Wikipedia

Laguna Hills, California

Laguna Hills (/ləˈɡuːnə/; laguna being Spanish for 'lagoon') is a city in southern Orange County, California, United States. Its name refers to its proximity to Laguna Canyon and the much older Laguna Beach. Other newer cities nearby—Laguna Niguel and Laguna Woods—are similarly named. The population was 31,374 at the 2020 census.

Laguna Hills, California
City
Laguna Hills Civic Center from west
Laguna Hills Civic Center from west
Official seal of Laguna Hills, California
Seal
Location of Laguna Hills in Orange County, California.
Location of Laguna Hills in Orange County, California.
Laguna Hills, California is located in the United States
Laguna Hills, California
Laguna Hills, California
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 33°35′59″N 117°41′58″W / 33.59972°N 117.69944°W / 33.59972; -117.69944
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyOrange
IncorporatedDecember 20, 1991[1]
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorDave Wheeler
 • Mayor Pro TemJanine Heft
 • City CouncilDon Caskey
Erica Pezold
Don Sedgwick
 • City ManagerJarad Hildenbrand
Area
[2]
 • Total6.57 sq mi (17.02 km2)
 • Land6.55 sq mi (16.96 km2)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.06 km2)  0.37%
Elevation
[3]
364 ft (111 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • Total31,374
 • Density4,800/sq mi (1,800/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Codes
92637, 92653–92654, 92656
Area code949
FIPS code06-39220
GNIS feature ID1667917
Websiteci.laguna-hills.ca.us

Geography

edit

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17 km2). 6.7 square miles (17 km2) of it is land and 0.025 square miles (0.065 km2) of it (0.37%) is water.

History

edit

Laguna Hills is built on one of the major land grants developed during the rancho era. Following Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, those who had served in the government or who had friends in authority, were given vast lands for cattle grazing. Rancho Lomas de Santiago, Rancho San Joaquin, and Rancho Niguel covered much of the western portion of the Saddleback Valley. Don Juan Avila was granted the 13,000-acre Rancho Niguel on which Laguna Hills is located.

In 1894, Lewis Moulton purchased Rancho Niguel from Don Juan Avila and increased the original grant to 22,000 acres (89 km2). Moulton and his partner, Jean Piedra Daguerre, used the ranch to raise sheep and cattle. The Moulton Ranch was eventually subdivided in the early 1960s, and part of the division became today's Laguna Hills.

Incorporation efforts began in 1987 and on March 5, 1991, 86% of the residents voted in favor of forming the City of Laguna Hills. On December 20, 1991, Laguna Hills officially became a City. Subsequent annexations have included the North Laguna Hills (1996) and the "Westside Annexation" (2000) areas. The latter included 149 acres (0.60 km2) of residential land, including the Aliso Viejo Community Association's Sheep Hills Park.[6]

In 2004, Laguna Hills' City Hall was moved to an existing office building at 24035 El Toro Road, which was bought and renovated by the city. The city also rents out commercial space in the building, providing the city with a positive net income.[7]

Transportation

edit

Roads

edit

  Interstate 5 travels along the eastern border of Laguna Hills, forming the border with Lake Forest and Mission Viejo. I-5 has five interchanges in the city, from south to north: Oso Parkway, La Paz Road, Alicia Parkway, El Toro Road (Highway S18), and Lake Forest Drive.

  County Route S18, also known as El Toro Road, is a major road in Laguna Hills, encompassing the border of Laguna Hills at the 5 Freeway, up to the 73 Toll Road.

In addition to the highways listed above, Alicia Parkway and Oso Parkway (which turns into Pacific Park Drive at the Laguna Hills-Aliso Viejo border) are major north-south thoroughfares and Moulton Parkway is a major east-west thoroughfare.

Demographics

edit
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
200031,178—
201030,344−2.7%
202031,3743.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

2020

edit
Laguna Hills city, California – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[9] Pop 2010[10] Pop 2020[11] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 21,471 18,725 16,849 68.87% 61.71% 53.70%
Black or African American alone (NH) 404 373 420 1.30% 1.23% 1.34%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 77 53 32 0.25% 0.17% 0.10%
Asian alone (NH) 3,153 3,790 4,715 10.11% 12.49% 15.03%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 45 45 41 0.14% 0.15% 0.13%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 73 65 173 0.23% 0.21% 0.55%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 842 1,051 1,655 2.70% 3.46% 5.28%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5,113 6,242 7,489 16.40% 20.57% 23.87%
Total 31,178 30,344 31,374 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2010

edit

The 2010 United States Census[12] reported that Laguna Hills had a population of 30,344. The population density was 4,532.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,750.0/km2). The racial makeup of Laguna Hills was 22,045 (72.7%) White (61.7% Non-Hispanic White),[13] 420 (1.4%) African American, 101 (0.3%) Native American, 3,829 (12.6%) Asian, 58 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 2,470 (8.1%) from other races, and 1,421 (4.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6,242 persons (20.6%).

 
The Taj Mahal Medical Center has been a local landmark since 1964

The Census reported that 29,975 people (98.8% of the population) lived in households, 233 (0.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 136 (0.4%) were institutionalized.

There were 10,469 households, of which 3,637 (34.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 6,278 (60.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 983 (9.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 472 (4.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 445 (4.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 101 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,041 households (19.5%) were made up of individuals, and 822 (7.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86. There were 7,733 families (73.9% of all households); the average family size was 3.25.

6,762 people (22.3%) were under the age of 18; 2,617 people (8.6%) aged 18 to 24; 7,638 people (25.2%) aged 25 to 44; 9,437 people (31.1%) aged 45 to 64; and 3,890 people (12.8%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.

There were 11,046 housing units at an average density of 1,649.9 per square mile (637.0/km2), of which 7,820 (74.7%) were owner-occupied, and 2,649 (25.3%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 11.2%. 22,307 people (73.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 7,668 people (25.3%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

edit
 
Part of the Laguna Hills Civic Center facade facing El Toro Road

At the 2000 census,[14] there were 31,178 people, 10,895 households and 7,942 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,911.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,896.2/km2). There were 11,303 housing units at an average density of 1,780.4 per square mile (687.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 76.83% White, 1.38% African American, 0.44% Native American, 10.20% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 7.19% from other races, and 3.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.40% of the population.

There were 10,895 households, of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.29.

26.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.

According to a 2007 estimate, the median household income was $89,781 and the median family income was $102,191.[15] Males had a median income of $59,144 versus $38,761 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,133. About 3.6% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government

edit
Laguna Hills city vote
by party in presidential elections
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020[16] 51.98% 9,129 46.13% 8,102 1.90% 333
2016[17] 45.95% 6,647 47.31% 6,844 6.75% 976
2012[18] 40.67% 5,755 57.12% 8,083 2.21% 313
2008[19] 44.69% 6,557 53.25% 7,812 2.06% 302
2004[20] 36.12% 5,019 62.68% 8,711 1.20% 167
2000[21] 35.90% 4,328 60.37% 7,278 3.73% 449
1996[22] 33.87% 3,784 56.63% 6,326 9.50% 1,061
1992[23] 26.69% 2,778 48.92% 5,091 24.39% 2,538

In the California State Legislature, Laguna Hills is in the 38th Senate District, represented by Democrat Catherine Blakespear, and in the 72nd Assembly District, represented by Republican Diane Dixon.[24]

In the United States House of Representatives, Laguna Hills is split between California's 40th congressional district, represented by Republican Young Kim,[25] and California's 47th congressional district, represented by Democrat Katie Porter.[26]

Laguna Hills is historically a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. In 2020, however, Joe Biden became the first Democratic presidential nominee to win the city since its incorporation.

According to the California Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2019, Laguna Hills has 18,217 registered voters. Of those, 7,002 (38.44%) are registered Republicans, 5,261 (28.88%) are registered Democrats, and 5,143 (28.23%) have no political party preference/are independents.[27]

The Laguna Hills Civic Center was an existing office building at 24035 El Toro Road – near the Laguna Hills Mall – which was bought and totally renovated by the city. The city moved its City Hall there in 2004, but also rents out space in the building on a commercial basis, providing the city with a positive net income on the building.[7]

 
The DMV office in Laguna Hills

Laguna Hills is home to one of the California DMV field offices, where driving tests and other services are administered. The office serves much of south Orange County as the only other location in the region is in San Clemente.[28]

Emergency services

edit

Fire protection in Laguna Hills is provided by the Orange County Fire Authority with ambulance service by Care Ambulance Service. There is also the MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, a hospital equipped with a full emergency room. Law enforcement is provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Economy

edit

Centers of economic activity include:

Education

edit

Laguna Hills is served by the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. Laguna Hills students attend a variety of high performing elementary schools; Lomarena Elementary School, San Joaquin Elementary School and Valencia Elementary School. Laguna Hills middle schools are La Paz Intermediate School and Los Alisos Intermediate School in neighboring Mission Viejo. The city has its own high school, Laguna Hills High School, the smallest school in the district built in 1978 and one of the smallest in south Orange County with fewer than 1,700 students. LHHS has been named a National Blue Ribbon School and a California Distinguished School on multiple occasions.

Notable people

edit

See also

edit
  • Laguna Hills Technology Branch Library

References

edit
  1. ^ "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on November 3, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  3. ^ "Laguna Hills". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  4. ^ "Laguna Hills (city) QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  5. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  6. ^ [1][dead link]
  7. ^ a b Civic Center as a Business Enterprise Archived December 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine on the Strong Cities website
  8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Laguna Hills city, California". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Laguna Hills city, California". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Laguna Hills city, California". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Laguna Hills city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  13. ^ "Laguna Hills (City) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau". Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ "Laguna Hills, California Census Fact Sheet". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 10, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  16. ^ "District Results Report - November 03, 2020" (PDF). www.ocvote.gov. November 25, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  17. ^ "Certified Statement of the Votes Cast at the Presidential General Election, November 8, 2016" (PDF). ocvote.gov. County of Orange, California. December 6, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  18. ^ "Certified Statement of the Votes Cast at the Presidential General Election, November 6, 2012" (PDF). ocvote.gov. County of Orange, California. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  19. ^ "Orange County Statement of Votes" (PDF). ocvote.gov. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  20. ^ "Orange County Statement of Votes (November 2, 2004)" (PDF). ocvote.gov. November 29, 2004. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  21. ^ "Orange County Statement of Votes: General Election (November 7, 2000)" (PDF). ocvote.gov. November 11, 2006. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  22. ^ "Statement of vote: November 5, 1996". California Secretary of State.
  23. ^ "Statement of vote: General Election, November 3, 1992". California Secretary of State.
  24. ^ "California Districts". UC Regents. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  25. ^ "California's 40th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
  26. ^ "California's 47th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
  27. ^ "CA Secretary of State – Report of Registration – February 10, 2019" (PDF). ca.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  28. ^ "Laguna Hills Field Office". CA DMV. State of California. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  29. ^ "Shane Bieber Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  30. ^ "Phil Collen". Def Leppard. October 22, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  31. ^ "Obituary: Russ Conway". the Guardian. November 17, 2000. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  32. ^ "Reginald Arvizu". Discogs (in Russian). Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  33. ^ Inc, InfoWorld Media Group (December 26, 1983). InfoWorld. InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  34. ^ "Mike Hopkins". May 6, 2007. Archived from the original on May 6, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  35. ^ Hevesi, Dennis (November 10, 2011). "Bil Keane, Creator of 'The Family Circus,' Dies at 89". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  36. ^ "Clemson Tigers | Clemson University Athletics". Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  37. ^ "John Lamb Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  38. ^ "The education of a quarterback". ESPN.com. January 13, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  39. ^ "Avenged Sevenfold Returns with 'Nightmare' After Drummer's Death". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Laguna Hills, California.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laguna_Hills,_California&oldid=1255673667"