105-597: Rancho Santa Margarita is a city in Orange County, California , United States. One of Orange County's youngest cities, Rancho Santa Margarita is a master-planned community . The population was 47,853 at the 2010 census, up from 47,214 at the 2000 census. Although it is named for Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores , which was in San Diego County , the city limits fall within the borders of Rancho Mission Viejo . At 20 characters long (22 including spaces), it
210-667: A bedroom community for many who moved to Southern California to work in aerospace and manufacturing. Orange County received a further economic boost in 1955 with the opening of Disneyland . In 1969, Yorba Linda -born Orange County native Richard Nixon became the 37th President of the United States . He established a " Western White House " in San Clemente , in South Orange County, known as La Casa Pacifica , and visited throughout his presidency. In
315-761: A "downtown for Orange County". The 820 acres (330 ha) area undergoing this large-scale redevelopment includes the city's two major sports venues, the Honda Center and Angel Stadium of Anaheim . The 2010 United States Census reported that Orange County had a population of 3,010,232. The racial makeup of Orange County was 1,830,758 (60.8%) White (44.0% non-Hispanic white), 50,744 (1.7%) African American , 18,132 (0.6%) Native American , 537,804 (17.9%) Asian , 9,354 (0.3%) Pacific Islander , 435,641 (14.5%) from other races , and 127,799 (4.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,012,973 persons (33.7%). The Hispanic and Latino population
420-507: A combined question and a MENA category, while also collecting additional detail to enable data disaggregation. The OMB states, "many federal programs are put into effect based on the race data obtained from the decennial census (i.e., promoting equal employment opportunities; assessing racial disparities in health and environmental risks). Race data is also critical for the basic research behind many policy decisions. States require this data to meet legislative redistricting requirements. The data
525-614: A mall named "The City" which was the centerpiece of a planned, 1970s mixed-use development by the same name. There is commercial strip-style development including big box retailers along West Chapman Avenue in Orange, along Harbor Boulevard in Garden Grove, and around Harbor Boulevard and Chapman Avenue in Anaheim. Major hotels line Harbor Boulevard from Disneyland south to Garden Grove. The Orange County Transit Authority studied
630-473: A new county to be named "Orange" as directed by the legislature. The referendum required a 2/3 vote for secession to take place, and on June 4, 1889, the vote was 2,509 to 500 in favor of secession. After the referendum, Los Angeles County filed three lawsuits to prevent the secession, but their attempts were futile. On July 17, 1889, a second referendum was held south of the Coyote Creek to determine if
735-533: A person's origins considered in the census. Thus, in addition to their race or races, all respondents are categorized by membership in one of two ethnic categories, which are "Hispanic or Latino" and "Not Hispanic or Latino." However, the practice of separating "race" and "ethnicity" as different categories has been criticized both by the American Anthropological Association and members of US Commission on Civil Rights . In 1997,
840-462: A population of 47,853. The population density was 3,683.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,422.1/km). The racial makeup of Rancho Santa Margarita was 37,421 (78.2%) White (67.0% Non-Hispanic White), 887 (1.9%) African American , 182 (0.4%) Native American , 4,350 (9.1%) Asian , 102 (0.2%) Pacific Islander , 2,674 (5.6%) from other races , and 2,237 (4.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8,902 persons (18.6%). 31.8% of
945-524: A race. Enumerators were instructed that all people born in Mexico, or whose parents were born in Mexico, should be listed as Mexicans, and not under any other racial category. In prior censuses and in 1940, enumerators were instructed to list Mexican Americans as white, perhaps because some of them were of white background (mainly Spanish), many others mixed white and Native American and some of them Native American. The supplemental American Indian questionnaire
1050-616: A social-political construct for the race or races that respondents consider themselves to be and, "generally reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country". The OMB defines the concept of race as outlined for the census to be not "scientific or anthropological", and takes into account "social and cultural characteristics as well as ancestry", using "appropriate scientific methodologies" that are not "primarily biological or genetic in reference." The race categories include both racial and national-origin groups. Race and ethnicity are considered separate and distinct identities, with
1155-584: A suitable grape-growing region. This group purchased a 1,165 acres (4.71 km ) parcel from Juan Pacifico Ontiveros's Rancho San Juan Cajon de Santa Ana for $ 2 per acre and later formed the Anaheim Vineyard Company . With surveyor George Hansen , two of the wine colony's founders, John Frohling and Charles Kohler, planted 400,000 grapevines along the Santa Ana River ; by 1875, "there were as many as 50 wineries in Anaheim, and
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#17327804220311260-478: A total area of 13.0 square miles (34 km). 13.0 square miles (34 km) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km) of it (0.27%) is water. Rancho Santa Margarita is bordered by the city of Mission Viejo on the west, the census-designated places Coto de Caza and Las Flores on the south, the unincorporated Trabuco Canyon on the north, and the Cleveland National Forest on
1365-673: A transition zone between north and south; when this viewpoint is taken Tustin is also considered to be in Central Orange County. Costa Mesa is sometimes included in South County, although it is located predominantly to the west of the Costa Mesa Freeway and is part of the even street grid network of northern Orange County. Irvine is located in a valley defined by the Santa Ana Mountains and
1470-474: Is also a significant Muslim population in the county. As of the census of 2000, there were 2,846,289 people, 935,287 households, and 667,794 families living in the county, making Orange County the second most populous county in California . The population density was 1,392/km (3,606/sq mi). There were 969,484 housing units at an average density of 474/km (1,228/sq mi). The racial makeup of
1575-471: Is also home to a major research university, the University of California, Irvine (UCI), along with a number of other notable colleges and universities such as Chapman University and Cal State Fullerton . Archeological evidence shows the area to have been inhabited beginning about 9,500 years ago. At the time of European contact, the northern area of what is now Orange County was primarily inhabited by
1680-681: Is bordered on the southwest by the Pacific Ocean , on the north by Los Angeles County , on the northeast by San Bernardino County , on the east by Riverside County , and on the southeast by San Diego County . The northwestern part of the county lies on the coastal plain of the Los Angeles Basin , while the southeastern end rises into the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains . Most of Orange County's population reside in one of two shallow coastal valleys that lie in
1785-534: Is from the Indian subcontinent ) were counted as White. There was a questionnaire that was asked of only a sample of respondents. These questions were as follows: Questions on Spanish or Hispanic Origin or Descent Is this person's origin or descent? Mexican Puerto Rican Cuban Central American Other Spanish No, none of these This year added several options to the race question, including Vietnamese, Indian (East), Guamanian, Samoan, and re-added Aleut. Again,
1890-484: Is home to the county's only natural lakes, Laguna Lakes, which are formed by water rising up against an underground fault. Orange County is sometimes divided into northern and southern regions. There are significant political, demographic, economic and cultural distinctions between North and South Orange County. A popular dividing line between the two regions is the Costa Mesa Freeway . Northern Orange County, including Anaheim, Fullerton , Garden Grove and Santa Ana ,
1995-592: Is included in the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim Metropolitan Statistical Area . The county has 34 incorporated cities. Older cities like Tustin , Santa Ana, Anaheim, Orange , and Fullerton have traditional downtowns dating back to the 19th century, while newer commercial development or " edge cities " stretch along the Interstate 5 (Santa Ana) Freeway between Disneyland and Santa Ana and between South Coast Plaza and
2100-607: Is needed to monitor compliance with the Voting Rights Act by local jurisdictions". Data on ethnic groups are important for putting into effect a number of federal statutes (i.e., enforcing bilingual election rules under the Voting Rights Act and monitoring/enforcing equal employment opportunities under the Civil Rights Act ). Data on ethnic groups is also needed by local governments to run programs and meet legislative requirements (i.e., identifying segments of
2205-440: Is now Huntington Beach , villagers likely used te'aats or plank boats to navigate the coastline, with fish and shellfish being more central to the diet. In inland villages such as Hutuknga , rabbit and mule deer were more central, in addition to acorns from oak trees and seeds from grasses and sage bushes common everywhere. After the 1769 expedition of Gaspar de Portolà , a Spanish expedition led by Junipero Serra named
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#17327804220312310-467: Is predominantly flat, giving way to the Santa Ana Mountains in the Northeast. Southern Orange County is wealthier, more residential, more Republican, predominantly non-Hispanic white, and more recently developed. Irvine, the largest city in the region, is an exception to some of these trends, being not only a major employment center, but also a major tech hub and education center with UCI. Furthermore,
2415-429: Is predominantly of Mexican origin; this group accounts for 28.5% of the county's population, followed by Salvadorans (0.8%), Guatemalans (0.5%), Puerto Ricans (0.4%), Cubans (0.3%), Colombians (0.3%), and Peruvians (0.3%). Santa Ana with its population reportedly 75 percent Hispanic/Latino, is among the most Hispanic/Latino percentage cities in both California and the U.S., esp. of Mexican-American descent. Among
2520-528: Is said to have been named for the citrus fruit in an attempt to promote immigration by suggesting a semi-tropical paradise – a place where anything could grow. In 1919, the California State Legislature redefined the county's boundary with Los Angeles County to no longer follow Coyote Creek but instead along Public Land Survey System township lines instead. Other citrus crops, avocados , and oil extraction were also important to
2625-673: Is the longest city name in California. The area is the ancestral lands of the Acjachemen people. The village of Alume was located in Rancho Santa Margarita, between Trabuco Creek and Tijeras Creek . In 1810, the Trabuco Adobe was constructed near the village as an outpost of Mission San Juan Capistrano . The city seal has the brands of Rancho Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita and Las Flores on
2730-547: Is the second-most-densely-populated county in the state behind San Francisco County . The county's three most-populous cities are Anaheim , Santa Ana , and Irvine , each of which has a population exceeding 300,000. Santa Ana is also the county seat . Six cities in Orange County are on the Pacific coast: Seal Beach , Huntington Beach , Newport Beach , Laguna Beach , Dana Point , and San Clemente . Orange County
2835-458: The 1939 California tropical storm , meant that Orange County was in need of new infrastructure, which was supported by the New Deal . This included the construction of numerous schools, city halls, post offices, parks, libraries, and fire stations, as well as the improvement of road infrastructure throughout Orange County. School segregation between Mexican and white students in Orange County
2940-768: The 71st Assembly District , represented by Republican Kate Sanchez . In the United States House of Representatives , Rancho Santa Margarita is in California's 40th congressional district , represented by Republican Young Kim . According to the California Secretary of State , as of February 10, 2019, Rancho Santa Margarita has 28,462 registered voters. Of those, 11,877 (41.73%) are registered Republicans, 7,511 (26.39%) are registered Democrats, and 7,819 (27.47%) have no political party preference/are independents. Rancho Santa Margarita has voted Republican in every presidential election since
3045-662: The County of Orange ; often known by its initials O.C. ) is a county located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in Southern California , United States. As of the 2020 census , the population was 3,186,989, making it the third-most-populous county in California, the sixth-most-populous in the United States , and more populous than 19 American states and Washington, D.C. Although largely suburban , it
3150-813: The Honda Center – home to the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL ( National Hockey League ), and the Anaheim Convention Center . Health care facilities include CHOC ( Children's Hospital of Orange County ), Kaiser Permanente Health Pavilion (Anaheim), St. Joseph Hospital (Orange) , and the UCI Medical Center . Retail complexes include Anaheim GardenWalk , Anaheim Marketplace (claiming to be the largest indoor swap meet in Orange County with more than 200 vendors), MainPlace Mall , Orange Town & Country, and The Outlets at Orange , originally
3255-717: The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum , Modjeska House , Segerstrom Center for the Arts , Yost Theater , Bowers Museum , Balboa Island , Angel Stadium , Downtown Santa Ana , Crystal Cove Historic District , the Honda Center , the Old Orange County Courthouse , the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks , and several popular beaches along its more than 40 mi (64 km) of coastline. It
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3360-892: The San Joaquin Hills , while much of Southern Orange County is very hilly. Another region of Orange County is the Orange Coast , which includes the six cities bordering the Pacific Ocean. These are, from northwest to southeast: Seal Beach , Huntington Beach , Newport Beach , Laguna Beach , Dana Point and San Clemente , although Seal Beach is sometimes viewed as an extension of neighboring Long Beach in Los Angeles County. Older cities in North Orange County like Santa Ana, Anaheim, Orange and Fullerton have traditional downtowns dating to
3465-557: The Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Railroads . High rates of Anglo migration gradually moved Mexicans into colonias , or segregated ethnic enclaves . After several failed attempts in previous sessions, the California State Legislature passed a bill authorizing the portion of Los Angeles County south of Coyote Creek to hold a referendum on whether to remain part of Los Angeles County or to secede and form
3570-859: The Secretary of State , directed US Marshals to collect data from all 13 original states, and from the Southwest Territory . The census was not conducted in Vermont until 1791, after that state's admission to the Union as the 14th state on March 4 of that year. Some doubt surrounded the numbers, as President George Washington and Thomas Jefferson maintained the population was undercounted. The potential reasons Washington and Jefferson may have thought this could be refusal to participate, poor public transportation and roads, spread-out population, and restraints of current technology. No microdata from
3675-515: The Tongva indigenous people , a part of Tovaangar , while the southern area of the county, below Aliso Creek , was primarily inhabited by the Acjachemen . Both groups lived in villages throughout the area. Large villages were sometimes multiethnic and multilingual , such as Genga , located in what is now Newport Beach . The village was shared by the Tongva and Acjachemen. The village of Puhú
3780-476: The US Constitution and applicable laws. The law required that every household be visited, that completed census schedules be posted in two of the most public places within each jurisdiction, remain for the inspection of all concerned, and that "the aggregate amount of each description of persons" for every district be transmitted to the president . The US Marshals were also responsible for governing
3885-541: The United States census , the US Census Bureau and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) define a set of self-identified categories of race and ethnicity chosen by residents, with which they most closely identify. Residents can indicate their origins alongside their race, and are asked specifically whether they are of Hispanic or Latino origin in a separate question. The racial categories represent
3990-417: The "Color or Race" question was slightly modified, removing the term "Mulatto". Also, there was an inclusion of an "Indian Population Schedule" in which "enumerators were instructed to use a special expanded questionnaire for American Indians living on reservations or in family groups off of reservations." This expanded version included the question "Fraction of person's lineage that is white." The 1910 census
4095-532: The 1790 population census are available, but aggregate data for small areas and their compatible cartographic boundary files, can be downloaded from the National Historical Geographic Information System . However, the categories of "Free white males" of 16 years and upward, including heads of families under 16 years, "Free white females", including heads of families, All other free persons, and "Slaves," existed in
4200-414: The 2000 and 2010 censuses. The following questions were asked of a sample of respondents for the 1990 census : The 1990 census was not designed to capture multiple racial responses, and when individuals marked the "other" race option and provided a multiple write-in. The response was assigned according to the race written first. "For example, a write-in of 'black-white' was assigned a code of 'black,' while
4305-522: The Asian population, 6.1% are Vietnamese, followed by Koreans (2.9%), Chinese (2.7%), Filipinos (2.4%), Indians (1.4%), Japanese (1.1%), Cambodians (0.2%), Pakistanis (0.2%), Thais (0.1%), Indonesians (0.1%), and Laotians (0.1%). According to KPCC in 2014, Orange County has the largest proportion of Asian Americans in Southern California, where one in five residents are Asian American. There
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4410-488: The I-5 Santa Ana Freeway, straddling the city limits of Anaheim , Garden Grove , Orange , and Santa Ana , and in fact stretching between the original downtowns of those four cities. Entertainment and cultural facilities include Disneyland Resort , Angel Stadium , Christ Cathedral (formerly Crystal Cathedral), City National Grove of Anaheim – a live concert venue, Discovery Cube Orange County ,
4515-587: The Irvine Business Complex , and cluster at Irvine Spectrum . Although single-family homes make up the dominant landscape of most of the county, northern and central Orange County is relatively more urbanized and dense as compared to those areas south of Irvine, which are less dense, though still contiguous and primarily suburban rather than exurban . The county is a tourist center, with attractions like Disneyland Resort , Knott's Berry Farm , Mission San Juan Capistrano , Huntington Beach Pier ,
4620-695: The Mendez family were denied enrollment into the 17th Street School in Westminster in 1944, despite their cousins with lighter skin being admitted, and were instead told to enroll at the Hoover Elementary School for Mexican children. In the 1950s, agriculture, such as that involving the boysenberries made famous by Buena Park native Walter Knott , began to decline. However, the county's prosperity soared during this time. The completion of Interstate 5 in 1954 helped make Orange County
4725-613: The Mexican government during the Mexican period in Alta California . Saint Junípero Serra y Ferrer and the early components of the Portolá Expedition arrived in modern-day San Diego , south of present-day Orange County, in mid-late 1769. During these early Mission years, however, the early immigrants continued to rely on imports of both Mexican-grown and Spanish-grown wines; Serra repeatedly complained of
4830-467: The OMB built on the 1997 guidelines and suggested the addition of a Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) racial category and considered combining racial and ethnic categories into one question. In March 2024, the Office of Management and Budget published revisions to Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity that included
4935-405: The OMB issued a Federal Register notice regarding revisions to the standards for the classification of federal data on race and ethnicity. The OMB developed race and ethnic standards in order to provide "consistent data on race and ethnicity throughout the federal government ". The development of the data standards stem in large measure from new responsibilities to enforce civil rights laws. Among
5040-646: The Orange County Sheriff. Fire Protection services are provided through the Orange County Fire Authority. Rancho Santa Margarita is located at 33°38′29″N 117°35′40″W / 33.64139°N 117.59444°W / 33.64139; -117.59444 (33.641518, -117.594524). It occupies much of a high plateau known as Plano Trabuco. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has
5145-543: The Pacific Electric and nephew of Collis Huntington . Transportation further improved with the completion of the State Route and U.S. Route 101 (now mostly Interstate 5 ) in the 1920s. In the 1910s, agriculture in Orange County was largely centered on grains, hay, and potatoes by small farmers, accounting for 60% of the county's exports. The Segerstroms and Irvines once produced so many lima beans that
5250-411: The aerospace industry. Rolling Hills Estates had the longest city name in California with 19 letters until January 1, 2000, when the title was ceded to Rancho Santa Margarita (20 letters) upon the latter's incorporation. The City is a general law city and operates under the council-manager form of government. Rancho Santa Margarita is a contract city. Police services are provided through contract with
5355-436: The age of 18 living in them, 10,144 (60.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,703 (10.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 700 (4.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 747 (4.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 103 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 3,199 households (19.2%) were made up of individuals, and 761 (4.6%) had someone living alone who
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#17327804220315460-715: The area Valle de Santa Ana (Valley of Saint Anne ). On November 1, 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano became the area's first permanent European settlement. Among those who came with Portolá were José Manuel Nieto and José Antonio Yorba . Both these men were given land grants— Rancho Los Nietos and Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana , respectively. The Nieto heirs were granted land in 1834. The Nieto ranches were known as Rancho Los Alamitos , Rancho Las Bolsas , and Rancho Los Coyotes . Yorba heirs Bernardo Yorba and Teodosio Yorba were also granted Rancho Cañón de Santa Ana (Santa Ana Canyon Ranch) and Rancho Lomas de Santiago , respectively. Other ranchos in Orange County were granted by
5565-591: The area falls within the City of Rancho Santa Margarita boundary. Rancho Santa Margarita, like most of southern California, generally has a Mediterranean climate . According to the City's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top 10 employers in the city are: The 2020 United States Census reported a population of 48,119. The racial makeup was 75.5% White , 2.2% African American , 10.9% Asian , and 21.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The 2010 United States Census reported that Rancho Santa Margarita had
5670-573: The basin, the Santa Ana Valley and the Saddleback Valley . The Santa Ana Mountains lie within the eastern boundaries of the county and of the Cleveland National Forest . The high point is Santiago Peak (5,689 ft (1,734 m) ), about 20 mi (32 km) east of Santa Ana. Santiago Peak and nearby Modjeska Peak , just 200 ft (60 m) shorter, form a ridge known as Saddleback , visible from almost everywhere in
5775-592: The border, with artwork containing Santiago Peak in the background. The tower in the foreground symbolizes the Rancho Santa Margarita Lake Tower. Hughes Aircraft Company's Microelectronic Systems Division moved to Rancho Santa Margarita in May 1988 from Irvine. In August 1992, the Hughes plant closed its facilities and moved the division to Carlsbad, California due to budget constraints in
5880-418: The census form. In 1800 and 1810, the age question regarding free white males was more detailed with five cohorts and included All other free persons, except "Indians not taxed", and "Slaves". The 1820 census built on the questions asked in 1810 by asking age questions about slaves. Also the term "colored" entered the census nomenclature. In addition, a question stating "Number of foreigners not naturalized"
5985-418: The census. About one-third of the original census data has been lost or destroyed since documentation. The data was lost in 1790–1830, and included data from Connecticut , Delaware , Georgia , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New York , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , South Carolina , Vermont , and Virginia . However, the census was proven factual and
6090-483: The changes, The OMB issued the instruction to "mark one or more races" after noting evidence of increasing numbers of mixed-race children and wanting to record diversity in a measurable way after having received requests by people who wanted to be able to acknowledge theirs and their children's full ancestry, rather than identifying with only one group. Prior to this decision, the census and other government data collections asked people to report singular races. As of 2023,
6195-403: The city is an Asian plurality (both South and East Asian), and votes reliably Democratic in recent years. Southern Orange County almost always includes Irvine, Newport Beach , and the cities to their southeast, including Lake Forest , Laguna Niguel , Laguna Beach , Mission Viejo , and San Clemente . Alternatively, Irvine and Newport Beach are sometimes seen as Central Orange County, acting as
6300-413: The city of Irvine pledging to be a zero-carbon economy by 2030 and Buena Park , Huntington Beach , and Fullerton pledging to move to 100% clean energy. Residential solar panel installation has rapidly increased, even among middle-income families, as a result of the state's residential solar program which began in 2006. In the 2010s, campaigns to conserve remaining natural areas gained awareness. By
6405-603: The city's incorporation. The city is served by Saddleback Valley Unified School District and the Capistrano Unified School District . The television series The Real Housewives of Orange County , although based in Coto De Caza , is mainly filmed in Rancho Santa Margarita where many of the housewives do business, shopping, commuting, dentistry, and dining. The Dove Canyon, Rancho Cielo, and Robinson Ranch neighborhoods, while all part of
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#17327804220316510-447: The city's wine production topped 1 million gallons annually." Despite later afflictions of both Phylloxera and Pierce's Disease , wine growing is still practiced. A severe drought in the 1860s devastated the prevailing industry, cattle ranching , and much land came into the possession of Richard O'Neill Sr. James Irvine and other land barons . In 1887, silver was discovered in the Santa Ana Mountains , attracting settlers via
6615-429: The city, have a zip code of 92679, although the 92688 ZIP code is far more common in the Rancho Santa Margarita area. A map of Orange County seen in season four of Arrested Development places the fictional Bluth Company -developed community of Sudden Valley northeast of Mission Viejo and Las Flores, in the approximate location of Rancho Santa Margarita. Orange County, California Orange County (officially
6720-434: The corridor as the possible route for a streetcar, a proposal that was dropped in 2018 due to opposition from Anaheim and other city governments. In addition to suburban-style apartment complexes, Anaheim's Platinum Triangle is undergoing transformation from a low-density commercial and industrial zone into a more urban environment with high-density housing, commercial office towers, and retail space. Anaheim envisions it as
6825-399: The county has a total area of 948 sq mi (2,460 km ), of which 791 sq mi (2,050 km ) is land and 157 sq mi (410 km ) (16.6%) is water. It is the smallest county by area in Southern California , being just over 40% the size of the region's next smallest county, Ventura . The average annual temperature is about 68 °F (20 °C). Orange County
6930-538: The county seat of the new county would be Anaheim or Santa Ana, along with an election for every county officer. Santa Ana defeated Anaheim in the referendum. With the referendum having passed, the County of Orange was officially incorporated on August 1, 1889. Since the incorporation of the county, the only geographical changes made to the boundary was when the County and Los Angeles County traded some parcels of land around Coyote Creek to conform to city blocks. The county
7035-506: The county was 64.8% White , 13.6% Asian , 1.7% African American , 0.7% Native American , 0.3% Pacific Islander , 14.8% from other races , and 4.1% from two or more races. 30.8% were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 8.9% were of German , 6.9% English and 6.0% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000 . 58.6% spoke only English at home; 25.3% spoke Spanish , 4.7% Vietnamese , 1.9% Korean , 1.5% Chinese ( Cantonese or Mandarin ) and 1.2% Tagalog . White (U.S. Census) In
7140-558: The county was called "Beanville". By 1920, fruit and nut exports exploded, which led to the increase of industrialized farming and the decline of family farms. For example, by 1917, William Chapman came to own 350,000 acres in northeastern Orange County from the Valencia orange . Around the 1910s and 1920s, most of the barrios of Orange County, such as in Santa Ana, further developed as company towns of Mexican laborers, who worked in
7245-431: The county's shrinking natural areas. In 1994, an investment fund meltdown led to the criminal prosecution of treasurer Robert Citron . The county lost at least $ 1.5 billion through high-risk investments in bonds. The loss was blamed on derivatives by some media reports. On December 6, 1994, the County of Orange declared Chapter 9 bankruptcy, from which it emerged on June 12, 1996. The Orange County bankruptcy
7350-482: The county. The Peralta Hills extend westward from the Santa Ana Mountains through the communities of Anaheim Hills , Orange , and ending in Olive . The Loma Ridge is another prominent feature, running parallel to the Santa Ana Mountains through the central part of the county, separated from the taller mountains to the east by Santiago Canyon . The Santa Ana River is the county's principal watercourse, flowing through
7455-482: The deaths disproportionately occurred in the homeless population . However, deaths were widespread among affluent and poorer areas in Orange County, with the highest at-risk group being Caucasian males between the ages of 45–55. A 2018 study found that supply reduction was not sufficient to preventing deaths. In 2008, a report issued by the Orange County Superior Court found that the county
7560-657: The decision and make sure the federal government treated Hispanics as white. The State Department, the Census Bureau, the Labor Department, and other government agencies therefore made sure to uniformly classify people of Mexican descent as white. This policy encouraged the League of United Latin American Citizens in its quest to minimize discrimination by asserting their whiteness. The 1940 census
7665-536: The design of the population questionnaire. Residents were still listed individually, but a new questionnaire sheet was used for each family. Additionally, this was the first year that the census distinguished among different Asian ethnic groups, such as Japanese and Chinese , due to increased immigration. This census also marked the beginning of the term "race" in the questionnaires. Enumerators were instructed to write "White", "Black", "Mulatto", " Quadroon ", "Octoroon", "Chinese", "Japanese", or " Indian ". During 1900,
7770-561: The early 2020s, some success was found, with the conservation of 24 acres in the West Coyote Hills of a total 510 acres and the Genga/Banning Ranch project moving forward, conserving some 385 acres, which was part of the Tongva village area of Genga . In 2021, the commemorative 1.5 acre Putuidem village opened after years of delays and campaigning by the Acjachemen . According to the U.S. Census Bureau ,
7875-541: The early economy. Orange County benefited from the July 4, 1904, completion of the Pacific Electric Railway , a trolley connecting Los Angeles with Santa Ana and Newport Beach . The link made Orange County an accessible weekend retreat for celebrities of early Hollywood . It was deemed so significant that Pacific City changed its name to Huntington Beach in honor of Henry E. Huntington , president of
7980-423: The east. Vehicular access is provided by California State Route 241 (a toll road), in addition to several surface streets. Santa Margarita Parkway and Antonio Parkway are the city's major thoroughfares, with Avenida De Las Banderas, Avenida Empresa, Avenida De Las Flores, and Alma Aldea being minor thoroughfares. In addition, Alicia Parkway terminates in the city providing access to Mission Viejo. The majority of
8085-456: The existence of most of this data can be confirmed in many secondary sources pertaining to the first census. Census data included the name of the head of the family and categorized inhabitants as: free white males at least 16 years of age (to assess the country's industrial and military potential), free white males under 16 years of age, free white females, all other free persons (reported by sex and color), and slaves . Thomas Jefferson , then
8190-522: The existing John Wayne Airport . But subsequent voter initiatives and court actions caused the airport plan to be permanently shelved. It has developed into the Orange County Great Park and housing. In the 21st century, the social landscape of Orange County has continued to change. The opioid epidemic saw a rise in Orange County, with unintentional overdoses becoming the third highest contributor of deaths by 2014. As in other areas,
8295-487: The free inhabitants schedule about color was a column that was to be left blank if a person were white, marked "B" if a person were black, and marked "M" if a person were mulatto . Slaves were listed by owner, and classified by gender and age, not individually, and the question about color was a column that was to be marked with a "B" if the slave were black and an "M" if mulatto. For 1890, the Census Office changed
8400-488: The industrial orange groves. Poor working conditions resulted in the Citrus Strike of 1936 , in which more than half of the orange industry's workforce, largely Mexican, demanded better working conditions. The strike was heavily repressed, with forced evictions and state-sanctioned violence being used as tactics of suppression. Carey McWilliams referred to the suppression as "the toughest violation of civil rights in
8505-411: The late 1970s, Vietnamese and Latino immigrants began to populate central Orange County. In the 1980s, Orange County had become the second most populous county in California as the population topped two million for the first time. In the 1990s, red foxes became common in Orange County as a non-native mesopredator , with increasing urban development pushing out coyote and mountain lion populations to
8610-440: The late 19th century, with Downtown Santa Ana being the home of the county, state and federal institutions. However, far more commercial activity is concentrated in clusters of newer commercial development located further south in the county's edge cities . The three largest edge cities, from north to south, are: A contiguous strip of commercial development (an edge city ) stretches from Disneyland through to MainPlace Mall along
8715-624: The middle of the county from northeast to southwest. Its major tributary to the south and east is Santiago Creek . Other watercourses within the county include Aliso Creek , San Juan Creek , and Horsethief Creek. In the North, the San Gabriel River also briefly crosses into Orange County and exits into the Pacific on the Los Angeles-Orange County line between the cities of Long Beach and Seal Beach . Laguna Beach
8820-557: The nation." The Los Angeles flood of 1938 devastated some areas of Orange County, with most of the effects being in Santa Ana and Anaheim, which were flooded with six feet of water. As an eight-foot-high rush of water further spilled out of the Santa Ana Canyon , forty-three people were killed in the predominately Mexican communities of Atwood and La Jolla in Placentia . The devastation from this event, as well as from
8925-427: The neighborhoods in Rancho Santa Margarita are maintained by larger homeowners associations including SAMLARC, Dove Canyon, Rancho Cielo, Robinson Ranch, Walden and Trabuco Highlands. Dove Canyon, Trabuco Highlands, Robinson Ranch, Walden and Rancho Cielo were all established before Rancho Santa Margarita was an incorporated city. East of Plano Trabuco Road is designated with a Trabuco Canyon (92679) zip code even though
9030-486: The population possessed a bachelor's degree, with 16.4% possessing a Graduate or Professional Degree. The educational attainment level in Rancho Santa Margarita significantly exceeds the averages throughout the rest of California. The Census reported that 47,851 people (100% of the population) lived in households, 2 (0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized. There were 16,665 households, out of which 7,699 (46.2%) had children under
9135-618: The population who may not be receiving medical services under the Public Health Service Act ; evaluating whether financial institutions are meeting the credit needs of minority populations under the Community Reinvestment Act ). The 1790 United States census was the first census in the history of the United States. The population of the United States was recorded as 3,929,214 as of Census Day, August 2, 1790, as mandated by Article I, Section 2 of
9240-429: The population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 12,114 people (25.3%) lived in rental housing units. During 2009–2013, Rancho Santa Margarita had a median household income of $ 104,113, with 3.9% of the population living below the federal poverty line. In the California State Legislature , Rancho Santa Margarita is in the 38th Senate District , represented by Democrat Catherine Blakespear , and in
9345-483: The process of repeated, labored import. The first grape crop production was produced in 1782 at San Juan Capistrano , with vines potentially brought through supply ships in 1778. Viticulture became an increasingly important crop in Los Angeles and Orange Counties through the subsequent decades. By the 1850s, the regions supported more than 100 vineyards . In 1857, Anaheim was founded by 50 German-Americans (with lineage extending back to Franconia ) in search of
9450-451: The race of interracial persons. A person with both white and black ancestry (termed "blood") was to be recorded as "Negro", no matter the fraction of that lineage (the " one-drop rule "). A person of mixed black and American Indian ancestry was also to be recorded as "Neg" (for "Negro") unless they were considered to be "predominantly" American Indian and accepted as such within the community. A person with both white and American Indian ancestry
9555-511: The racial question, and also removed Hindu and Korean from the race choices. The 1960 census re-added the word "color" to the racial question, and changed "Indian" to "American Indian", as well as adding Hawaiian, Part-Hawaiian, Aleut, and Eskimo. The "Other (print out race)" option was removed. This year's census included "Negro or Black", re-added Korean and the Other race option. East Indians (the term used at that time for people whose ancestry
9660-427: The term "color" was removed from the racial question, and the following questions were asked of a sample of respondents: Questions on Spanish or Hispanic Origin or Descent Is this person of Spanish/Hispanic origin or descent? No, not Spanish/Hispanic Yes, Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano Yes, Puerto Rican Yes, Cuban Yes, other Spanish/Hispanic The racial categories in this year are as they appear in
9765-403: Was 36.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males. There were 17,260 housing units at an average density of 1,328.4 per square mile (512.9/km), of which 11,906 (71.4%) were owner-occupied, and 4,759 (28.6%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.6%. 35,737 people (74.7% of
9870-421: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87. There were 12,547 families (75.3% of all households); the average family size was 3.33. The population was spread out, with 13,879 people (29.0%) under the age of 18, 3,793 people (7.9%) aged 18 to 24, 13,706 people (28.6%) aged 25 to 44, 13,764 people (28.8%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,711 people (5.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
9975-430: Was at the time the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. Land use conflicts arose between established areas in the north and less developed areas in the south. These conflicts were over issues such as construction of new toll roads and the repurposing of a decommissioned air base. El Toro Marine Corps Air Station was designated by a voter measure in 1994 to be developed into an international airport to complement
10080-443: Was back, but in abbreviated form. It featured a question asking if the person was of full or mixed American Indian ancestry. President Franklin D. Roosevelt promoted a Good Neighbor policy that sought better relations with Mexico. In 1935, a federal judge ruled that three Mexican immigrants were ineligible for citizenship because they were not white, as required by federal law. Mexico protested, and Roosevelt decided to circumvent
10185-872: Was experiencing a pet "overpopulation problem," with the growing number of pets leading to an increase in euthanasias at the Orange County Animal Shelter to 13,000 for the year alone. Following the 2016 presidential election , Santa Ana become a sanctuary city for the protection of those immigrants who worked around the legally established process of becoming a legal resident in Orange and other California counties. This created an intense debate in Orange County surrounding politics toward unlawful immigration, with many cities opposing pro-immigration policies. The COVID-19 pandemic in Orange County disproportionately affected lower income and Latino residents. Implementation of renewable energy and climate change awareness in Orange County increased, with
10290-423: Was included. In the 1830 census, a new question, which stated, "The number of White persons who were foreigners not naturalized" was included. The 1850 census had a dramatic shift in the way information about residents was collected. For the first time, free persons were listed individually instead of by head of household. Two questionnaires were used - one for free inhabitants and one for slaves. The question on
10395-539: Was located in what is now Black Star Canyon and was shared by multiple groups, including the Tongva, Acjachemen, Serrano and Payómkawichum . The mother village of the Acjachemen was Putiidhem and is now located in San Juan Capistrano underneath Junipero Serra Catholic High School . For the Tongva , north Orange County was at the southern extent of their village sites. In coastal villages like Lupukngna , at least 3,000 years old located in what
10500-421: Was similar to 1910, but excluded a separate schedule for American Indians. "Hin", "Kor", and "Fil" were also added to the "Color or Race" question, signifying Hindu (Asian Indian), Korean, and Filipino, respectively. The biggest change in this census was in racial classification. Enumerators were instructed to no longer use the "Mulatto" classification. Instead, they were given special instructions for reporting
10605-538: Was similar to that of 1900, but it included a reinsertion of "Mulatto" and a question about the "mother tongue" of foreign-born individuals and individuals with foreign-born parents. "Ot" was also added to signify "other races", with space for a race to be written in. This decade's version of the Indian Population Schedule featured questions asking the individual's proportion of white, black, or American Indian lineage. The 1920 census questionnaire
10710-666: Was the first part of the county to be developed and is culturally closer to neighboring Los Angeles County . This region is more Hispanic (mostly Mexican) and Asian (predominantly Vietnamese and Korean), more densely populated (Santa Ana is the one hundredth and one most densely-populated city in the United States with a population of over 300,000), younger, less wealthy and with higher unemployment. It has more renters and fewer homeowners and generally votes Democratic. There are notable exceptions to these general trends, such as strongly Republican Yorba Linda and affluent Anaheim Hills , North Tustin , and Villa Park . Northern Orange County
10815-415: Was the first to include separate population and housing questionnaires. The race category of "Mexican" was eliminated in 1940, and the population of Mexican descent was counted with the white population. 1940 census data was used for Japanese American internment . The Census Bureau's role was denied for decades, but was finally proven in 2007. The 1950 census questionnaire removed the word "color" from
10920-410: Was to be recorded as American Indian, unless their Indigenous ancestry was small, and they were accepted as white within the community. In all situations in which a person had white and some other racial ancestry, they were to be reported as that other race. People who had minority interracial ancestry were to be reported as the race of their father. For the first and only time, "Mexican" was listed as
11025-411: Was widespread in the mid-1940s, with 80% of Mexican students attending 14 segregated schools. These schools taught Mexican children manual education – or gardening , bootmaking , blacksmithing , and carpentry for Mexican boys and sewing and homemaking for girls – while white schools taught academic preparation. The landmark case Mendez vs. Westminster (1947) desegregated Orange County schools, after
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