Running head: ORANGE COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS



Running head: ORANGE COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS

Assignment 3: Orange County Demographics

LIBR 220 –Fall 2006

Clayton Gediman

Abstract

This is an overview of Orange County demographic information. This will focus on the Latino population but will contain some comparative information on various ethnic communities. Much of the information is from the 2000 census, and since the next census isn’t far off, there are some changes in the numbers.

Orange County Demographics

Orange County, California has a long history with the Latino population. Indeed, much of the county is organized on the lines of its links and history based on that population. From being founded on the some of the original land grants from Spain to providing much of the labor for the farm and building industry that has made it one of the expensive places to live in Southern California.

Finding more current statistics has been difficult. In looking at official numbers from the State of California and County, many of the sources reference back to the Census of 2000. However, in individual circumstances there are place to find more current data.

In a brief history, Orange County was settled by the Shoshone Indian tribe when the Spanish Conquistador Gaspar Portolla explored the area. After exploring the area, he brought in a Spanish missionary, Junipero Serra, to set up missions in the area. After converting the local population, not always willingly, the missions were built and a sustained agricultural economy started thriving. Not long after several sprawling ranchos were built to take advantage of the local fertile farmland. Many of the areas in Orange County still continue to have the names of either the local ranchos that were started or names given to area by the Spanish. (County of Orange, 2004)

After Mexico through off Spanish rule the “romantic” era came in the from the establishement of huge tracts of rancheros divided among new Mexicans. This lasted until after the Mexican war when the former land grants were not honored. After the land grants were divided or bought by, mostly white, Americans, the land became one of the main agricultural areas in Southern California. This stayed that way until the 1960’s, when overpopulation from Los Angeles spilled over, with this and local attractions such as Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm starting about the same time. This started the housing and business boom that has continued to this day. However, the Mexican population has stayed on through this time, becoming the Latino community that has stayed the backbone of the Orange County population to this day. (County of Orange, 2004)

The county is approximately 30% Latino, (U.S Census, 2000) (OC Facts and Figures, 2003-04). The latest numbers from the County show a 2% increase from 2000 Census, showing an increase in the population of Latinos (U.S Census, 2000). While the population in Orange county has a very diverse mix, an overwhelming amount is Latino or white. While the statistics show that the Asian population is 16%, this may have increased since the census was taken.

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(U.S Census, 2000)

The year 2000 Census (U.S Census, 2000) lists average cost of housing in Orange County of $270,000 but a look in the local newspaper ads show that that has tripled at minimum since then ("OC Real Estate," 2006). The average apartment listing is $1161 (City Data Orange, 2006) With an average pre-tax income of about $33,000 in 2000 (U.S Census, 2000), this would make difficult in 2000 to buy a house. Even if wages have tripled since then (which is unlikely) housing in Orange County is extremely high. The Latino population in Orange County isn’t spread evenly all around with Santa Ana having the highest concentration with 62% yet carries one of the most one of the highest concentrations per square mile (U.S. Census, 2000). Santa Ana also carries the lowest average household income at $43,000 (OC Facts and Figures, 2003-04).

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(U.S Census, 2000)

I have a few problems with the above official numbers. While there are similar numbers using the Rand Corporation statistics (aren’t much more current) (Rand Corporation, 2003), the low income numbers out of the total populations are extremely low, and makes me wonder how many are not being counted. Even if the numbers are accurate, with most of Orange County households living on 75,000, this still isn’t enough for anything more then an apartment with the housing increasing so much in the last year. I have my doubts that everyone is being counted. However, with those being the closest thing to official numbers, it gives a good impression of the success of Orange County.

There are signs of balance within the county. With Latinos making up 30% of the population of Orange County, they also make up 30% of the Cal State Fullerton population. This percentage is above the state average for Cal States, and almost perfectly in line with the Latino population percentage of the county.

In looking at the statistics for Orange County, CA, there is an imbalance with regards to the Latino population, income, and density. Santa Ana is a good example of the social imbalance with regard to race and income. When comparing the average income with the various cities and the cost of living, using the example of the Santa Ana, it is very difficult for the Latino population to meet the standard of living. The population density and low income level for Santa Ana residents to make a difficult economic environment even more so. This takes off some of the glamour of the Orange County mystique that is portrayed in the popular media (Fox Broadcasting, 2006)

References

City Data Orange County. (2006). Retrieved October 6, 2006, from City- Web site: http:/​/​​county/​Orange_County-CA.html

County of Orange - OC History. (2004). Retrieved October 5, 2006, from http:/​/​​ochistory/​ochistory.asp

Fox Broadcasting. (2006). Retrieved October 8, 2006, from The OC Web site: http:/​/​​oc/​

OC Facts and Figures. (2003-04). Retrieved October 6, 2006, from Orange County Facts and Figures Web site: http:/​/​oc.​finance/​ff2005/​pages_frm.asp?OPT=p4

OC Real estate finder [Electronic version]. (2006, October 6). Orange County Register.

Orange County Fact Sheet. (2000). Retrieved October 6, 2006, from http:/​/​factfinder.​servlet/​SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=05000US06059&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US06%7C05000US06059&_street=&_county=orange+county%2C+ca&_cityTown=orange+county%2C+ca&_state=&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=050&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=

Rand Corporation. (2003). Retrieved October 4, 2006, from Rand Corporation Web site: http:/​/​ca..lib-proxy.fullerton.edu/​cgi-bin/​monthly.cgi

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