Orange County, CA

County

Add Comparison

2020 Population

3.17M

0.0726% 1-year growth

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

38.3

0.525% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

10.1%

6.65% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$94,441

4.66% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$703,800

3.61% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

1.59M

0.0456% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Orange County, CA had a population of 3.17M people with a median age of 38.3 and a median household income of $94,441. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Orange County, CA grew from 3.17M to 3.17M, a 0.0726% increase and its median household income grew from $90,234 to $94,441, a 4.66% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Orange County, CA are White (Non-Hispanic) (39.8%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (20.9%), White (Hispanic) (17.8%), Other (Hispanic) (11.7%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (3.57%).

None of the households in Orange County, CA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

87.2% of the residents in Orange County, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Orange County, CA are University of California-Irvine (12,345 degrees awarded in 2021), California State University-Fullerton (11,652 degrees), and Golden West College (115126) (6,640 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Orange County, CA was $703,800, and the homeownership rate was 57.2%.

Most people in Orange County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 28 minutes. The average car ownership in Orange County, CA was 2 cars per household.

Orange County, CA borders Los Angeles County, CA, Riverside County, CA, San Bernardino County, CA, and San Diego County, CA.

Photo by Don Graham

United States California Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Population & Diversity

Orange County, CA is home to a population of 3.17M people, from which 87.2% are citizens. As of 2020, 29.6% of Orange County, CA residents were born outside of the country (939k people).

In 2020, there were 1.91 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (1.26M people) in Orange County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 661k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 564k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

87.2%

2020 Citizenship

86.3%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 87.2% of Orange County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Orange County, CA was 86.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Orange County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Orange County, CA

White (Non-Hispanic)
1.26M ± 1.86k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
661k ± 3k
White (Hispanic)
564k ± 8.68k

33.8%

Hispanic Population

1.07M people

33.8% of the people in Orange County, CA are hispanic (1.07M people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Orange County, CA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
4,008,868 ± 46,586 people
Philippines
829,356 ± 22,122 people
China
683,718 ± 20,124 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 4,008,868 California residents, followed by Philippines with 829,356 and China with 683,718.

Foreign-Born Population

29.6%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

939k people

30.1%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

954k people

As of 2020, 29.6% of Orange County, CA residents (939k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Orange County, CA was 30.1%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Orange County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
35,791 ± 1,304
Gulf War (2001-)
18,019 ± 1,247
Gulf War (1990s)
11,462 ± 975

Orange County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.99 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Orange County, CA employs 1.59M people. The largest industries in Orange County, CA are Manufacturing (190,034 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (183,544 people), and Retail Trade (165,206 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($96,250), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($90,065), and Finance & Insurance ($77,305).

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $64,427. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.498, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

1.59M

2020 Value

± 10,184

0.0456%

1 Year growth

± 0.865%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Orange County, CA grew at a rate of 0.0456%, from 1.59M employees to 1.59M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Orange County, CA, are Management Occupations (202,211 people), Sales & Related Occupations (185,430 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (179,457 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Orange County, CA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

1.59M

2020 Value

± 10,184

0.0456%

1 Year growth

± 0.865%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Orange County, CA grew at a rate of 0.0456%, from 1.59M employees to 1.59M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Orange County, CA, are Manufacturing (190,034 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (183,544 people), and Retail Trade (165,206 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Orange County, CA, though some of these residents may live in Orange County, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$51,390

Median earning men ± $485

$37,950

Median earning women ± $577

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Public Administration ($91,391), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($84,505), and Information ($72,870).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($58,121), Wholesale Trade ($54,115), and Public Administration ($53,906).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in California. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

49,207
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
25,678
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
25,569
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$44.2M
Manufacturing
$31.4M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$28.3M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $405B, followed by Mixed freight ($159B) and Pharmaceuticals ($155B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound California products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$2.21T

2020 Value in California

$4.61T

Projected 2050 Value in California

109% growth

In 2020, total outbound California trade was $2.21T. This is expected to increase 109% to $4.61T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound California trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$84.4B
Arizona
$44.8B
Ohio
$40.6B

In 2020, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $84.4B, followed by Arizona with $44.8B and Ohio and $40.6B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that California shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Orange County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 53.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.14%).

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

California is currently represented by 52 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (53.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (44.4%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.14%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Orange County, CA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Dianne Feinstein

Senator from California

Assumed office on November 10, 1992
Elected to the seat to succeed John Seymour (California politician)|John Seymour, who had been appointed to the seat after Pete Wilson was elected Governor of California.

Alex Padilla

Senator from California

Assumed office on January 18, 2021
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are the senators currently representing California.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from California

California is currently represented by 52 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for California have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Orange County, CA awarded 84,331 degrees. The student population of Orange County, CA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 232,316 male students and 286,062 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Orange County, CA are Hispanic or Latino (28,684 and 36.2%), followed by White (22,707 and 28.7%), Asian (17,959 and 22.7%), and Two or More Races (3,606 and 4.55%).

The largest universities in Orange County, CA by number of degrees awarded are University of California-Irvine (12,345 and 14.6%), California State University-Fullerton (11,652 and 13.8%), and Golden West College (115126) (6,640 and 7.87%).

The most popular majors in Orange County, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (16,678 and 19.8%), General Business Administration & Management (7,978 and 9.46%), and General Psychology (3,041 and 3.61%).

The median tuition costs in Orange County, CA are $23,345 for private four year colleges, and $3,423 and $13,239 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Orange County, CA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 41.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 19.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 518,378 (44.8% men and 55.2% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 518,378 students enrolled in Orange County, CA, 44.8% men and 55.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 191,312 records, of which 58.4% were women and 41.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
3,881 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
1,656 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
1,519 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Orange County, CA was General Business Administration & Management with 3,881 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Orange County, CA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of California-Irvine
12,345 degrees awarded
California State University-Fullerton
11,652 degrees awarded
Golden West College (115126)
6,640 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of California-Irvine with 12,345 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 33,833 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Orange County, CA, which is 0.67 times less than the 50,498 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 28,684 degrees mean that there were 1.26 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 22,707 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private for-profit, less-than 2-year ($24,500) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private for-profit, 2-year ($1,152) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private for-profit, less-than 2-year ($3,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Measure

In 2020, 1.74% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.99% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were Some college (7.14M), High School or Equivalent (6.69M), and Bachelors Degree (6.15M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Orange County, CA was $703,800 in 2020, which is 3.06 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $679,300 to $703,800, a 3.61% increase. The homeownership rate in Orange County, CA is 57.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in Orange County, CA have an average commute time of 28 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Orange County, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Orange County, CA is $94,441. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Orange County, CA was Census Tract 320.44 with a value of $223,105, followed by Census Tract 320.43 and Census Tract 320.46, with respective values of $213,516 and $212,500.

In 2022, 26.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Orange County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.94%.

Housing

Property

$703,800

Median Property Value 2020

±$2,560

$595,228

Median Property Taxes

±$5,488

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Orange County, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Orange County, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

57.2%

Homeownership

2020

73.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 57.2% of the housing units in Orange County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 57.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Orange County, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 320.44
Census Tract 320.43
Census Tract 320.46

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Orange County, CA was Census Tract 320.44 with a value of $223,105, followed by Census Tract 320.43 and Census Tract 320.46, with respective values of $213,516 and $212,500.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Orange County, CA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$94,441

Median Household Income

± $866

1.04M

Number of Households

± 7,556

In 2020, the median household income of the 1.04M households in Orange County, CA grew to $94,441 from the previous year's value of $90,234.

The following chart displays the households in Orange County, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Orange County, CA is from California.

0.498

2020 Wage GINI in California

0.499

2019 Wage GINI in California

In 2020, the income inequality in California was 0.498 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.321% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (76.1%)
Carpooled (9.54%)
Worked At Home (8.98%)

In 2020, 76.1% of workers in Orange County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.54%) and those who worked at home (8.98%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

28 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Orange County, CA have a longer commute time (28 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.96% of the workforce in Orange County, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Orange County, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Orange County, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Orange County, CA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 26.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Orange County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.94%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

10.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Orange County, CA (318k out of 3.13M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Orange County, CA is White, followed by Hispanic and Asian.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 10.3% of the children was living in poverty in Orange County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 7.7%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 214 in Orange County, CA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 16.1 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

92.9% of the population of Orange County, CA has health coverage, with 49.9% on employee plans, 18.1% on Medicaid, 10.6% on Medicare, 13.6% on non-group plans, and 0.591% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in California was $7,549 in 2014. This is a 4.04% increase from the previous year ($7,256).

Primary care physicians in Orange County, CA see 999 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.28% decrease from the previous year (1012 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 852 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 306 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

999 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Orange County, CA

Primary care physicians in Orange County, CA see an average of 999 patients per year. This represents a 1.28% decrease from the previous year (1,012 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Orange County, CA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.4% under 18 years, 22.3% between 18 and 34 years, 39.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.14%

Uninsured

49.9%

Employer Coverage

18.1%

Medicaid

10.6%

Medicare

13.6%

Non-Group

0.591%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Orange County, CA declined by 5.92% from 7.59% to 7.14%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Orange County, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 26.5 in Orange County, CA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Orange County, CA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 24.5% in Orange County, CA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Orange County, CA.

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