Laguna Woods, California

Laguna Woods, California
City
Laguna Woods Village Golf Course
Seal
Location of Laguna Woods in Orange County, California.
Laguna Woods Location in Southern California Show map of southern California Laguna Woods Location in California Show map of California Laguna Woods Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 33°36′33″N117°43′58″W / 33.60917°N 117.73278°W / 33.60917; -117.73278
Country	United States
State	California
County	Orange
Incorporated	March 24, 1999 [1]
Government [2]
• Type	Council-Manager
•  Mayor	Cynthia Conners
•  Mayor Pro Tem	Noel Hatch
•  City Council	Shari L. Horne Annie McCary Carol Moore
•  City Manager [3]	Christopher Macon
Area [4]
• Total	3.34 sq mi (8.64 km2)
• Land	3.34 sq mi (8.64 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)  0.01%
Elevation [5]	381 ft (116 m)
Population  (2020) [6]
• Total	17,644
• Estimate  (July 2022) [7]	17,192
• Density	5,282.63/sq mi (2,042.12/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP codes	92637
Area code	949
FIPS code	06-39259
GNIS feature ID	1848119
Website	www.cityoflagunawoods.org

Laguna Woods (Laguna, Spanish for "Lagoon") is a city in Orange County, California, United States. The population was 17,644 at the 2020 census, ^[8] up from 16,192 at the 2010 census, with a median age of 74.5 (as of 2021). ^[9]

Laguna Woods became Orange County's 32nd city on March 24, 1999, after local residents voted to incorporate. ^[10] About ninety percent of the city consists of Laguna Woods Village, a private gated retirement community, formerly known as Leisure World. The other ten percent consists of businesses, some homes and the city hall, which are accessible to the public. Incorporation efforts in the late 1990s were largely driven by the need for residents to have a stronger voice against the prospective construction of an international airport at the nearby decommissioned Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. The airport proposal was defeated, and the land in question has been tabbed for development as the Orange County Great Park.

History

Laguna Woods, California occupies approximately three-square miles of land that was once a part of South Orange County's expansive Moulton Ranch. Prior to the 1960s, dry farming and cattle grazing dominated the area, with a few scattered ranch dwellings and barns.

In 1962, Ross Cortese, a young developer whose previous projects included Rossmoor and Leisure World Seal Beach, purchased a portion of the Moulton Ranch. His goal was to create a second Leisure World community or, as he said, “to supply the basic needs of life for people aged 52 and older; create a serene atmosphere of beauty; and provide security, recreation, and religious facilities – then leave the living to the individual.” His dream materialized and in 1964 Leisure World Laguna Hills received its first residents.

The prospect of incorporation first arose in 1971 and was a lingering issue until 1996, when the potential for a reduction in county services and the possibility of a commercial airport at the nearby site of the former Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, became very real concerns. Proponents of cityhood were successful in placing the issue of incorporation on the ballot for a special election on March 2, 1999.

On March 24, 1999, Laguna Woods officially became Orange County's 32nd city. ^[11]

On May 15, 2022, a shooting occurred at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods. One person was killed and five others were injured. ^[12] The attack is believed to have been motivated by anti-Taiwanese sentiment. ^[13]

Geography

Laguna Woods is located at 33°36′33″N117°43′58″W / 33.60917°N 117.73278°W / 33.60917; -117.73278 (33.609165, -117.732791). ^[14] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8.0 km²), which is virtually all land.

It is bordered by Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Beach, and Irvine, as well as and the Laguna Coast State Park and other natural open spaces. ^[15]

Education

Laguna Woods itself has no public schools. The city is located in the Capistrano Unified School District and the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, as well as the South Orange County Community College District. ^[16]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2000	16,507		—
2010	16,192		−1.9%
2019 (est.)	15,850	[17]	−2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [18]

2020

The 2020 United States Census reported a population of 17,701. The racial makeup was 74.4% White, .5% African American, 21.2% Asian, and 5.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010

At the 2010 census Laguna Woods had a population of 16,192. The population density was 5,196.9 inhabitants per square mile (2,006.5/km²). The racial makeup of Laguna Woods was 14,133 (87.3%) White (84.0% Non-Hispanic White), ^[19] 110 (0.7%) African American, 24 (0.1%) Native American, 1,624 (10.0%) Asian, 10 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 90 (0.6%) from other races, and 201 (1.2%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 650 people (4.0%). ^[20]

The census reported that 16,025 people (99.0% of the population) lived in households, 167 (1.0%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized.

There were 11,302 households, 36 (0.3%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,278 (29.0%) were married couples living together, 482 (4.3%) had a female householder with no husband present, 113 (1.0%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 194 (1.7%) unmarried couples or partnerships, and 54 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 6,924 households (61.3%) were one person and 6,097 (53.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 1.42. There were 3,873 families (34.3% of households); the average family size was 2.07.

The age distribution was 48 people (0.3%) under the age of 18, 56 people (0.3%) aged 18 to 24, 266 people (1.6%) aged 25 to 44, 2,948 people (18.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 12,874 people (79.5%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 77.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 55.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 55.0 males.

There were 13,016 housing units at an average density of 4,177.6 per square mile, of the occupied units 8,730 (77.2%) were owner-occupied and 2,572 (22.8%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 4.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 10.2%. 12,456 people (76.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 3,569 people (22.0%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Laguna Woods had a median household income of $36,818, with 9.9% of the population living below the federal poverty line. ^[19]

2000

At the 2000 census there were 16,507 people in 11,699 households, including 3,989 families, in the city. The population density was 5,158.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,991.7/km²). There were 12,650 housing units at an average density of 3,953.1 per square mile (1,526.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.12% White, 0.25% Black, 0.12% American Indian, 2.50% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.06%. ^[21]

Of the 11,699 households 0.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.7% were married couples living together, 2.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 65.9% were non-families. 62.2% of households were one person and 57.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.40 and the average family size was 2.06.

The age distribution was 0.6% under the age of 18, 0.2% from 18 to 24, 2.2% from 25 to 44, 10.6% from 45 to 64, and 86.4% 65 or older. The median age was 78 years. For every 100 females, there were 51.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 51.6 males.

The median household income was $30,493 and the median family income was $46,889. Males had a median income of $56,563 versus $35,188 for females. The per capita income for the city was $32,071. About 2.6% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government

In the state legislature, Laguna Woods is in the 37th Senate District , represented by Democrat Dave Min, and in the 72nd Assembly District , represented by Republican Diane Dixon. ^[22]

In the United States House of Representatives, Laguna Woods is in California's 40th congressional district , represented by Republican Young Kim, ^[23] and in California’s 47th congressional district, represented by Democrat Katie Porter ^[24]

According to the California Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2019, Laguna Woods has 14,027 registered voters. Of those, 5,081 (36.22%) are registered Republicans, 5,041 (35.94%) are registered Democrats, and 3,392 (24.18%) have declined to state a political party/are independents. ^[25]

Infrastructure

Public Safety services

Fire protection in Laguna Woods is provided by the Orange County Fire Authority with ambulance service by Care Ambulance Service. Law enforcement is provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Security services within Laguna Woods Village ^[26] are provided by Laguna Woods Village Security.

References

1. "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on November 3, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
2. "City Council". City of Laguna Woods. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
3. "Laguna Woods names new city manager". The Orange County Register. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
4. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
5. "Laguna Woods". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved April 16, 2015.
6. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lagunawoodscitycalifornia/AGE775222#AGE775222
7. "Quick Facts Laguna Woods city, California". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
8. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Laguna Woods city, California". www.census.gov. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
9. "Laguna Woods, CA | Data USA". datausa.io. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
10. "The Story of Laguna Woods". Laguna Woods History Center. February 12, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
11. "The Story of Laguna Woods". Laguna Woods History Center. February 12, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
12. Tebor, Christal Hayes and Celina. "'Exceptional heroism': California churchgoers stopped rampage, hogtied suspect after deadly shooting". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on May 15, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
13. Taxin, Amy; Bharath, Deepa; Dazio, Stefanie; Antczak, John; Shafner, Rhonda (May 16, 2022). "Authorities say hate against Taiwanese people led to California church attack". PBS NewsHour. The Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
14. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
15. "About Us". City of Laguna Woods, California. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
16. "School Districts Serving Laguna Woods, CA". Niche. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
17. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
18. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
19. "Laguna Woods (city), California". Archived from the original on October 30, 2013.
20. "2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Laguna Woods city". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
21. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
22. "California Districts". UC Regents. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
23. "California's 40th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC.
24. U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. "118th Congress of the United States: California - Congressional District 47, Representative Katie Porter" (PDF). census.gov. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
25. "CA Secretary of State – Report of Registration – February 10, 2019" (PDF). ca.gov. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
26. "Security Services". Laguna Woods Village. Retrieved January 16, 2024.

External links

• City of Laguna Woods