Placentia
Primarily known as a bedroom community, Placentia is known for its quiet neighborhoods and strong public safety. While I haven’t lived here (yet), I’ve helped many people buy and sell their homes in this charming area.
Placentia is a city in northern Orange County, California. The population was 50,533 at the 2010 census, up from 46,488 at the 2000 census. This includes the community of Atwood, which is included in the city of Placentia, and is located in its southernmost quadrant.
In the southwest, or downtown area, is the Placita-Santa Fe District, which boasts some of the best Mexican restaurants in Orange County. People come from all parts of Orange County to dine in the popular downtown area.
Currently, Placentia has a $20,000,000 metrolink project scheduled to start in the downtown area in 2013. This project is in conjunction with the Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA), and will assist in the continued revitalization of the area, which is also scheduled for the building of more transit oriented housing to complement the train station, mixed use, retail and entertainment. All designed to enhance Placentia's unique presence in Orange County.
Placentia is also working with the OCTA on the 'OC Bridges' project. The project, combined with the city of Fullerton, provides approximately $580,000,000 in funding to build underpasses and/or overpasses at the major north-south roadways in the two cities. The roadways are Lakeview, Ave., Rose/Tustin, Orangethorpe Ave., Kraemer Blvd. , Placentia Ave., State College Blvd. and Raymond Ave. The project currently has Placentia Ave. underway, with all crossings to be completed by 2017.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.6 square miles. 6.6 square miles of it is land and 0.22% is water.
The 57 Freeway (Orange Freeway) runs through the southwest section of Placentia. The 91 Freeway (Riverside Freeway) passes directly south of the city.
Districts in Placentia include the Neighborhood of La Jolla, and the formerly unincorporated community of Atwood.
Government
Local
Placentia is a Charter city with an elected city council and professional city manager.
State and Federal
In the state legislature, Placentia is located in the 29th Senate District and in the 72nd Assembly District.
Federally, Placentia is located in California's 40th and 42nd congressional districts. Read more
Demographics
The 2010 United States Census reported that Placentia had a population of 50,533. The racial makeup of Placentia was 31,373 White, 914 African American, 386 Native American, 7,531 Asian, 74 Pacific Islander, 8,247 from other races, and 2,008 from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18,416 persons.
Breaking out the Hispanic and Latino population, the racial and ethnic composition of the population was 44.7% non-Hispanic white, 1.8% black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 3.1% Filipino, 2.9% Chinese, 2.7% Vietnamese, 1.9% Korean, 1.8% Asian Indian, 1.0% Japanese, 1.4% other Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% non-Hispanic reporting some other race, 4.0% reporting two or more races and 36.4% Hispanic or Latino.
As of the census of 2000, there were 46,488 people, 15,037 households, and 11,683 families residing in the city. The population density was 7,051.3 inhabitants per square mile. There were 15,326 housing units at an average density of 2,324.6 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 67.76% White, 1.77% African American, 0.83% Native American, 11.16% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander 13.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.10% of the population.
There were 15,037 households out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married alternative couples living together, 50.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.42.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $62,803, and the median income for a family was $68,976. These figures had risen to $77,496 and $83,674 respectively as of a 2007 estimate. Males had a median income of $46,956 versus $34,184 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,843. About 5.7% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Public schools
Placentia is a part of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD).
There are three high schools in the city:
- El Dorado High School
- Valencia High School. The oldest high school in Placentia, opened in 1933. VHS offers an IB program as well as a technology track known as ValTech.
- El Camino Real High School. Named a "Model Continuation High School" by the California State Department of Education.
In addition, Placentia supports three public middle schools: Kraemer Middle School, Valadez Middle School Academy, and Tuffree Middle School.
The city houses numerous public elementary schools: Brookhaven Elementary, George Key Elementary, Golden Elementary, Morse Elementary, Melrose Elementary, Ruby Drive Elementary, Sierra Vista Elementary, Tynes Elementary, Van Buren Elementary, and Wagner Elementary.
Independent schools
The Parkview School provides an independent study K-12 school for students who are "homeschoolers, student actors, junior athletes, chronically ill, or in various other situations for which an alternative to classroom-based instruction is desirable."
Notable Placentians
- Agent Orange, punk band
- James Cameron, director
- Michael Chang, professional tennis player
- D-Loc, rapper
- Chris Draft, NFL pro football player
- Janet Evans, Olympic swimmer
- Jason Freese, Musician, Green Day
- Josh Freese, Musician, Weezer
- Charles Edward Fuller, theologian
- Kottonmouth Kings, hip hop group
- Daryl F. Mallett, author & actor
- Phil Nevin, baseball player
- Jill Nicolini, actress, news reporter
- Audrina Patridge, The Hills reality television star
- Kherington Payne, So You Think You Can Dance contestant, Pussycat Doll
- Johnny Richter, rapper
- Dick Schofield, baseball player
- Julie Swail, Olympic water polo player, Olympic Triathlete
- Brett Tomko, baseball player
In the news
Real Estate Basics
