A commuter town is a populated area that is primarily residential rather than commercial or industrial. Routine travel from home to work and back is called commuting , which is where the term comes from. A commuter town may be called by many other terms: " bedroom community " (Canada and northeastern US), " bedroom town ", " bedroom suburb " (US), " dormitory town " (UK). The term " exurb " was used from the 1950s, but since 2006, is generally used for areas beyond suburbs and specifically less densely built than the suburbs to which the exurbs' residents commute.
110-514: Laguna Niguel ( / l ə ˈ ɡ uː n ə n ɪ ˈ ɡ ɛ l / ) is a city in Orange County, California , United States. The name Laguna Niguel is derived from the words "Laguna" (Spanish for " lagoon ") and "Niguili" (the name of a Native American village once located near Aliso Creek ). As of the 2020 census , the population was 64,355. Laguna Niguel is located in the San Joaquin Hills in
220-645: 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
330-755: 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
440-669: A boom in the Orange County housing market. In 1959, Cabot, Cabot & Forbes and Paine Webber partnered to form the Laguna Niguel Corporation, which purchased the Daguerre land to develop one of California's first master planned communities. Cabot Road and Forbes Road were named in legacy after the company. The initial 7,100-acre (2,900 ha) town plan was created by Viennese architect Victor Gruen and expanded beginning in 1971 by AVCO Community Developers after they acquired
550-447: A lawsuit, which was ultimately turned down by a judge. Laguna Niguel was formally incorporated on December 1, 1989, without the coastal strip, as Orange County's 29th city. The population increased quickly during the last few decades of the 20th century, from 12,237 in 1980 to 61,891 in 2000. Growth since 2000 has been slower, with an estimate of 65,806 in 2015, due to the fact that the city has been fully built out. In 1992, Alicia Parkway
660-599: 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
770-467: 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
880-400: A predominantly residential city, Laguna Niguel serves as a bedroom community for the job centers of northern and central Orange County. Laguna Niguel has a median household income 31 percent above the Orange County average and nearly double the U.S. average. It is known for its mild coastal climate, low crime rate, and its numerous parks and public trails. The first recorded inhabitants of
990-699: A region cannot afford to live where they work and must seek residency in another town with a lower cost of living . The late 20th century, the dot-com bubble and United States housing bubble drove housing costs in Californian metropolitan areas to historic highs, spawning exurban growth in adjacent counties. Workers with jobs in San Francisco found themselves moving further and further away to nearby cities like Oakland, Burlingame, and San Mateo. As rental and housing costs kept increasing, even renters that would normally be considered affluent elsewhere would struggle with
1100-567: 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
1210-717: A toll road at Interstate 5, and becomes a freeway at Bison Avenue, and provides a toll alternative to the busy Interstate 405 , terminating in Costa Mesa at said freeway. In addition to the highways listed above, Alicia Parkway and Crown Valley Parkway are major north-south thoroughfares and the Street of the Golden Lantern/Moulton Parkway is a major east-west thoroughfare. Minor thoroughfares include Camino del Avion, Marina Hills Drive, Aliso Creek Road, Niguel Road, Cabot Road, La Paz Road, and Pacific Park Drive (Oso Parkway at
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#17328518788621320-488: A traditional bedroom community , Laguna Niguel was designed so that "families should have most of their economic needs and their social and cultural interests met by facilities within the community". The plan was also notable for its emphasis on parks and open space – comprising nearly a third of the land to be developed. The Laguna Niguel Corporation went public in April 1959 and raised an initial $ 8.2 million from investors. In 1962
1430-641: 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
1540-611: Is 3.4 inches (86 mm). Neighborhoods include Bear Brand Ranch, San Marin, El Niguel Heights and Golf Course, Ocean Ranch, Laguna Crest, Laguna Sur. Coronado Pointe, South Peak, Crest de Ville, Niguel Coast, Palmilla, Beacon Hill, Monarch Point, and the Highlands, which offer city, canyon, and ocean views. Other neighborhoods include Rancho Niguel, Marina Hills, Concord Hill, Niguel West, Niguel Summit, Kite Hill, Rolling Hills, and San Joaquin Hills . [REDACTED] Interstate 5 travels along
1650-628: 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 is the second-most-densely-populated county in
1760-618: Is a tourist center, with attractions like Disneyland Resort , Knott's Berry Farm , Mission San Juan Capistrano , Huntington Beach Pier , 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 ,
1870-606: Is a tributary of Aliso Creek , which flows through the wide and deep Aliso Canyon before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Laguna Niguel Lake , formed by damming Sulphur Creek, is the largest body of water in the city. Although Laguna Niguel is located very close to the Pacific, it does not border it, the result of a controversy over the coastline with Dana Point in 1989 (see #History ). Like much of coastal Southern California, Laguna Niguel has pleasant weather year-round. On average, August
1980-468: 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
2090-657: 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
2200-476: 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. As a bedroom community , most residents commute outside of Laguna Niguel to central and north Orange County cities, such as Irvine and Newport Beach . Most jobs within Laguna Niguel are in the service industry . According to
2310-484: 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 ,
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#17328518788622420-400: Is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km) of it (0.35%) is water. Laguna Niguel consists of mostly hilly terrain, being located within the San Joaquin Hills . The average elevation is 400 feet (120 m); elevations range from near sea level to 936 feet (285 m) at the summit of Niguel Hill, in the southwest corner of the city. Neighboring cities are Aliso Viejo and Laguna Hills to
2530-566: Is now Newport Beach . The village was shared by the Tongva and Acjachemen. The village of Puhú 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
2640-462: 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,
2750-429: 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
2860-622: Is provided by Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric . Water is provided by the Moulton Niguel Water District, which is supplied by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California 's Colorado River Aqueduct and the State Water Project . Gas is supplied by San Diego Gas & Electric and The Gas Company . Waste management is provided by CR&R (Solag Disposal). Laguna Niguel
2970-543: Is quite different from North American commuter towns that are almost exclusively the result of transportation by car. Where commuters are wealthier and small town housing markets are weaker than city housing markets, the development of a bedroom community may raise local housing prices and attract upscale service businesses in a process akin to gentrification . Long-time residents may be displaced by new commuter residents due to rising house prices. This can also be influenced by zoning restrictions in urbanized areas that prevent
3080-516: 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
3190-517: Is served by Interstate 5 on the northeastern border, and the State Route 73 toll road which runs along the northern border. The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is located just outside the southern boundary of the city. Within the city, neighborhoods are connected by a network of four- to six-lane arterial roadways with timed intersections. The main thoroughfare is Crown Valley Parkway, which bisects Laguna Niguel roughly from southwest to northeast, linking
3300-502: Is the hottest month and December the coolest. The highest recorded temperature was 108 °F (42 °C), which occurred in 1963, and the lowest temperature was 21 °F (−6 °C), which was recorded in 1949. Precipitation is sparse in Laguna Niguel, as only five months out of the year receive rainfall greater than one inch, with an annual average of 14.2 inches (360 mm). The highest monthly rainfall on average occurs in February and
3410-453: 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
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3520-635: The Brookings Institution in 2006, the term is generally used for areas beyond suburbs and specifically less densely built than the suburbs to which the exurbs' residents commute. Comparatively low density towns – often featuring large lots and large homes – create heavy motor vehicle dependency . "They begin as embryonic subdivisions of a few hundred homes at the far edge of beyond, surrounded by scrub. Then, they grow – first gradually, but soon with explosive force – attracting stores, creating jobs and struggling to keep pace with
3630-872: The California State Legislature , Laguna Niguel is in the 37th Senate District , represented by Democrat Dave Min , and in the 74th Assembly District , represented by Republican Laurie Davies . In the United States House of Representatives , Laguna Niguel is in California's 49th congressional district , represented by Democrat Mike Levin . According to the California Secretary of State , as of February 10, 2019, Laguna Niguel has 40,461 registered voters. Of those, 16,071 (39.72%) are registered Republicans, 11,615 (28.71%) are registered Democrats, and 10,843 (26.80%) have no political party preference/are independents. Laguna Niguel
3740-784: 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
3850-560: The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks , and several popular beaches along its more than 40 mi (64 km) of coastline. It 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
3960-739: 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
4070-470: 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
4180-558: 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 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
4290-810: The 1769 expedition of Gaspar de Portolà , a Spanish expedition led by Junipero Serra named 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
4400-617: The 1970s, unincorporated Dana Point began expressing interest in including the Niguel Shores in a new city. In 1977 Dana Point briefly proposed incorporation with Laguna Niguel as a single city. Both cities submitted incorporation requests in December 1986, when a controversy immediately erupted over the coastal Monarch Beach community. Although Monarch Beach had been developed by the Laguna Niguel Corporation, its residents voted 61 percent in favor of joining with Dana Point. Laguna Niguel filed
4510-680: 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 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
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4620-570: The 275,000 tons of fill supporting the Niguel Summit homes. In addition, the project had been plagued by instability throughout its construction, and halted repeatedly "after complaints of mudslides, slope washouts, erosion and dust." The Los Angeles Times reported that "according to county records, the developers were warned that building on "ancient landslides" could be unsafe, but they were able to continue construction after producing their own geological report that persuaded county officials to let
4730-638: The 85, 87, 187 and 490 bus routes in Laguna Niguel. The 490 bus line provides connecting service to the Metrolink train station . The Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo station near I-5 is served by the Orange County Line and Inland Empire–Orange County Line of Metrolink commuter rail, providing service to points in Los Angeles , Riverside , San Bernardino and San Diego Counties. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner served Laguna Niguel from 2007 to 2012, but has since ceased to stop here. Amtrak continues to serve
4840-509: 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
4950-479: 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 ,
5060-563: The Juañeno by the Spanish) to Christianity. The Mission lands, which included the present-day boundaries of Laguna Niguel, were divided into private land grants in 1821 upon Mexico 's independence from Spain. In 1842, the 13,316-acre (5,389 ha) Rancho Niguel was granted to Juan Avila ; he retained ownership of the land through the Mexican–American War (when California became part of
5170-541: The Laguna Hills-Laguna Niguel border). The 2020 United States Census reported that Laguna Niguel had a population of 64,239. The racial makeup of Laguna Niguel was 72.6% White , 1.9% African American , 11.3% Asian , and 15.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The 2010 United States Census reported that Laguna Niguel had a population of 62,979. The population density was 4,231.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,633.6/km). The racial makeup of Laguna Niguel
5280-479: The Laguna Niguel Corporation. The name of the city was created from "Laguna", a reference to the tidal lagoon that once formed at the mouth of Aliso Creek, and the name of the Acjachemem village Niguili that once occupied the area. As the city would be developed in stages, ranchers and farmers signed annual leases with the Laguna Niguel Corporation to use the land until the planned communities were built. In contrast to
5390-582: The Laguna Niguel area were the Acjachemem Native Americans, who may have had a village called "Niguili" near the confluence of Aliso Creek and Sulphur Creek . Aliso Creek marked the boundary between the Acjachemem and Tongva people . In the 1700s, during the Spanish colonization of the Americas , Spanish missionaries established the nearby Mission San Juan Capistrano to convert the Acjachemem (called
5500-675: 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
5610-593: 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
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#17328518788625720-484: The Niguel Summit community, and geologists warned that the area could be subject to a landslide. After heavy rains caused by the 1997–98 Super El Niño , the hill collapsed on March 19, 1998, destroying 5 or 6 homes at the top and five condominium units at the bottom. There were no deaths as the area had been evacuated only a few hours prior to the collapse. An investigation revealed that the company responsible for development, J.M. Peters Inc., had improperly packed and graded
5830-553: The PCH in Dana Point to I-5 in Mission Viejo . The other main roads are Alicia Parkway, Niguel Road, La Paz Road, and Moulton Parkway/Golden Lantern (north-south), and Aliso Creek Road, Marina Hills Drive, and Camino del Avion (east-west). Due to the hilly local geography, Laguna Niguel's streets are not arranged in a grid pattern. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) operates
5940-529: 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
6050-566: The UK , both the national railway's tracks, trains, stations and real estate were included in the privatization agreements. Japan's privately operated railroads view real estate investment and development of commuter towns as central to their business model. These railroads continuously develop new residential and commercial areas alongside their existing and new routes and stations and adjust their train schedules in order to provide existing and prospective commuters with convenient work-commute routines. This
6160-534: The United States) until 1865, when a severe drought forced him into bankruptcy. In 1895 Lewis Moulton and Jean Pierre Daguerre bought the Rancho Niguel and other portions of the surrounding area from farmers who were struggling due to persistent drought conditions. The Moulton Company was established to oversee 19,000 acres (7,700 ha) of local land which was used, mainly for orchards and sheep ranching, well into
6270-437: The age of 18 living in them, 14,077 (58.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2,271 (9.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 886 (3.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 994 (4.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 237 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships ; 5,390 households (22.2%) were made up of individuals, and 1,790 (7.4%) had someone living alone who
6380-462: The average family size was 3.10. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males. According to the Census Bureau's 2008 estimate,
6490-440: 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
6600-757: The brunt of the public operating budget in higher property or income taxes . Such municipalities may scramble to encourage commercial growth once an established residential base has been reached. In the UK, commuter towns were developed by railway companies to create demand for their lines. One 1920s pioneer of this form of development was the Metropolitan Railway (now part of London Underground ) which marketed its Metro-land developments. This initiative encouraged many to move out of central and inner-city London to suburbs such as Harrow , or out of London itself, to commuter villages in Buckinghamshire or Hertfordshire . Commuter towns have more recently been built ahead of adequate transportation infrastructure, thus spurring
6710-412: The city at-large, who serve staggered four-year terms. Annually, the City Council appoints a Mayor and a Mayor Pro Tempore from its own membership to serve a one-year term. The City Council currently consists of: The City Hall is located at 30111 Crown Valley Parkway. In the Orange County Board of Supervisors Laguna Niguel is part of the 5th District and represented by Supervisor Lisa A. Bartlett. In
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#17328518788626820-403: 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
6930-413: 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
7040-622: The city's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city are: The city is served by the Capistrano Unified School District . Elementary schools Middle schools High schools Colleges Private schools Laguna Niguel is protected by Orange County Fire Authority with ambulance services provided by Care Ambulance Service . Police services are provided by Orange County Sheriff . Although there are no hospitals in Laguna Niguel proper, nearby hospitals include Mission Hospital, Saddleback Memorial Hospital and South Coast Medical Center. Electricity in Laguna Niguel
7150-447: 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
7260-420: The construction of suitably cheap housing closer to places of employment. The number of commuter towns increased in the US and the UK during the 20th century because of a trend for people to move out of the cities into the surrounding green belt . In the United States, it is common for commuter towns to create disparities in municipal tax rates. When a commuter town collects few business taxes, residents must pay
7370-434: 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
7480-399: 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
7590-485: 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
7700-543: 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 . Bedroom community Often commuter towns form when workers in
7810-446: 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
7920-480: 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
8030-478: 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
8140-470: 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
8250-521: The development of roads and public transportation systems. These can take the form of light rail lines extending from the city center to new streetcar suburbs and new or expanded highways , whose construction and traffic can lead to the community becoming part of a larger conurbation . A 2014 study by the British Office for National Statistics found that commuting also affects wellbeing. Commuters are more likely to be anxious, dissatisfied and have
8360-544: 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 ,
8470-527: 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
8580-600: The eastern border of Laguna Niguel, forming the border with Mission Viejo . I-5 has two interchanges in the city: Avery Parkway and Crown Valley Parkway. [REDACTED] The San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor is a major toll road travelling through Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, Newport Beach , and Irvine , respectively. The toll road, managed by the Transportation Corridor Agencies and maintained by Caltrans , starts as
8690-512: 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,
8800-571: The first tracts of Monarch Bay and Niguel Terrace were completed, consisting of 565 homes. In 1960, the Moulton Niguel Water District (which today serves all of Laguna Niguel) was established by a conglomerate of ranchers, to import water from the Colorado River Aqueduct as the area lacked a sufficient natural water supply. In 1964, Crown Valley Parkway was completed from I-5 to the Pacific Coast Highway, facilitating transport through
8910-488: The growing city. By 1965 the population of Laguna Niguel reached 1,000. The Laguna Niguel Homeowner's Association was formed in 1966 as an advisory to the Orange County Board of Supervisors (which governed the unincorporated community). In 1973 Laguna Niguel Regional Park opened to the public. The Chet Holifield Federal Building (a local landmark popularly known as the "Ziggurat"), designed by William L. Pereira ,
9020-481: 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
9130-411: 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
9240-440: 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
9350-433: The median income for a household in the city was $ 98,072, and the median income for a family was $ 150,963. Males had a median income of $ 68,640 versus $ 40,487 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 50,980. About 2.8% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over. The City Council consists of five members, elected from
9460-719: The mid-20th century. In 1951 the land was divided between the Moulton and Daguerre families, the latter inheriting 8,056 acres (3,260 ha) in the future location of Laguna Niguel. In 1954 the Daguerres sold 7,200 acres (2,900 ha) to the Shumaker Group and 856 acres (346 ha) of oceanfront to George Capron , a former Major League Baseball player who established the Capron Ranch. The completion of Interstate 5 in 1959 enabled easy access to job centers in Los Angeles County, creating
9570-601: 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
9680-596: 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
9790-496: The nearby Irvine and San Juan Capistrano stations. Most major arterial roads in Laguna Niguel are marked with bike lanes. There are about 60 miles (97 km) of such lanes in the city. There are also several dedicated bikeways which link Laguna Niguel's extensive public park system (see #Parks and open space ). Orange County, California Orange County (officially the County of Orange ; often known by its initials O.C. )
9900-408: The north, Mission Viejo and San Juan Capistrano to the east, and Laguna Beach and Dana Point to the south. On the west, it borders the significant unincorporated acreage of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park . The main watercourses in Laguna Niguel are Salt Creek , which flows through the southern part of the city, and Sulphur Creek , which drains much of the northern half. Sulphur Creek
10010-400: The population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 17,702 people (28.1%) lived in rental housing units. During 2009–2013, Laguna Niguel had a median household income of $ 99,771, with 6.3% of the population living below the federal poverty line. As of the census of 2000, there were 61,891 people, 23,217 households, and 16,785 families residing in the city. The population density
10120-409: The population. There were 23,217 households, out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.2% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. Of all households 20.6% were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and
10230-483: 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
10340-663: The project go forward." However the most recent disaster to the Niguel Summit Subdivision has been the coastal fire in 2022 which flattened 20 homes and damaged many more. This fire started after problems and circuit activity was reported on a Southern California Edison short distance electricity tower in Laguna Beach. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 14.9 square miles (39 km). 14.8 square miles (38 km) of it
10450-465: The prospect of home ownership in an area with higher quality schools and amenities. As of 2003 , over 80% of the workforce of Tracy, California , was employed in the San Francisco Bay Area . In some cases, commuter towns can result from changing economic conditions. Steubenville, Ohio along with neighboring Weirton, West Virginia had an independent regional identity until the collapse of
10560-409: The sense that their daily activities lack meaning than those who don't have to travel to work, even if they are paid more. The term exurb (a portmanteau of "extra & urban") was coined by Auguste Comte Spectorsky in his 1955 book The Exurbanites , to describe the ring of prosperous communities beyond the suburbs that are commuter towns for an urban area. However, since a landmark report by
10670-472: The southeastern corner of Orange County, close to the Pacific Ocean , and borders the cities of Aliso Viejo , Dana Point , Laguna Beach , Laguna Hills , Mission Viejo , and San Juan Capistrano . Laguna Niguel has its origins in the Rancho Niguel Mexican land grant , which was acquired in 1959 by the Laguna Niguel Corporation to develop one of California's first master-planned communities . As
10780-724: 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 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
10890-510: The steel industry in the 1980s. Steubenville Pike and the Parkway West also created easier access to the much larger city of Pittsburgh . In 2013, Jefferson County, Ohio (where Steubenville is located) was added to the Pittsburgh metropolitan area as part of its larger Combined Statistical Area . In Japan, most of the national railway network was privatized by the 1980s but unlike in
11000-415: The time of European contact, the northern area of what is now Orange County was primarily inhabited by 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
11110-400: Was 4,221.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,629.7/km). There were 23,885 housing units at an average density of 1,629.0 per square mile (629.0/km). The racial makeup of the city was 83.50% White , 1.25% African American , 0.29% Native American , 7.73% Asian , 0.12% Pacific Islander , 3.48% from other races , and 3.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.38% of
11220-404: Was 42.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males. There were 25,312 housing units at an average density of 1,700.5 per square mile (656.6/km), of which 17,453 (72.0%) were owner-occupied, and 6,779 (28.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.4%. 45,029 people (71.5% of
11330-563: Was 50,625 (80.4%) White (72.5% Non-Hispanic White), 777 (1.2%) African American , 219 (0.3%) Native American , 5,459 (8.7%) Asian , 87 (0.1%) Pacific Islander , 3,019 (4.8%) from other races , and 2,793 (4.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8,761 persons (13.9%). The Census reported that 62,731 people (99.6% of the population) lived in households, 248 (0.4%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0 (0%) were institutionalized. There were 24,232 households, out of which 8,085 (33.4%) had children under
11440-423: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59. There were 17,234 families (71.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.06. The population was spread out, with 14,216 people (22.6%) under the age of 18, 4,722 people (7.5%) aged 18 to 24, 14,667 people (23.3%) aged 25 to 44, 21,177 people (33.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 8,197 people (13.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
11550-430: 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
11660-416: Was completed to I-5, providing a shorter route for northbound commuters; in 1996 the 73 San Joaquin Hills toll road opened, linking Laguna Niguel to the Interstate 405 in Costa Mesa . The Laguna Niguel City Hall, which had been planned as early as 1989, finally opened on October 15, 2011. In 1994 local residents first noticed damage to retaining walls and roads near an artificial slope on Via Estoril in
11770-506: Was constructed for Rockwell International in 1971 and was meant to bring 7,000 jobs to the area. It was traded to the US General Services Administration in exchange for industrial facilities elsewhere. In 1965 the Laguna Niguel Corporation had purchased George Capron's oceanfront property and began to develop the Niguel Shores neighborhood, known in its early days as the "Coastal Strip" and today as Monarch Beach . By
11880-860: 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
11990-666: 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
12100-411: 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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