Laguna Hills, California
Encyclopedia
Laguna Hills is a city located 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 city has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²). 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²) of it is land and 0.025 square mile (0.06474970275 km²) of it (0.37%) is water.
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 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 22000 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 acre (0.60298214 km²) of residential land, including the Aliso Viejo Community Association's Sheep Hills
Park.
was 4,532.4 per square mile (1,750.0/km²). The racial makeup of Laguna Hills was 22,045 (72.7%) White, 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 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.
, there were 31,178 people, 10,895 households and 7,942 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,911.1 per square mile (1,895.7/km²). There were 11,303 housing units at an average density of 1,780.4 per square mile (687.3/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% of 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. 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.
Laguna Hills is located in the 33rd Senate
District, represented by Republican
Mimi Walters
, and in the 73rd Assembly
District, represented by Republican Diane Harkey
. Federally, Laguna Hills is located in California's 48th congressional district
, which has a Cook PVI
of R +8 and is represented by Republican John Campbell.
The new Laguna Hills Civic Center and City Hall located off El Toro Road in the northernmost section of the city, near the Laguna Hills Mall
and the Nellie Gail Ranch neighborhood.
with ambulance service by Doctor's Ambulance
. Law enforcement is provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Department. There is also the Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, a hospital that is equipped with a full emergency room.
. Laguna Hills students attend a variety of high performing elementary schools, and for middle school attend either La Paz Intermediate School or 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 and one of the smallest in south Orange County with under 1,700 students.
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its name refers to its proximity to Laguna Canyon
Laguna Canyon
Laguna Canyon is a canyon, formerly a water gap, that cuts through the San Joaquin Hills in southern Orange County in the U.S. state of California, directly west of the city of Irvine...
and the much older Laguna Beach. Other newer cities nearby—Laguna Niguel and Laguna Woods—are similarly named.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²). 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²) of it is land and 0.025 square mile (0.06474970275 km²) of it (0.37%) is water.
History
Laguna Hills is built on one of the major land grants developed during the ranchoRanchos of California
The Spanish, and later the Méxican government encouraged settlement of territory now known as California by the establishment of large land grants called ranchos, from which the English ranch is derived. Devoted to raising cattle and sheep, the owners of the ranchos attempted to pattern themselves...
era. Following Mexico's
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
from Spain
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
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 Lomas de Santiago
Rancho Lomas de Santiago was a Mexican land grant given by Mexican Governor Pío Pico to Teodosio Yorba in 1846. The name means "Hills of St. James"...
, Rancho San Joaquin
Rancho San Joaquin
Rancho San Joaquin, the combined Rancho Cienega de las Ranas and Rancho Bolsa de San Joaquin, was a Mexican land grant in present day Orange County, California given to José Antonio Andres Sepúlveda...
, and Rancho Niguel
Rancho Niguel
Rancho Niguel was a Mexican land grant in present day Orange County, California given in 1842 by Governor Juan B. Alvarado to Juan Avila. The rancho was named for a local Indian village called "Niguili." The grant extended along the Pacific coast from Laguna Canyon and Laguna Beach, past Aliso...
covered much of the western portion of the Saddleback Valley
Saddleback Valley
Saddleback Valley is located in South Orange County, California and is home to the cities of Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Lake Forest, among others....
. Don Juan Avila was granted the 13,000 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 22000 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 acre (0.60298214 km²) of residential land, including the Aliso Viejo Community Association's Sheep Hills
Sheep Hills
The Sheep Hills are a mountain range in Orange County, California.-See also:*Category: Hills of California*Category: Peninsular Ranges*Category: Geography of Orange County, California...
Park.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Laguna Hills had a population of 30,344. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,532.4 per square mile (1,750.0/km²). The racial makeup of Laguna Hills was 22,045 (72.7%) White, 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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1,421 (4.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6,242 persons (20.6%).
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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, 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
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(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
At the 2000 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, there were 31,178 people, 10,895 households and 7,942 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,911.1 per square mile (1,895.7/km²). There were 11,303 housing units at an average density of 1,780.4 per square mile (687.3/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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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% of had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
was $89,781 and the median family income was $102,191. Males had a median income of $59,144 versus $38,761 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Politics
In the state legislatureCalifornia State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
Laguna Hills is located in the 33rd Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
District, represented by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Mimi Walters
Mimi Walters
Mimi K. Walters is a Republican State Senator from the state of California, representing the 33rd District since 2008. She previously served in the Assembly for four years from 2004 to 2008, where she served in the Republican leadership as Assistant Republican Leader and Vice Chair of the...
, and in the 73rd Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
District, represented by Republican Diane Harkey
Diane Harkey
Diane Lynn Harkey is a former Council Member and Mayor of the City of Dana Point, California. She is currently the Republican representative in California's 73rd State Assembly district.-Early years and education:...
. Federally, Laguna Hills is located in California's 48th congressional district
California's 48th congressional district
California's 48th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California based in Orange County in Southern California...
, which has a Cook PVI
Cook Partisan Voting Index
The Cook Partisan Voting Index , sometimes referred to as simply the Partisan Voting Index , is a measurement of how strongly an American congressional district or state leans toward one political party compared to the nation as a whole...
of R +8 and is represented by Republican John Campbell.
The new Laguna Hills Civic Center and City Hall located off El Toro Road in the northernmost section of the city, near the Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills Mall
Laguna Hills Mall is an average sized, enclosed shopping mall located in Laguna Hills, California, in southern Orange County. It was built in 1973 and was renovated in 1994, and originally anchored by four major department stores: The Broadway, Buffum's, JCPenney, and Sears. In 1991, Buffum's...
and the Nellie Gail Ranch neighborhood.
Emergency services
Fire protection in Laguna Hills is provided by the Orange County Fire AuthorityOrange County Fire Authority
The Orange County Fire Authority is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for unincorporated areas of Orange County, California and cities that contract OCFA's services....
with ambulance service by Doctor's Ambulance
Doctor's Ambulance
Doctor's Ambulance Service is a privately owned company which provides emergency medical transport services to communities in Orange County, California. The company's primary response area encompasses over , six major highways and 750,000+ residents...
. Law enforcement is provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Department. There is also the Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, a hospital that is equipped with a full emergency room.
Education
Laguna Hills is served by the Saddleback Valley Unified School DistrictSaddleback Valley Unified School District
Saddleback Valley Unified School District is a public school district in South Orange County, California. It includes 26 elementary schools, four intermediate schools and four comprehensive high schools.-High schools:*El Toro High School...
. Laguna Hills students attend a variety of high performing elementary schools, and for middle school attend either La Paz Intermediate School or Los Alisos Intermediate School in neighboring Mission Viejo. The city has its own high school, Laguna Hills High School
Laguna Hills High School
Laguna Hills High School is a public high school located in Laguna Hills, California which serves the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The school has the smallest student enrollment of the district’s four schools at approximately 1,700 students. The mascot for Laguna Hills is the Hawk,...
, the smallest school in the district and one of the smallest in south Orange County with under 1,700 students.
Residents of Laguna Hills, California
- Chad CarvinChad CarvinChad Carvin is an Olympic freestyle swimmer from the United States. He swam for the USA at the 2000 Olympics.He swam for and attended the University of Arizona.-References:...
(1974), American freestyle swimmer - Russ ConwayRuss Conway (actor)Russ Conway was a Canadian-American character actor who appeared on film and television between 1947 and 1975.-Early years:...
, actor - Mike HopkinsMike Hopkins (basketball)Mike Hopkins is an American former college basketball player and current assistant coach for the Syracuse Orange from Laguna Hills, California. The 6-foot-5 Hopkins was a fan favorite, known for his all-out hustle and general scrappy play.-High school:...
(unknown), Syracuse Orange men's basketballSyracuse Orange men's basketballThe Syracuse Orange men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball team representing Syracuse University. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Big East Conference...
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(1982), American pornographic actress - Carson PalmerCarson PalmerCarson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...
(1998), NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner for the University of Southern California - Fieldy (current resident), bass guitarist for the band Korn, recording artist
- Steve Gibson, computer programmer and co-host of Security NowSecurity NowSecurity Now! is a weekly podcast hosted by Leo Laporte and Steve Gibson. The first episode was released on 19 August 2005.Released each Thursday, Security Now! consists of a discussion between Gibson and Laporte of issues of computer security and, conversely, insecurity...
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