Orange County, California

Orange County, California, often called O.C., is a busy place in the Greater Los Angeles area of Southern California. It is very crowded. Big cities like Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Irvine make it a lively spot.

The county is a fun place to visit, with famous spots like the Disneyland Resort and Knott's Berry Farm. It also has beautiful beaches and important places like the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum and the University of California, Irvine.

History

Main articles: History of Orange County, California; Ranchos of Los Angeles County; and Ranchos of Orange County

The history of Orange County, California, goes back thousands of years. First, the Acjachemen people lived there. Later, other tribes such as the Juaneño and Gabrielino moved in. When Spanish colonization began in 1769, missions like Mission San Juan Capistrano were built.

After California became part of the United States, the area grew. The Gold Rush helped local farms. Towns like Anaheim were founded, and railroads arrived in the 1870s, bringing more people. Orange County became its own in 1889, with Santa Ana as its center.

During World War II, the area grew more. In the 1950s, many farms turned into neighborhoods, and cities grew quickly. The Disneyland Resort opened in 1955, helping tourism grow.

Geography

See also: List of rivers of Orange County, California

Orange County has a total area of 948 square miles, with 791 square miles of land and 157 square miles of water. It is the smallest county by area in Southern California. The average yearly temperature is around 68 °F.

Orange County is surrounded by water and other counties. It is next to the Pacific Ocean on the southwest, Los Angeles County on the north, San Bernardino County on the northeast, Riverside County on the east, and San Diego County on the southeast.

Regions of Orange County

Orange County is sometimes split into northern and southern parts. These two areas are different in many ways. A common boundary between them is the Costa Mesa Freeway.

The northern part, including cities like Anaheim, Fullerton, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana, was developed first. This area has more Hispanic and Asian families and is more crowded. It is mostly flat but rises into the Santa Ana Mountains in the northeast.

The southern part is generally wealthier and more residential. It includes cities such as Irvine, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach. Irvine is special because it is a big center for technology and education.

Another area is the Orange Coast, which includes six cities next to the Pacific Ocean.

Commercial districts and edge cities

See also: Irvine Spectrum and South Coast Plaza–John Wayne Airport edge city

Older cities in the north have traditional downtown areas. But most business activity happens in newer commercial areas further south. These include:

• Anaheim–Santa Ana, along Interstate 5 between Disneyland and Downtown Santa Ana,
• The South Coast Metro, along Interstate 405 and including South Coast Plaza, John Wayne Airport, and the Irvine Business Complex; and
• Irvine Spectrum in eastern Irvine, where I-5 and I-405 meet.

National protected areas

• Cleveland National Forest (part)
• Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 3,186,989. The median age was 39.0 years. Many residents were under 18 and some were aged 65 or older.

People were from many backgrounds, including White, African American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, other races, and two or more races. Many were Hispanic or Latino.

Most people lived in cities, with only a few in the countryside. There were many homes, some with families and others with just one person. There were also many places to live, some empty and others rented or owned.

Racial / Ethnic Profile of places in Orange County, California

2010 census

The 2010 United States census reported that Orange County had a population of 3,010,232. Many people were White, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino.

There were large groups from Mexico, Vietnam, Korea, and other countries. Santa Ana had many Hispanic or Latino people, especially those of Mexican-American background. The Asian community included many Vietnamese, Koreans, Chinese, and Filipinos. Orange County had many Asian Americans, more than any other area in Southern California.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,846,289 people living in the county. Many people spoke languages other than English at home, such as Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, and Tagalog.

Many families lived together, and some people lived alone. The county had many different cultures and languages. By 2009, almost half of the residents spoke a language other than English at home. Many people were born in other countries.

The median income for a household was $61,899, and for a family, it was $75,700. Some families lived below the poverty line.

People from many places lived in Orange County, including Mexico, Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines, China, India, Iran, Japan, and El Salvador.

Government

Main article: Government of Orange County, California

The Government of Orange County works as a charter county. It follows the California Constitution and local rules. Santa Ana is the main city where leaders meet.

The county has leaders chosen by voters. This includes a five-member board of supervisors and officers like the sheriff and treasurer. These leaders help manage money and workers. They also watch over groups that keep people safe, help families, and care for the environment.

Schools are managed by the County Superintendent of Schools and elected leaders, separate from the main county government.

Politics

Voter registration data is from July 19, 2022. The breakdown is:

1. Democratic (37.4%)
2. Republican (33.3%)
3. No Party Preference (23.6%)
4. American Independent (3.40%)
5. Libertarian (1.20%)
6. Green (0.30%)
7. Other Parties (0.80%)

Political history

For much of the 20th century and into the early 2010s, Orange County was known for its support of the Republican Party. The county often voted for Republican candidates, including Barry Goldwater in 1964.

Starting with the 2008 election, the county began shifting toward the Democratic Party. By 2016, Hillary Clinton became the first Democrat since 1936 to win the county in a presidential election. In 2018, the Democratic Party gained control of every Congressional seat in the county.

The number of registered Democrats eventually passed Republicans in August 2019. As of 2023, Democratic registration was at 37.5%, while Republican registration was at 33%. In 2020, Joe Biden won the county again, and in 2024, the county voted for Kamala Harris.

Overview

As of February 10, 2019, Orange County had over 1.5 million registered voters. About 34% were registered Republicans, and 33.3% were registered Democrats. An additional 28.5% declined to state a political party.

The county has been home to many notable Republican figures, including President Richard Nixon, who was born in Yorba Linda and lived in Fullerton and San Clemente. Despite recent shifts toward Democrats in presidential elections, many smaller cities in the county still tend to vote Republican.

Voter registration (2020 census)

Cities by population and voter registration (2020 census)

Former congressional districts

Education

Further information: List of school districts in Orange County, California

Orange County has many colleges and universities. Some schools from other places also have small campuses here, like the University of Southern California, National University, Pepperdine University, and Springfield College.

The Orange County Department of Education helps manage 28 school districts.

Economy

Orange County has many important companies. Some famous businesses have their main offices there, like Ingram Micro and Chipotle Mexican Grill in Irvine, and Pacific Life in Newport Beach. The area also has technology companies and international businesses.

Shopping is a big part of the local economy. South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa is one of the largest shopping malls in the United States. Other popular places to shop include Brea Mall, Fashion Island in Newport Beach, and many more.

Tourism is very important, especially in Anaheim. The Disneyland Resort is one of the most visited theme parks in the world, and Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park attracts millions of visitors each year. The area has many attractions, including beaches, hiking trails, and shopping centers.

Arts and culture

Orange County, California, has a warm Mediterranean climate and many beautiful beaches, which attract lots of visitors each year. Huntington Beach is famous for surfing and is called Surf City USA. It has many surfing competitions, and “The Wedge” in Newport Beach is a popular spot for water sports.

The county is also home to famous theme parks like Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, and Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. After closing for a while, Wild Rivers in Irvine reopened in 2022, making Orange County home to three water parks, along with Soak City in Buena Park and Great Wolf Lodge in Anaheim.

The Old Towne, Orange Historic District keeps its 1950s style and was even in a movie called That Thing You Do!.

Religion

Orange County has many different places of worship. Some well-known ones include the Newport Beach California Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, which is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, and several large Jewish synagogues in Irvine and other cities. There are also many Islamic centers, Buddhist temples, and other religious groups that call Orange County home.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Orange County, California

Huntington Beach is a popular spot for big sports events like the U.S. Open of Surfing, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball, and the Vans World Championship of Skateboarding. Irvine is home to the headquarters of USA Water Polo. Orange County has many outdoor activities, including surfing, skateboarding, mountain biking, cycling, climbing, hiking, kayaking, sailing, and sand volleyball.

Orange County has a Major League Baseball team called the Los Angeles Angels. The Anaheim Ducks, a National Hockey League team, won a major title. The Toshiba Classic, a golf tournament, happens every March. Orange County SC is the area's only professional soccer team.

The Los Angeles Chargers football team first trained in Orange County in 1960. The Los Angeles Rams also played there for a while. The Los Angeles Clippers basketball team played some games in Orange County during the 1990s.

Media

Orange County gets its TV and radio from media in Los Angeles. Two TV stations are based here: KOCE-TV, a main PBS station, and KDOC-TV, a Tri-State Christian Television station.

Some radio stations are located in Orange County. KYLA 92.7 FM plays Christian music. KSBR 88.5 FM features jazz music and news. KUCI 88.9 FM is a college radio station from UC Irvine. KWIZ 96.7 FM, based in Santa Ana, plays regional Mexican music. KWVE-FM 107.9 is owned by the Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa and is the main emergency alert station for the county. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim run a sports radio station called KLAA. KX 93.5 FM from Laguna Beach plays mostly alternative rock.

News about the county is covered mainly by the Orange County Register and Voice of OC. The OC Weekly was an alternative news paper, and Excélsior is a Spanish-language paper. Some areas are covered by the Los Angeles Times’s Daily Pilot edition. Orange Coast is a lifestyle magazine that has been published since 1974. OC Music Magazine serves local musicians and artists.

Transportation

Transit in Orange County is managed by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). OCTA runs the county's bus system and helps build and maintain streets, highways, and freeways. It also oversees taxi services, keeps special toll lanes on California State Route 91, and works with Southern California's Metrolink to offer commuter rail on three lines: the Orange County Line, the 91/Perris Valley Line, and the Inland Empire–Orange County Line. OCTA also owns the land for the Surf Line from near Trestles Bridge to Fullerton Station.

The area relies on three major highways: the Santa Ana Freeway (I-5), the San Diego Freeway (I-405 and I-5 south of Irvine), and the San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605). Other important roads include several state routes running in different directions across the county.

The bus system has many stops and lines, serving many people each day. The buses are being updated to use cleaner energy. OCTA also offers special bus services for people who need help getting around.

Metrolink has run three train lines through Orange County since 1992, with many trains each day. The Pacific Surfliner also stops at several stations in the county. A new streetcar line connecting parts of Santa Ana is being built and will open in 2026.

Ferry services operate in Newport Harbor and connect to islands like Balboa Island and Avalon. The main airport is John Wayne Airport, though many people also use Los Angeles International Airport for more flight options.

Communities

Cities

Here are the cities in Orange County:

• Aliso Viejo
• Anaheim
• Brea
• Buena Park
• Costa Mesa
• Cypress
• Dana Point
• Fountain Valley
• Fullerton
• Garden Grove
• Huntington Beach
• Irvine
• La Habra
• La Palma
• Laguna Beach
• Laguna Hills
• Laguna Niguel
• Laguna Woods
• Lake Forest
• Los Alamitos
• Mission Viejo
• Newport Beach
• Orange
• Placentia
• Rancho Santa Margarita
• San Clemente
• San Juan Capistrano
• Santa Ana (county seat)
• Seal Beach
• Stanton
• Tustin
• Villa Park
• Westminster
• Yorba Linda

Unincorporated communities

These places are not inside any city limits and are part of the county itself:

• Anaheim Island
• Coto de Caza CDP
• El Modena CDP
• Emerald Bay
• Ladera Ranch CDP
• Las Flores CDP
• Midway City CDP
• Modjeska CDP
• North Tustin CDP
  • Cowan Heights
  • Lemon Heights
  • Panorama Heights
• Olive
• Orange Park Acres CDP
• Rancho Mission Viejo CDP
• Rossmoor CDP
• Santiago Canyon
• Silverado CDP
• Trabuco Canyon CDP
• Williams Canyon CDP

Planned communities

Orange County has many large planned communities. About 30 percent of the county was built this way. Some well-known planned communities include Irvine, Coto de Caza, Anaheim Hills, Tustin Ranch, Tustin Legacy, Ladera Ranch, Talega, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Mission Viejo. Irvine is famous for being a well-planned city.

In culture

Orange County is a popular place for stories and movies. The city of San Juan Capistrano is where the first story about Zorro, called The Curse of Capistrano, was set. This story was written by Johnston McCulley in 1919.

Famous books like A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick and the Three Californias trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson are set here, too. Many exciting novels by Dean Koontz, who lives in Newport Beach, take place in Orange County.

The area has been featured on television. Shows like the Fox drama The O.C., the Fox sitcom Arrested Development, and the Bravo reality show The Real Housewives of Orange County are all set in Orange County. These programs often show the busy lives of some people who live there.