774 (7.3%) from other races, and 3,118 (4.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14,958 persons (22.9%).

January 1, 2011: City of Camarillo Public Library Opens

On January 1, 2011, the City of Camarillo Public Library opened as a municipal public library.

May 2, 2013: Camarillo Springs Brush Fire

On May 2, 2013, a major brush fire began in the Camarillo Springs area, leading to the evacuation of Dos Vientos and CSUCI. About 15 houses were damaged, but none burned down.

May 5, 2013: Fire Under Control Due to Rain

On May 5, 2013, rain helped firefighters bring the Camarillo Springs brush fire under full control after 28,000 acres of land had been burned.

2014: Council Rejection of Development Project

In 2014, the Camarillo city council voted against an 895-acre development project that would have extended development on agricultural lands east towards the Conejo Grade.

2015: Completion of Round Mountain Water Treatment Plant

In 2015, Camrosa completed the Round Mountain Water Treatment Plant, a desalting facility, producing 1,000 acre-feet of drinking water a year.

September 2019: Construction Begins on Desalter Project

In September 2019, construction began on the North Pleasant Valley Desalter Project to treat brackish well water.

2020: Even Voter Registration

By 2020, voter registration for both the Republican and Democratic parties in Camarillo was close to even.

2020: Camarillo Population in 2020

In 2020, the United States census recorded Camarillo's population as 70,741, which was an increase of 5,540 from the 2010 census.

2020: 2020 United States Census

In 2020, the United States census reported that Camarillo had a population of 70,741. The racial makeup of Camarillo was 59.6% White, 2.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 11.3% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 10.0% from other races, and 15.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.4% of the population.

November 2021: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Desalter Plant

In November 2021, the city held a ribbon cutting ceremony as the North Pleasant Valley Desalter plant began to operate.

January 2023: Desalter Plant Starts Producing Water

In January 2023, after extensive testing and adjustments, the North Pleasant Valley Desalter plant started producing water for the city.

2023: Household Income and Poverty Line

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $109,390, and the per capita income was $56,144. About 5.8% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line.

July 10, 2025: Immigration Raids and Protests

On July 10, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and National Guard units used chemical munitions against protesters during immigration raids on a farm in Camarillo.