Located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Orange County is one of the best places to live. Orange County offers its people a more urban feel with nice weather, plenty of outdoor activities, and safe areas! In the past, Orange County was part of Los Angeles County, however, many residents that lived in the southern end of LA county wanted it to be split. This led to the birth of Orange County. When the name was first proposed, mainly grapes were being grown, but people started growing oranges all over the county to turn a profit. Millions of orange trees were planted, which is where it got its name! People are attracted to Orange County is known for its diverse atmosphere, gorgeous weather, and fun attractions. Orange County has become a hot tourist spot thanks to the many amusement parks and beaches in the area. Notable people connected to living in Orange County include late-NBA player Kobe Bryant and actor Will Ferrell.
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Orange County, CA Population & Demographics
Orange County has a population of 3.19 million people, which is a slight decrease of .139% from the previous year, but still making it the 3rd most-populous county in California and the sixth in the US! The racial demographics in Orange County are 39.9% White, 20.7% Asian, 20.5% Hispanic, 2.81% mixed races, and 11.6% other races. The median household income in Orange County is $89,759, which is a steady growth of 4.11%. The median age in Orange County is 38.3, so there are many young adults and families living there. Currently, there are 100 females for every 98 males in Orange County. Thankfully, residents feel pretty safe in Orange County thanks to the crime rates being 32% lower than the national average.
There are 40 cities in Orange County. The area codes for all those cities in Orange County are 562, 657, 626, 714, 909, and 949.
Orange County Cost of Living
OC living isn’t very affordable. Residing in Orange County isn’t the cheapest option when comparing the cost of living to the rest of California and the national average. Orange County is 18% more expensive to live than the rest of California, however Orange County’s housing market is to blame for this. Housing in Orange County is 69% more expensive than the rest of California and 208% more costly than the national average. The housing market in Orange County is very competitive, with the average home being sold within 30 days. The average price of a house in Orange County is $794,000 or $47 per square foot, which is about a 9% increase from last year. If you’re interested in relocating to Orange County, now is the right time to buy one of the many Orange County, CA homes for sale before prices rise. 57.4% of residents own their home in Orange County. If you’re planning to rent in Orange County, you can expect to pay around $2,042. The rent trends in Orange County have increased slightly with a .7% growth for one bedroom apartments and a 3.4% growth for two bedroom apartments.
While the housing costs in Orange County can be worrisome, there are other expenses in Orange County that are much more affordable. Transportation in Orange County is 18% cheaper than the California average. Healthcare is 4% less expensive and utilities are 2% cheaper than the national average.
Orange County Cost of Items (Everyday Expenses)
- Meal at a restaurant: $15.50
- Fast food meal: $10.00
- Gallon of milk: $3.26
- Gallon of gas: $3.39
- Internet: $65.75
Top Orange County, CA Cities
What’s the best place to live in Orange County? The most popular cities in Orange County are Irvine, Huntington Beach, Anaheim, and Newport Beach. Irvine is considered one of the best places to live in Orange County thanks to the crime rates being 45% lower than the national average. Irvine has various sizes and styles of homes available, making it easier to find the right house for you. Huntington Beach is another Orange County city with gorgeous beachside homes. This is a great place to live for surfers, joggers, and bikers since you are only a few miles away from the beach wherever you’re located! Anaheim is a popular Orange County city that is loved for its fun activities and active nightlife – it’s home to Disneyland! There are plenty of job opportunities in Anaheim, which has attracted many young professionals to the area. Newport Beach is considered one of the best places to retire in California thanks to the slower pace of life there. You are always close to the beach wherever you live in Newport, so there are plenty of outdoor activities to do. Residents in Newport Beach feel relatively safe as the crime rates are 11% lower than the national average.
Orange County, CA Weather
One of the many reasons people choose to reside in Orange County is for its nice weather year round. The summers in Orange County are arid and warm with highs of 85°F and lows of 65°F. Meanwhile, Orange County has cooler and shorter winters with an average high temperature of 67°F and low temperature of 45°F. Orange County has a Mediterrian climate that allows for very few rainy days with an average of 14 inches of rainfall a year. That means there are many sunny days in Orange County, which creates an awesome atmosphere for things to do outside all year long.
Things to Do in Orange County, CA
Wondering what fun things there are to do in Orange County? With beaches, shops, and amusement parks all close by, there is something fun for everyone to do here! Check out some of the top-rated activities in Orange County below:
Disneyland Park
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Millions of people each year travel to Orange County to visit the amusement park that is loved by so many. With exhilarating rides, delicious food, and outstanding shows, there is no doubt that Disneyland is “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Disneyland offers its visitors a full day of fun for families of all ages!
1313 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, CA 92802, (714) 781-4636
Crystal Cove State Park
If you’re looking for a fun day at a top-rated Orange County beach, Crystal Cove State Park is the place to go! With crystal blue water and soft beige sand, this is the perfect beach to surf, build sand castles, scuba dive, and more! Crystal Cove is also famous for their tide pool and sandy coves that visitors love to explore.
8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, (949) 494-3539
Orange County also offers some awesome shopping areas, including Fashion Island, South Coast Plaza, Irvine Spectrum Center, and The Outlets at Orange. Many people also commute to San Diego from Orange County for more fun things to do. If that’s what you’ll do, click here for directions from Orange County, CA to San Diego, CA, which is 87.3 miles.
Additional Things To Do In Orange County
Orange County Restaurants
Wondering where to go when you get hungry? We’ve found the best restaurants in Orange County that will satisfy anyone’s appetite down below:
Orange Hill Restaurant & Events
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Orange Hill is an upscale restaurant with koi ponds and waterfalls that would make a perfect fancy dinner with the one you love most! With options of steak, seafood, wine, and more, there is something delicious here for everyone.
6410 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92869, (714) 997-2910
North Italia
If you’re craving Italian food, North Italia serves the best Italian dishes in Orange County! This restaurant offers brunch, lunch, and dinner with choices of french toast, pasta, soup, salads, and more. With hundreds of reviews complimenting their service, food, and atmosphere, North Italia is a must-try.
2957 Michelson Dr, Irvine, CA 92612, (949) 629-7060
Jobs in Orange County, CA
The median household income in Orange County is $89,759. Orange County employs 1.61 million people, a .386% increase, which is good considering the slight population decline in the past year. Most jobs in Orange County are found in manufacturing, health care and social assistance, and retail. The highest paying jobs in Orange County are in utilities, management of companies and enterprises, finance, and insurance. Those residing in Orange County have an average commute time of 26.4 minutes, which is a bit higher than the national average. However, your commute time can fluctuate based on where your job is located. Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Irvine are all cities in Orange County that employ the most amount of people, so there are many residents that travel to those cities for their job.
Schools in Orange County, CA
One of the many reasons people relocate to Orange County is for their excellent school districts. The most popular schools in Orange County are Troy High School, Orange County School of the Arts, Lakeside Middle School, Jack L. Weaver Elementary School, and Richard Henry Lee Elementary School. There are many excellent schools to choose from in El Cajon thanks to its top-rated school district. All of these schools are highly complimented on their diverse environment, student test scores, and student progress. There are also plenty of amazing private schools in Orange County like Sage Hill School, TVT Community Day School, and St. Margaret’s Episcopal School. All of these private schools have a low student to teacher ratio, which may be necessary for kids who need more one-on-one time with their teachers.
Living in Orange County Pros & Cons
- The weather is pleasant year round
- Awesome schools there to attend for kids
- The cost of living is higher than the California average
Believe Orange County is the right place for you? If so, you’ll want to hire our top-rated Orange County moving company, SafeWay Moving, to get you there! Call us today for a free quote from the best Orange County movers.