Laguna Hills
Laguna Hills. I even think the name is pretty. In addition to having a top notch High School, this city has several of the best communities in South Orange County – Nellie Gail Ranch and Moulton Ranch, as great examples. You can even stable your horse on your property in this community. Oh, did I mention the Million-Dollar City Light Views from many parts of Laguna Hills?
Laguna Hills is a city located in southern Orange County. Its name refers to its proximity to Laguna Canyon and the much older Laguna Beach. Other newer cities nearby—Laguna Niguel and Laguna Woods—are similarly named.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.7 square miles. 6.7 square miles of it is land and 0.025 square miles of it (0.37%) is water.
History
Laguna Hills is built on one of the major land grants developed during the rancho era.
Following Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, those who had served in the government or who had friends in authority, were given vast lands for cattle grazing. Rancho Lomas de Santiago, Rancho San Joaquin, and Rancho Niguel covered much of the western portion of the Saddleback Valley. Don Juan Avila was granted the 13,000 Rancho Niguel on which Laguna Hills is located.
In 1894, Lewis Moulton purchased Rancho Niguel from Don Juan Avila and increased the original grant to 22,000 acres. Moulton and his partner, Jean Piedra Daguerre, used the ranch to raise sheep and cattle. The Moulton Ranch was eventually subdivided in the early 1960s, and part of the division became today's Laguna Hills.
Incorporation efforts began in 1987 and on March 5, 1991, 86% of the residents voted in favor of forming the City of Laguna Hills. On December 20, 1991, Laguna Hills officially became a City. Subsequent annexations have included the North Laguna Hills (1996) and the "Westside Annexation" (2000) areas.The latter included 149 acres of residential land, including the Aliso Viejo Community Association's Sheep Hills Park.
Demographics
The 2010 United States Census reported that Laguna Hills had a population of 30,344. The racial makeup of Laguna Hills was 22,045White, 420 African American, 101 Native American, 3,829 Asian, 58 Pacific Islander, 2,470 from other races, and 1,421 from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6,242 persons. Read more
As of the census of 2000, there were 31,178 people, 10,895 households, and 7,942 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,911.1 inhabitants per square mile. There were 11,303 housing units at an average density of 1,780.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 76.83% White, 1.38% African American, 0.44% Native American, 10.20% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 7.19% from other races, and 3.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.40% of the population.
There were 10,895 households out of which 37.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $89,781, and the median income for a family was $102,191. Males had a median income of $59,144 versus $38,761 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,133. About 3.6% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
The new Laguna Hills Civic Center and City Hall located off El Toro Road in the northernmost section of the city, near the Laguna Hills Mall and the Nellie Gail Ranch neighborhood.
Emergency services
Fire protection in Laguna Hills is provided by the Orange County Fire Authority with ambulance service by Doctor's Ambulance. Law enforcement is provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Department. There is also the Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, a hospital that is equipped with a full emergency room.
Education
Laguna Hills is served by the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. Laguna Hills students attend a variety of high performing elementary schools, and for middle school attend either La Paz Intermediate School or Los Alisos Intermediate School in neighboring Mission Viejo. The city has its own high school, Laguna Hills High School, the smallest school in the district and one of the smallest in south Orange County with under 1,700 students.
Residents of Laguna Hills, California
- Chad Carvin (1974), American freestyle swimmer
- Russ Conway, actor
- Steve Perry, (1979) Pitcher for The Dodger Baseball Team
- Mike Hopkins (unknown), Syracuse Orange men's basketball assistant coach, and former player
- Kaitlin Sandeno (1983), Olympic medalist swimmer
- Michael Novales (1985), Former US Figure Skating competitor, currently skating for Philippine Skating Union
- Whitney Houston, Actress and Grammy awarded singer
- Jenna Haze (1982), American pornographic actress
- Carson Palmer (1998), NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner for the University of Southern California
- Fieldy (Current Resident), Bassist for the band Korn, Recording Artist
- Steve Gibson, computer programmer and co-host of Security Now
- George Sixta, Cartoonist of the syndicated Rivets (1953–1985)
- Zacky Vengeance (Current Resident), Rhythm Guitarist for the band Avenged Sevenfold
In the news
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