Situated within San Diego County, Oceanside is currently the third largest city within the area with an estimated population of 183,095. The city together with Vista and Carlsbad together form a tri-city area. The Marine Corps Base Cape Pendleton, is the busiest military base within the country and sits just north of the city. During the year 1970, the population was just 45,000. The huge increase in population caused the area to mostly concentrate on building single family home tracts between the years 1970 and 1990. Ever since then, however, the city has started to concentrate on increasing industrial and commercial growth.
There are a variety of industries and businesses that have decided to build in Oceanside. For people who wish to start up an industrial, office-type or commercial business, the city gives incentive plans to be able to help encourage growth. Furthermore, the property tax is among the lowest within the county. Amongst the largest sectors is the manufacturing of sporting and recreational machines. As well, medtech and biotech businesses are emerging and doing really well. Agriculture is really vital to the San Diego County area and thrives in the beautiful weather. Avocados, citrus fruit, flowers, tomatoes and nursery stock all grow extremely well here.
Oceanside is in an ideal location to raise a family or to build a business. It could maintain its natural beauty while still being extremely accessible to other major cities consisting of San Diego, which is 35 miles south of the city, and Los Angeles, that is 83 miles north. There is an abundance of land available for a reasonable price and plenty of resources left untapped.
Interstate 5, among the main highways, runs directly through the city. Highway 78, which runs southeast and Highway 76, which runs northeast, both lead to Interstate 15.