Editing Moorpark, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Moorpark, California
|settlement_type          = [[List of municipalities in California|City]]
|other_name               = 
|native_name              = 
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
|image_skyline            = Moorpark Metrolink.jpg
|imagesize                = 275px
|image_caption            = The [[Moorpark station]] for the [[Metrolink (California)|Metrolink]] [[Ventura County Line]] and [[Amtrak]] [[Pacific Surfliner]]
|image_map                = Ventura_County_California_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Moorpark_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Ventura County, California|Ventura County]] and the state of California
| pushpin_map = Los Angeles#California#USA
| pushpin_label = Moorpark
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the [[Los Angeles Metropolitan Area]]##Location in California##Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief = 1
|image_flag               = Flag of Moorpark, California.gif
|flag_size                = 
|image_seal               = Seal of the City of Moorpark, California.jpg
|seal_size                = 
|image_shield             = 
|shield_size              = 
|image_blank_emblem       = 
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = State
|subdivision_name1        = California
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in California|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Ventura County, California|Ventura]]
|government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council-Manager]]<ref name=CAFR2014>{{Cite web |url=http://moorparkca.gov/documentcenter/view/3510|title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report: Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2014|publisher=Moorpark, CA|access-date=February 10, 2015|archive-date=February 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218044422/http://moorparkca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3510|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Chris Enegren<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.moorparkca.gov/121/City-Council | title = City Council | publisher = City of Moorpark | access-date = January 4, 2015}}</ref>
|leader_title1            = [[California's 27th State Senate district|State Senator]]
|leader_name1             = {{Representative|casd|27|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=swd>{{Cite web |url=http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |title=Statewide Database |publisher=UC Regents |access-date=December 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201113744/http://statewidedatabase.org/gis/gis2011/index_2011.html |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|leader_title2            = [[California's 42nd State Assembly district|Assemblymember]]
|leader_name2             = {{Representative|caad|42|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=swd/>
|leader_title3            = [[California's 26th congressional district|U. S. Congress]]
|leader_name3             = {{Representative|cacd|26|fmt=usleader}}<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|26|access-date=October 5, 2014}}</ref>
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1887
|established_title2       = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
|established_date2        = 
|established_title3       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date3        = 1983-07-01<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nndb.com/geo/716/000098422/| title = Moorpark, CA| access-date = April 21, 2007}}</ref>
<!-- Area------------------>
| unit_pref               = Imperial
| area_footnotes          = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi        = 12.47
| area_land_sq_mi         = 12.28
| area_water_sq_mi        = 0.19
| area_total_km2          = 32.28
| area_land_km2           = 31.80
| area_water_km2          = 0.49
| area_water_percent      = 1.72
| area_note               = 
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|1652754|Moorpark|access-date=January 4, 2015}}</ref>
|elevation_ft             = 515
|elevation_m              = 157
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="US Census Bureau 2020 Fillmore, CA Population">{{cite web |title=US Census Bureau |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Moorpark%20city,%20California |website=www.census.gov |access-date=8 September 2024}}</ref>
|population_total         = 36284
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|population_est           = 
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
|timezone                 = [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
|utc_offset               = −8
|timezone_DST             = PDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −7
|coordinates              = {{Coord|34|16|52|N|118|52|25|W|region:US-CA_type:city(36,000)|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = ZIP Code
|postal_code              = 93021, 93020 (P.O. Boxes)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/zcl_1_results.jsp |title= USPS - ZIP Code Lookup - Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results | access-date = April 21, 2007}}</ref>
|area_code                = [[Area code 805|805]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://moorpark.areaconnect.com/zip2.htm?city=Moorpark&qs=CA&searchtype=bycity | title = Moorpark Area Code | access-date = April 21, 2007}}</ref>
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = {{FIPS|06|49138}}
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = {{GNIS 4|1652754}}
|website                  = {{URL|www.moorparkca.gov}}
|footnotes                = 
|population_density_km2   = 1144.01
}}
<!-- Infobox ends -->

'''Moorpark''' is a city in [[Ventura County, California|Ventura County]] in [[Southern California]]. Moorpark was founded in 1900. The town grew from just over 4,000 citizens in 1980 to over 25,000 by 1990. As of 2006, Moorpark was one of the fastest-growing cities in Ventura County.<ref name="keys">{{Cite book |last1=Brant |first1=Cherie |date=2006 |title=Keys to the County: Touring Historic Ventura County |publisher=Ventura County Museum |isbn=978-0972936149}}</ref> The population was 34,421 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], up from 31,415 at the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]].

==Etymology==
The town most likely was named after the Moorpark apricot, which used to grow in the area (hence the apricot flower on the town's seal and flag).<ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 107">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/mccormacksguides00donm_0/page/107|title=McCormack's Guides Santa Barbara and Ventura 2000|last1=McCormack|first1=Don|date=1999|publisher=McCormacks Guides|isbn=9781929365098|page=[https://archive.org/details/mccormacksguides00donm_0/page/107 107]|url-access=registration}}</ref> The apricot, in turn, was named for Admiral Lord Anson's estate [[Moor Park (house)|Moor Park]] in Hertfordshire, England; the apricot was introduced in 1688.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arborday.org/trees/treeGuide/TreeDetail.cfm?id=99|title= Moorpark Apricot| website=Arbor Day Foundation|access-date= February 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theproduceguide.com/doitem.php?pnum=344|title= Dried Apricots: History|website=Coosemans Specialty Produce|access-date=February 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.online-literature.com/walter_scott/journal-of-scott/32/|title= The Journal of Sir Walter Scott|last1= Walter|first1= Scott|date= May 27, 1828| publisher=The Literature Network|access-date= February 15, 2014}}</ref>

Some of Moorpark's previous unofficial and official names include '''Epworth''', '''Fremontville''', '''Penrose''', '''Fairview''', and '''Little Simi'''.<ref name="keys" />

==History==
[[File:José_de_la_Guerra_y_Noriega_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Moorpark was part of [[Rancho Simi]], owned by Don [[José de la Guerra y Noriega]], founder of the prominent [[Guerra family of California]].]]
[[Chumash people]] were the first to inhabit what is now known as Moorpark. A Chumash village, known as Quimisac (Kimishax), was located in today's [[Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park]]. They were hunters and gatherers who often traveled between villages to trade. The village of Quimisac once controlled the local trade of fused [[shale]] in the region.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Winters|first1=Michael|date=2016|title=Moorpark|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|pages=7–8|isbn=9781439657355}}</ref><ref name="gunter">{{cite book|last1=Gunter|first1=Norma|date=1969|title=The Moorpark Story|publisher=Moorpark Chamber of Commerce|page=12}}</ref> The area was later part of the large [[Rancho Simi]] [[land grant]] given in 1795 to the Pico brothers by [[list of pre-statehood governors of California|Governor]] [[Diego de Borica]] of [[Alta California]].

Robert W. Poindexter, the secretary of the Simi Land and Water Company, received the land when the association was disbanded. A map showing the townsite was prepared in November 1900. It was a resubdivision of the large lot subdivision known as Fremont, or Fremontville.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gis.ventura.org/RecordMaps/mr/005/005mr005.pdf|title=Map of a part of Tract "L" of RANCHO SIMI, Ventura Co. Cal.|date=November 1900|website=Ventura County Recorder}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gis.ventura.org/RecordMaps/mr/003/003mr039.pdf|title=Map of FREMONT, a Subdivision of Lot "L" of RANCHO SIMI, Ventura County, California, showing the townsite of MOORPARK and the lands of Madeleine R. Poindexter|date= September 1893|website=Ventura County Recorder}}</ref> An application for a post office was submitted on June 1, 1900, and approved by August of that year. The application noted that the town had a railroad depot.<ref name="gunter" /> The town grew after the 1904 completion of the {{convert|7369|ft|m|0|adj=on}} [[Santa Susana Tunnel|Santa Susana rail tunnel]] through the [[Santa Susana Mountains]]. Moorpark was then on the main route of the [[Southern Pacific Railroad]]'s [[Coast Line (UP)|Coast Line]] between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The depot remained in operation until it was closed in 1958. It was eventually torn down around 1965.

Moorpark was one of the first cities to run on commercial [[nuclear power]] in the entire world, and the second in the United States, after [[Arco, Idaho]], on July 17, 1955, which is the first city in the world to be lit by atomic power. For one hour on November 12, 1957, this fact was featured on Edward R. Murrow's ''[[See It Now]]'' television show.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-dec-14-re-guide14-story.html |title=Atomic Age footnote grows into 21st century |date=December 14, 2003|first=Maggie |last=Barnett |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=May 13, 2016}}</ref> The reactor, called the [[Sodium Reactor Experiment]] was built by the [[Atomics International]] division of [[North American Aviation]] at the nearby [[Santa Susana Field Laboratory]]. The Sodium Reactor Experiment operated from 1957 to 1964 and produced 7.5 [[Watt#Megawatt|megawatts]] of [[electrical power]] at a [[Southern California Edison]]-supplied generating station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.energy.ca.gov/nuclear/california.html|title=Nuclear Energy in California|website=www.energy.ca.gov|access-date=April 12, 2018|archive-date=March 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322122842/https://www.energy.ca.gov/nuclear/california.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Moorpark College]] opened on September 11, 1967. Moorpark College is one of the few colleges to feature an exotic animal training and management program. Moorpark was incorporated as a city on July 1, 1983.

In 1996, Moorpark's Little League All-Star team represented the West Region in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.<ref>{{Cite web |last=League |first=Little |title=Participants |url=https://www.littleleague.org/world-series/participants/ |access-date=March 16, 2023 |website=Little League |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2005, a [[Siberian tiger]] named Tuffy that escaped from a local residence was shot and killed in one of Moorpark's parks. This created a great uproar, because the [[animal control officer]]s used a gun instead of a [[tranquilizer]] to kill the tiger, primarily because the tiger could not be shot from the proper angle for a tranquilizer to prove effective. [[Vigil|Candlelight vigils]] were held for the late Tuffy. The couple who owned the tiger had moved from a licensed facility in [[Temecula, California]], to an unlicensed facility in the Moorpark area of [[Ventura County]]. They lost their [[U.S. Department of Agriculture]] exhibitor license because they failed to notify the department of the move within 10 days. The wife pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor count of failing to maintain records of exotic felines. The husband pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, making false statements and failing to maintain proper records. Each was sentenced to [[home detention]], three years [[probation]], and fined $900.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2007/05/15/owner-of-escaped-tiger-sentenced-to-home-detention/|title=Owner of escaped tiger sentenced to home detention|date=May 15, 2007|website=Orange County Register|language=en-US|access-date=August 8, 2019}}</ref>

Just a month later, in March 2005, the fairly complete remains (about 75%) of an unusually old [[mammoth]], possibly the rare southern mammoth (''[[Mammuthus meridionalis]]''), were discovered in the foothills of Moorpark at the site of a housing development.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/mammoths-skeleton-uncovered-in-la/ | work=The Seattle Times | title=Mammoth's skeleton uncovered in L.A. | first1=Catherine | last1=Saillant | first2=Gregory W. | last2=Griggs | date=April 9, 2005}}</ref> The fossilized skeleton is believed to be from a 800,000 to 1.4 million years old mammoth, which is estimated to have had a weight of ten tons.<ref name="keys" />

In 2006, the Moorpark city council transferred governance of their library from the [[Ventura County]] library system to their own newly created city library system. The library, which opened in 1912, celebrated its centennial in 2012.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/jan/28/moorpark-launches-librarys-centennial/ | newspaper=[[Ventura County Star]] | title= Moorpark launches library's centennial celebration | first=Michele | last=Willer-Allred| date=January 28, 2012}}</ref>

On February 28, 2006, a housing proposal, North Park Village, which would have added 1,680 houses on {{convert|3586|acre|km2|0}} in the northeast area of the city, was defeated by a landslide in a city election.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rode|first=Erin|date=January 23, 2021|title=From Hueneme to Simi, Ventura County cities approved these housing projects in 2020|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2021/01/23/ventura-county-housing-developments-2020/3927702001/|access-date=January 24, 2021|website=Ventura County Star|language=en}}</ref><ref>Willer-Allred, Michele (December 20, 2012) [http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/dec/20/housing-development-again-proposed-for-site-near/?print=1 "Housing development again proposed for site near Moorpark College"] ''Ventura County Star''</ref>

===Egg City===
In 1961, Julius Goldman<!-- Removed Wikilink as bio info does not match 15 February 2014 --> founded Egg City, the largest chicken ranch in the United States at the time, located just north of Moorpark. Many chicken coops were spread over acres of concrete, with millions of chickens in them. Local residents were somewhat irked by the farm, when the smell of it wafted to Moorpark on windy days. The odors also commonly flowed to the nearby town of Fillmore. The business suffered a setback in 1972, when millions of chickens were slaughtered because of the threat of [[Newcastle disease]]. Egg gathering was done from 36 houses by hand, with workers placing eggs onto plastic flats while riding electric carts. Liquid, dry and shell eggs were processed at the {{Convert|8,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} hatchery facility warehouse, with yolk and albumen available individually. The farm finally closed in 1996. In early December 2006, a wildfire destroyed the dilapidated remains of Egg City.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rasmussen|first1=Cecilia|issue=December 17, 2006| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-dec-17-me-then17-story.html|title=Fire writes the final chapter for the world's largest egg ranch|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Moorpark,_CA_landscape.jpg|thumb|left|Western Moorpark]]
Central Moorpark lies in a valley created by the [[Arroyo Simi]] river. It is situated on flatlands and mesas at the base of numerous hills. It is located immediately west of [[Simi Valley, California]].<ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 107" /><ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 108" />

The city is divided by [[California State Route 118|Highway 118]], locally known as Los Angeles Avenue. Old Town Moorpark (Downtown) is located north of Route 118. Many newer residential communities can be found south of Route 118.<ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 107"/>

===Neighborhoods===
* Downtown is on High Street at the historic center of the city.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Harris|first=Mike|date=September 2, 2021|title=Moorpark City Council temporarily bans new retail chain stores on main downtown street|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/moorpark/2021/09/02/moorpark-temporarily-bans-new-retail-chain-stores-downtown-street/5649422001/|access-date=September 3, 2021|newspaper=Ventura County Star|language=en-US}}</ref> The pepper trees that line High Street were planted by Robert Poindexter who was responsible for the plotting and mapping of the town. This area also features the High Street Arts Center (a performing arts center operated by the City of Moorpark), and various restaurants and businesses.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cox|first=Christina|date=September 18, 2020|title=High Street Station clears commission|url=https://www.mpacorn.com/articles/high-street-station-clears-commission/|access-date=September 19, 2020|work=Moorpark Acorn}}</ref>
* The Peach Hill and Mountain Meadows neighborhoods are south of the [[Arroyo Simi]]. [[Moorpark High School]] is in this area, as well as many parks, including the Arroyo Vista Park and Recreation Center, the city's largest park. This area contains a large part of the city's population as over 75 percent of homes in Moorpark were constructed after 1980 here and in other new projects.<ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 107"/>
* Campus Park is named for Moorpark College. An additional substantial development is occurring to the north of the existing city, in the area of the Moorpark Country Club.

===Climate===
Like much of the [[Greater Los Angeles Area]], Moorpark has a Subtropical-Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification [[Csb climate|Csb]] on the coast, [[Csb climate|Csb]] inland), and receives just enough annual precipitation to avoid either Köppen's [[BSh]] or [[BSk]] (semi-arid climate) classification.
{{Weather box
|location = Moorpark, California
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 92
|Feb record high F = 92
|Mar record high F = 96
|Apr record high F = 105
|May record high F = 102
|Jun record high F = 106
|Jul record high F = 105
|Aug record high F = 105
|Sep record high F = 109
|Oct record high F = 108
|Nov record high F = 99
|Dec record high F = 99
|Jan high F = 69
|Feb high F = 69
|Mar high F = 71
|Apr high F = 74
|May high F = 75
|Jun high F = 77
|Jul high F = 81
|Aug high F = 83
|Sep high F = 82
|Oct high F = 79
|Nov high F = 74
|Dec high F = 69
|Jan low F = 41
|Feb low F = 43
|Mar low F = 44
|Apr low F = 46
|May low F = 50
|Jun low F = 53
|Jul low F = 57
|Aug low F = 56
|Sep low F = 55
|Oct low F = 50
|Nov low F = 44
|Dec low F = 41
|Jan record low F = 25
|Feb record low F = 26
|Mar record low F = 25
|Apr record low F = 30
|May record low F = 35
|Jun record low F = 37
|Jul record low F = 38
|Aug record low F = 40
|Sep record low F = 40
|Oct record low F = 32
|Nov record low F = 28
|Dec record low F = 25
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.7
|Feb precipitation inch = 5.0
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.7
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.8
|May precipitation inch = 0.3
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.1
|Jul precipitation inch = 0.0
|Aug precipitation inch = 0.0
|Sep precipitation inch = 0.2
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.7
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.4
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.5
|source 1 = [[The Weather Channel (United States)|The Weather Channel]].<ref name=climate>{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCA0728
|title=MONTHLY AVERAGES for Moorpark, CA |publisher=[[The Weather Channel (United States)|The Weather Channel]]|access-date=September 4, 2008 }}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

===Ecology===
[[Mountain lions]] occasionally come down from the hills and wander through the city.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Dave |date=May 23, 2024 |title=Mountain lions and bears, oh my. Wildlife in Moorpark, Santa Paula put public on alert |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2024/05/23/mountain-lion-seen-in-moorpark-bear-in-santa-paula/73829084007/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |newspaper=Ventura County Star}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1960= 2902
|1970= 3380
|1980= 4030
|1990= 25494
|2000= 31415
|2010= 34421
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
|2020=36284}}

===2010===
The [[2010 United States Census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0649138|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715031813/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0649138|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Moorpark city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Moorpark had a population of 34,421. The population density was {{convert|2,689.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Moorpark was 25,860 (75.1%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 533 (1.5%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 248 (0.7%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2,352 (6.8%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 50 (0.1%) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3,727 (10.8%) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1,651 (4.8%) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 10,813 persons (31.4%).

The Census reported that 34,421 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 0 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized.

There were 10,484 households, out of which 4,863 (46.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 6,966 (66.4%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 1,113 (10.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 507 (4.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 483 (4.6%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and 58 (0.6%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. 1,337 households (12.8%) were made up of individuals, and 434 (4.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.28. There were 8,586 [[family (U.S. Census)|families]] (81.9% of all households); the average family size was 3.55.

The population was spread out, with 9,459 people (27.5%) under the age of 18, 3,631 people (10.5%) aged 18 to 24, 8,825 people (25.6%) aged 25 to 44, 10,051 people (29.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,455 people (7.1%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

There were 10,738 housing units at an average density of {{convert|839.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}, of which 8,182 (78.0%) were owner-occupied, and 2,302 (22.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 2.9%. 26,688 people (77.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 7,733 people (22.5%) lived in rental housing units.

===2000===
As of the 2000 census,<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 31,416 people in the city, organized into 8,994 households and 7,698 families. The population density was {{convert|1,651.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 9,094 housing units at an average density of {{convert|478.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 74.42% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 27.81% [[Hispanic]] of any race, 13.95% from [[(U.S. Census)|other races]], 5.63% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 3.87% from two or more races, 1.52% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.47% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.15% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]].

There were 8,994 households, out of which 54.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.0% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.4% were non-families. 9.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.49 and the average family size was 3.71.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 34.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 4.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

According to a 2007 estimate,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US0610046&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US06%7C16000US0610046&_street=&_county=moorpark&_cityTown=moorpark&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null:null&_keyword=&_industry=|title=American FactFinder - Community Facts|website=factfinder.census.gov|access-date=April 12, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200211181107/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US0610046&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US06%7C16000US0610046&_street=&_county=moorpark&_cityTown=moorpark&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null:null&_keyword=&_industry=|archive-date=February 11, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> the median income for a household in the city was $90,109, and the median income for a family was $96,532. Males had a median income of $55,535 versus $35,790 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,383. 7.0% of the population and 4.3% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.6% of those under the age of 18 and 7.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

==Economy==
In 2017, Moorpark had 12,235 jobs (up from 10,820 jobs in 2010) and retail sales of $281 million (up from $264 million in 2010).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scag.ca.gov/Documents/Moorpark.pdf|title=Profile of the City of Moorpark|date=May 2019|website=Profile of the City of Moorpark|access-date=August 8, 2019}}</ref> Most of these retail businesses are located along the community's Los Angeles Avenue corridor, with the community's historic downtown area, known as Historic High Street, as a secondary retail hub.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Alex |date=December 14, 2023 |title=High Hopes for High Street: The Alley and other new developments are turning sleepy Moorpark into a hip destination |url=https://www.vcreporter.com/features/high-hopes-for-high-street-the-alley-and-other-new-developments-are-turning-sleepy-moorpark/article_f1983f10-9a41-11ee-a623-733003deabfd.html |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=VC Reporter |publisher=Times Media Group |language=en}}</ref>

Several businesses have been opened by celebrity chefs, including [[Fabio Viviani (chef)|Fabio Viviani]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=McKinnon|first=Lisa|date=January 10, 2020|title=Open and shut: Restaurant closures a sign of the times, says Fabio Viviani of Cafe Firenze|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/money/business/2020/01/10/cafe-firenze-restaurant-moorpark-california-fabio-viviani/2804874001/|access-date=April 13, 2021|website=Ventura County Star|language=en}}</ref> a ''[[Top Chef]]'' "fan favorite," and [[Damiano Carrara]], a third-place finisher on ''[[Food Network Star]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Elliott|first=Farley|date=August 22, 2017|title=Food Network star Damiano Carrara expands empire into a massive Moorpark space|url=https://la.eater.com/2017/8/22/16179182/morning-briefing-restaurant-news-los-angeles-damiano-carrara-expansion|access-date=April 13, 2021|website=Eater LA|language=en}}</ref>

===Top employers===
According to the city's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moorparkca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12628/2021-Annual-Comprehensive-Financial-Report|title=City of Moorpark ACFR|website=moorparkca.gov|access-date=February 2, 2022}}</ref> the top employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees (2021)
|-
|1
|[[PennyMac Loan Services]]
|1,086
|-
|2
|[[Aerovironment]]
|800
|-
|3
|[[Moorpark College]]
|727
|-
|4
|[[Moorpark Unified School District]]
|718
|-
|5
|[[Pentair]] Water Pool & Spa
|530
|-
|6
|[[Benchmark Electronics]] Manufacturing Solutions
|320
|-
|7
|[[Ensign-Bickford Company|Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense]] Company
|224
|-
|8
|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] Retail, Inc.
|200
|-
|9
|[[Target Corporation|Target]] Stores
|169
|-
|10
|Covered 6, LLC
|135
|}

==Arts and culture==
[[File:High Street Arts Center at night.jpg|thumb|The High Street Arts Center, a theater in downtown Moorpark]]
A few events are held in the Moorpark area during the year, most notably Moorpark "Country Days", a single day parade and festival in late September or early October, [[American Civil War]] battle reenactments in early-November (in 2019 this annual event was cancelled), an "Apricot Festival", usually in the spring or summer, an annual fireworks celebration on the third of July every year, and the Moorpark Film Festival in August. The "Country Days" parade includes various vendors, entertainment, and family friendly games/crafts. Children march with their schools, sports teams, dance companies, etc. Local businesses are also encouraged to march. The July 3 fireworks are popular around the rest of [[Ventura County]], as people can go to the Moorpark fireworks on the 3rd, and still see their own local city's fireworks on July 4.

The City of Moorpark established an "Arts in Public Places" (AIPP) program in 2005 and later created the Arts Commission in 2006 to support the AIPP efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapter 17.50 ART IN PUBLIC PLACES |url=https://library.qcode.us/lib/moorpark_ca/pub/municipal_code/item/title_17-chapter_17_50 |access-date=January 4, 2023 |website=library.qcode.us}}</ref> In August 2019, Moorpark engaged the services of ArtsOC to develop an [https://www.moorparkca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12391/Moorpark-Arts-Master-Plan?bidId= Arts Master Plan.] While the initial role of the Arts Commission was to oversee the AIPP program, their role has expanded to include general oversight and implementation of the Arts Master Plan to engage, strengthen, and harness the visual and performing arts in Moorpark.

==Parks and recreation==
=== Parks ===
Moorpark has 20 parks, all with a variety of amenities. Park hours for unlit facilities are from 6:00&nbsp;a.m. to sunset. Lit facilities are from 6:00&nbsp;a.m. to 10:00&nbsp;p.m. The city's Dog Park is open from 7:00&nbsp;a.m. to 5:00&nbsp;p.m. PST, and 7:00&nbsp;a.m. to 7:00&nbsp;p.m. DST. The city's Skatepark is open from 10:00&nbsp;a.m. to sunset on school days, and 8:00&nbsp;a.m. to sunset on all other days.

Park facilities, including picnic pavilions, ball fields, soccer fields, and tennis courts can be reserved for private use.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moorparkca.gov/390/Parks|title=Parks {{!}} Moorpark, CA - Official Website|website=www.moorparkca.gov|access-date=October 25, 2016}}</ref>

# Arroyo Vista Community Park
# Campus Canyon
# Campus Park
# College View Park
# Community Center Park
# Country Trail Park
# Dog Park
# Glenwood Park
# Magnolia Park
# Mammoth Highlands Park
# Miller Park
# Monte Vista Nature Park
# Mountain Meadows Park
# Peach Hill Park
# Poindexter Park
# Tierra Rejada Park
# Veterans Memorial Park
# Villa Campesina Park
# Virginia Colony Park
# Walnut Acres Park

==Government and politics==
The city government operates under a [[Council manager|council-manager]] form of government. The Mayor is elected at-large for two-year terms, and four City Councilmembers are elected to staggered four-year terms. The Mayor and City Councilmember positions are non-partisan. Through 2018, the City Councilmembers were elected on an at-large basis. In April 2019, the City Council voted to transition to a district-based election system for the four City Councilmembers, beginning with the November 2020 municipal election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moorparkca.gov/799/District-Based-Elections|title=District-Based Elections {{!}} Moorpark, CA - Official Website|website=www.moorparkca.gov|access-date=August 8, 2019}}</ref> In the November 2020 election, Daniel Groff (District 2, Western Moorpark) and Dr. Antonio Castro (District 4, Downtown/Central Moorpark) became the first two Moorpark City Councilmembers elected to represent districts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/03/moorpark-2020-election-results-parvin-leads-mayor/6115101002/|title=Election 2020 results: Parvin leads for Moorpark mayor; Groff, Castro on council {{!}} Moorpark, CA - Official Website|publisher=vcstar.com|access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref>

The city government operates municipal facilities throughout the community, including the Moorpark City Library, Moorpark Active Adult Center, Arroyo Vista Recreation Center and Community Park, Ruben Castro Human Services Facility, Moorpark Public Services Facility, and the Moorpark Police Services Center, which contains offices for the [[Ventura County Sheriff's Office]] and the [[California Highway Patrol]]. The [[Ventura County Fire Department]] provides fire protection for Moorpark, with two fire stations in the city.

In the [[California State Legislature]], Moorpark is in the [[California's 27th State Senate district|27th Senate District]], represented by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Henry Stern (California politician)|Henry Stern]], and in the [[California's 44th State Assembly district|44th Assembly District]], represented by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Jacqui Irwin]]. In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Moorpark is represented by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Julia Brownley]] in [[California's 26th congressional district]].

In October 2020, there were 23,290 registered voters in Moorpark, with 8,845 registered as Democrats (38.0%), 8,045 registered as Republicans (34.5%), 4,993 registered with no party preference (21.4%), and the remainder split among other parties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ventura-15-Day-Close-Report-of-Registration-County-Summary.pdf|title=Report of Registration County Summary|date=October 19, 2020|website=California Secretary of State|access-date=December 10, 2020}}</ref>

==Education==
Moorpark is served by [[Moorpark Unified School District]] which includes [[Moorpark High School]].

Additionally, there is [[The High School at Moorpark College]], a middle college located on the [[Moorpark College]] campus. In this program, students take English and Social Studies classes at the high school level and Math, Science, Foreign Language and other electives at Moorpark College to fulfill the requirements for graduation and the associate degree simultaneously.<ref>{{Cite web |title=High School at Moorpark College |url=https://hsmc-moorpark-ca.schoolloop.com/ |access-date=December 23, 2022 |website=hsmc-moorpark-ca.schoolloop.com}}</ref>

===Moorpark College===
{{further|Moorpark College}}

Moorpark is the home of Moorpark College, a public community college and part of the [[Ventura County Community College District]]. Moorpark College is ranked the highest among the [[California Community Colleges]] for degree completion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Angelo |first=Alexa |title=Moorpark College has the highest completion rate in the state |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/education/2018/09/03/moorpark-college-completion-rate-state/948490002/ |access-date=December 23, 2022 |date=September 3, 2018|website=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}</ref> Moorpark College is also home to America's Teaching Zoo, the Charles Temple Observatory, and the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center, each used for classes and community events.

==Transportation==
{{See also|Moorpark station}}
* The city is serviced by [[Amtrak California]]'s ''[[Pacific Surfliner]]'' and by [[Metrolink (California)|Metrolink]]'s [[Ventura County Line]] commuter rail system with service to Los Angeles, with a train station located on High Street in the center of the city.<ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 108">{{cite book|last1=McCormack|first1=Don|date=1999|title=McCormack's Guides Santa Barbara and Ventura 2000|publisher=McCormacks Guides|page=[https://archive.org/details/mccormacksguides00donm_0/page/108 108]|isbn=9781929365098|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/mccormacksguides00donm_0/page/108}}</ref>
* The city of Moorpark has a mass transit bus system, known as the Moorpark City Transit. [[VCTC Intercity]] provides intercity bus services between Moorpark and the rest of Ventura County.

===Major highways===
[[File:CA 118 Moorpark.jpg|thumb|[[California State Route 118|SR&nbsp;118]] just before the intersection with [[California State Route 23|SR&nbsp;23]] in Moorpark]]
* [[File:California 118.svg|20px]] [[California State Highway 118]]
* [[File:California 23.svg|20px]] [[California State Highway 23]]

==Public safety==
===Law enforcement===
The [[Ventura County Sheriff's Office]] provides law enforcement services for the city.<ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 108"/>

===Crime===
Moorpark had the lowest crime rates in [[Ventura County, California|Ventura County]] according to public crime statistics in 2000,<ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 108"/> and according to [[Ventura County Sheriff's Office|Ventura County Sheriff's Department]] statistics from 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mpacorn.com/articles/moorpark-is-safest-city-in-county/|title=Moorpark is safest city in county - Moorpark Acorn|date=March 3, 2006|website=mpacorn.com|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref> [[The FBI]] has ranked Moorpark as one of California's safest cities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-feb-18-me-moorpark18-story.html|title=FBI Ranks Moorpark 7th-Safest Among State's Smaller Cities|first=Daryl|last=Kelley|date=February 18, 2002|access-date=April 12, 2018|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> It was ranked California's 8th safest city in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mpacorn.com/articles/moorpark-maintains-status-as-safe-city/|title=Moorpark maintains status as safe city - Moorpark Acorn|date=June 23, 2017|website=mpacorn.com|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref> No homicides were recorded in 2017 nor 2018. The 2018 FBI [[Uniform Crime Report]] reported a near record-low crime level.

=== Volunteers in Policing ===
The City provides a "Volunteers in Policing" (VIP) program that formally engages citizens in supporting the police department and the community that began in 1994.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://archive.vcstar.com/news/volunteers-help-keep-moorpark-safe-ep-363760763-352113961.html/|title=Volunteers help keep Moorpark safe|last=Willer-Allred|first=Michele|date=March 28, 2012|work=Ventura County Star|access-date=October 23, 2019}}</ref> In 1994 the program began with an attempt to open a police storefront run by the Volunteers in policing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-19-me-17506-story.html|title=MOORPARK : Volunteers Sought for Police Storefront|last=Hadly|first=Scott|date=July 19, 1994|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=October 23, 2019}}</ref> Now the volunteers do a wide variety of non-dangerous tasks in an effort to assist the local sheriff's department including: parking enforcement, wellness checks, and traffic enforcement.<ref name=":0" />

==In popular culture==
A number of movies have been filmed in Moorpark. ''[[Kings Row]]'' (1942) starring [[Ronald Reagan]] featured a scene filmed at Spring Road and Los Angeles Avenue. The film ''[[Paranormal Activity 3]]'' has a portion taking place in Moorpark.<ref name="gunter" /> J.J. Gittes ([[Jack Nicholson]]) gets shot at an orchard in a scene in ''[[Chinatown (1974 film)|Chinatown]]'' (1974), which was shot at Trident Ranch.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://la.curbed.com/maps/chinatown-filming-location-map|title=The ultimate 'Chinatown' filming location map of Los Angeles|date=June 19, 2014|work=Curbed|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref> The big game scene in ''[[The Best of Times (1986 film)|The Best of Times]]'' (1986) was shot at Moorpark Memorial High School, while scenes in ''[[The Great Man's Lady]]'' (1942) were filmed at [[Joel McCrea]]'s ranch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/76899/the-great-mans-lady#notes|title=The Great Man's Lady (1942) - Notes - TCM.com|website=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref> Scenes from the TV series ''[[Super Soul Sunday]]'' starring [[Oprah Winfrey]] are filmed at Apricot Lane Farms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apricotlanefarms.com/our-media/|title=Film & Photos - Apricot Lane Farms|website=apricotlanefarms.com|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref> In 2018, the documentary [[The Biggest Little Farm]] was released, telling the story of Apricot Lane Farms.<ref name="neon">[https://variety.com/2018/film/markets-festivals/toronto-neon-documentary-the-biggest-little-farm-1202936417/ "Toronto: Neon Lands Documentary ‘The Biggest Little Farm’"]. ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', September 11, 2018.</ref> A special, "The Biggest Little Farm: The Return", was released in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pennacchio |first=George |date=April 22, 2022 |title='The Biggest Little Farm: The Return' marks a new look at a Ventura County farming couple |url=https://abc7.com/biggest-little-farm-disney-earth-month-ventura-county/11778569/ |access-date=April 23, 2022 |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |language=en}}</ref> The Disney movie Magic Camp has scenes filmed in the High Street Arts Center on High Street.

In 2016, Mike Winters, the Vice President and Historian of the Moorpark Historical Society, published a revised history of Moorpark that covers the years from Moorpark's beginnings to the 1930s. The book, published by [[Arcadia Publishing]] is entitled ''Images of America: Moorpark''.

==Notable people==
<!--Each entry needs a reliable source stating that the person lived in Moorpark-->
* [[Brian Blechen]], professional football player for the [[Carolina Panthers]]
* [[Kelli Berglund]], actress
* [[Walter Brennan]], screen actor<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.death-record.com/l/174204115/Walter-Brennan|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628234555/http://www.death-record.com/l/174204115/Walter-Brennan|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 28, 2013|title=Walter Brennan}}</ref>
* [[John Chester]], documentary filmmaker, TV director, and cinematographer
* [[Jan Ebeling]], German-American equestrian, who competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics
* [[Sean Gilmartin]], MLB pitcher
* [[Tim Hanshaw]], former NFL player (1995 drafted in the 4th round by the [[San Francisco 49ers]])
* [[Rick Jason]], actor
* [[Drake London]], wide receiver for the [[Atlanta Falcons]]
* [[Zach Penprase]] (born 1985), [[Israeli-American]] baseball player for the [[Israel national baseball team|Israel National Baseball Team]]
* [[Dennis Pitta]], former professional football player
* [[Attach (video gamer)|Dillon "Attach" Price]] (born 1997), professional ''[[Call of Duty]]'' player<!-- reference in article-->
* [[Gary Sinise]], actor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/gary-sinises-house-3/|title=Gary Sinise's house in Moorpark, CA (#4)|date=January 22, 2015|website=virtualglobetrotting.com|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Paul Winchell]], ventriloquist, inventor, and the voice of [[Tigger]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jun-26-me-winchell26-story.html|title=Paul Winchell, 82; the Voice of Tigger Gained Fame as Ventriloquist|first=Myrna|last=Oliver|date=June 26, 2005|access-date=April 12, 2018|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Chaparral Middle School (Moorpark)]]
* [[Mesa Verde Middle School (Moorpark)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.moorparkchamber.com Moorpark Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.moorparkhistoricalsociety.org/ Moorpark Historical Society]

{{Geographic location
 | title = '''Destinations from Moorpark'''
 | Centre =    Moorpark
 | North =     Unincorporated Ventura County
 | Northeast =
 | East =      [[Simi Valley, California|Simi Valley]]
 | Southeast = Unincorporated Ventura County
 | South =     [[Thousand Oaks, California|Thousand Oaks]]
 | Southwest = [[Camarillo, California|Camarillo]]
 | West =      [[Somis, California|Somis]]
 | Northwest = Unincorporated Ventura County
}}
{{Ventura County, California}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Moorpark, California| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Ventura County, California]]
[[Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1983]]