Cities in Orange County CA 🗺️ | Largest OC Cities & Orange County Map

If you are thinking about moving to Orange County, California, then you are probably wondering which city you should call home. The options are endless in Orange County. There are 34 incorporated cities to choose from when searching for a place to settle down.

To help you figure out which Orange County city to move to, check out this ultimate list of the best cities in Orange County. We provide you with useful information and key demographics for each popular Orange County City. All of the data comes from the US Census.

About Orange County, CA

First incorporated in 1889, Orange County is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in Southern California. Orange County is the third most populous county in California and the sixth most populous county in the United States. The county was given the name “Orange” in order to sound like a semi-tropical Mediterranean region to people from the east coast. Six of Orange County’s cities are located on the coast: Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, San Clemente, and Dana Point.

Orange County is home to many top-rated attractions, such as Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm. It is also home to South Coast Plaza, which is the largest shopping mall in California. Surfers from all over the world also come to Orange County to experience world-famous beaches such as Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.

Orange County has many incredible job opportunities and is the headquarters of many Fortune 500 companies, such as Ingram Micro, Western Digital, and Pacific Life. It is also the home of many popular technology companies, including VIZIO, Lynksys, and Blizzard Entertainment.

There is no shortage of sports when living in Orange County, California. The Los Angeles Angels, Anaheim Ducks, and Orange County SC all call Orange County home. Orange County also hosted the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Clippers before both teams relocated in the 1990s.

According to the Köppen Classification, Orange County has a Mediterranean climate. This means that the county experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. The temperature in Orange County rarely drops below 41ºF and rarely goes above 87ºF. These amazing weather conditions, combined with incredible beaches, make Orange County a year-round tourist destination. 

Orange County Demographics

• Orange County population: 3,167,809
• Orange County population density: 3,995.5 people per square mile
• Orange County median age: 39.2
• Orange County median household income: $100,559
• Orange County median home price: $832,300
• Orange County area: 948 square miles
• Orange County educational attainment: 87.3% high school graduate (or higher), 43.1% bachelor's degree (or higher)

Largest Cities in Orange County, CA

#1. Anaheim

Anaheim is one of the northernmost cities in Orange County and is the state’s 10th-most populous city. This beautiful city is known for its famous attractions such as the Disneyland Resort, Yorba Regional Park, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The city is also home to the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Angels. It is about 25 miles from Anaheim, CA to Los Angeles, CA, making it a popular city for workers who need to commute into L.A.

• Anaheim population: 346,824 (+3.1% since 2010)
• Anaheim area: 50.88 square miles
• Anaheim median age: 34.5
• Anaheim Median household income: $81,806
• Anaheim median home price: $765,000
• Anaheim crime rate: 2,872 per 100,000 people (11.3% higher than the state average and 22.4% higher than the national average)
• Anaheim Map

 

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#2. Santa Ana

Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County and is the second most populous city in Orange County. Santa Ana has a diverse population, with 76.7% of the residents being Hispanic or Latino and 19.1% being two or more races. Downtown Santa Ana is home to many attractions such as the Bowers Museum, MainPlace Mall, and the Discovery Science Center.

• Santa Ana population: 310,227 (-4.4% since 2010)
• Santa Ana area: 27.37 square miles
• Santa Ana median age: 31.8
• Santa Ana median household income: $77,283
• Santa Ana median house price: $720,000
• Santa Ana crime rate: 2,508 per 100,000 people (2.8% lower than the state average and 6.9% higher than the national average)
• Santa Ana Map

#3. Irvine

Developed in the 1960s, Irvine is one of the most interesting Orange County cities. Irvine is a planned city that was designed by architect William Pereira and Irvine Company employee Raymond Watson. The city is divided into similarly-designed “villages” that are separated by six-lane streets. Irvine has one of the lowest crime rates in the county and is one of the most popular areas for young families. If you are looking for things to do in Irvine, then check out the Irvine Spectrum Center, Tanaka Farms, and Great Park.

• Irvine population: 307,670 (+44.8% since 2010)
• Irvine area: 65.92 square miles
• Irvine median age: 34.2
• Irvine median household income: $114,027
• Irvine median house price: $1,270,000
• Irvine crime rate: 1,550 per 100,000 people (39.9% lower than the state average and 33.9% lower than the national average)
• Irvine Map 

#4. Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach, or “Surf City,” is one of the most popular cities in Orange County, California. The city is known for its 9.5 mile long stretch of beaches. Surfers come from all over the world to catch a few waves in Huntington Beach. The city is known for its gorgeous views, prime real estate, and friendly people. Some of the top Huntington Beach attractions include the International Surfing Museum, the Huntington Beach Pier, and the Old World Village.

• Huntington Beach population: 198,711 (+4.5% since 2010)
• Huntington Beach area: 28.33 square miles
• Huntington Beach median age: 42.4
• Huntington Beach median household income: $104,728
• Huntington Beach median house price: $1,050,000
• Huntington Beach crime rate: 2,209 per 100,000 people (14.4% lower than the state average and 5.8% lower than the national average)
• Huntington Beach Map

#5. Garden Grove

First founded in 1874, Garden Grove is a popular city in Northern Orange County. Garden Grove is one of the more affordable places to live in Orange County, with a median home price of $797,500. The city is home to the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, which is one of the largest community festivals in the western United States. This festival attracts nearly 250,000 visitors every year.

• Garden Grove population: 171,949 (+0.62% since 2010)
• Garden Grove area: 17.98 square miles
• Garden Grove median age: 38.5
• Garden Grove median household income: $78,046
• Garden Grove median house price: $797,500 
• Garden Grove crime rate: 2,592 per 100,000 people (0.4% higher than the state average and 10.5% higher than the national average)
• Garden Grove Map

#6. Fullerton

Fullerton is one of the Orange County, California cities with the most history. Historically, it was a center of agriculture and known for lush fields of oranges and other citrus crops. Today, it is known for its amazing higher education institutions, such as California State University (Fullerton Campus) and Fullerton College.

• Fullerton population: 143,617 (+6.2% since 2010)
• Fullerton area: 22.44 square miles
• Fullerton median age: 35.4
• Fullerton median household income: $92,718
• Fullerton median house price: $844,500
• Fullerton crime rate: 2,704 per 100,000 people (4.8% higher than the state average and 15.3% higher than the national average)
• Fullerton Map

#7. Orange

Not to be confused with the county itself, the city of Orange was incorporated in 1888. Orange has some of the most unique and beautiful real estate in the county, with most of the homes in its Old Town District dating back to before the 1920s. Orange is a very safe place to live as the crime rates are both below the state and national average. The city of Orange is known for the annual Orange International Street Fair, which draws in thousands of visitors every year.

• Orange population: 139,911 (+2.5% since 2010)
• Orange area: 25.81 square miles
• Orange median age: 35.2
• Orange median household income: $102,125
• Orange median house price: $920,000
• Orange crime rate: 1,855 per 100,000 people (28.1% lower than the state average and 20.9% lower than the national average)
• Orange Map

#8. Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa is one of the best cities in Orange County for anyone working in the retail or service industries. The city is home to the South Coast Plaza, which is the largest shopping center on the West Coast and generates over $1 billion per year. Other top employers in the area include Winfield Locks, El Pollo Loco, and Experian.

• Costa Mesa population: 111,918 (+1.7% since 2010)
• Costa Mesa area: 15.81 square miles
• Costa Mesa median age: 35.2
• Costa Mesa median household income: $96,391
• Costa Mesa median house price: $1,150,500
• Costa Mesa crime rate: 3,591 per 100,000 people (39.1% higher than the state average and 53.1% higher than the national average)
• Costa Mesa Map

 

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#9. Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo is one of the largest master-planned communities ever built in the United States. It is a commuter city, meaning most of the area is residential rather than commercial or industrial. So if you are looking for a quiet Orange County city with a low crime rate, then Mission Viejo is a great option. Although the area is mostly residential, there are a few incredible restaurants in the area, including Islands Restaurant, Delizie Ristorante, and Antonucci’s Italian and Seafood Restaurant. 

Find out what it's like living in Mission Viejo with our complete guide!

• Mission Viejo population: 93,653 (+0.3% since 2010)
• Mission Viejo area: 18.03 square miles
• Mission Viejo median age: 45.5
• Mission Viejo median household income: $126,320
• Mission Viejo median house price: $1,050,000
• Mission Viejo crime rate: 978 per 100,000 people (62.1% lower than the state average and 58.3% lower than the national average)
• Mission Viejo Map

 

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#10. Westminster

Westminster is a city in Northern Orange County with a rich history. The city is best known for the Vietnamese refugees who immigrated to the city during the 1980s. Today, Westminster is still one of the cities with the highest Vietnamese American population and is full of life, culture, and friendly people. Some of the top attractions in Westminster include The Pumpkin Factory, Mile Square Regional Park, and the Vietnam War Memorial.

• Westminster population: 90,911 (+1.3% since 2010)
• Westminster area: 10.04 square miles
• Westminster median age: 41.8
• Westminster median household income: $71,108
• Westminster median house price: $920,000
• Westminster crime rate: 3,095 per 100,000 people (19.9% higher than the state average and 31.9% higher than the national average)
• Westminster Map

List of Cities in Orange County, California

Cities in Orange County, CA Map

Check out this map of cities in Orange County for more information on where each city is located.

FAQ Section

How many cities are there in Orange County?

There are 34 incorporated cities in Orange County.

What is the most populous city in Orange County?

Anaheim is the most populous city in Orange County. The population of Anaheim is 346,824.

What is the wealthiest city in Orange County?

Although Irvine, Costa Mesa, and Huntington Beach are very expensive, the wealthiest city in Orange County is Newport Beach. Newport Beach has a population of 85,239 and is 52.92 square miles. The average home price in Newport Beach is $3,087,500, and the median household income is $142,463.

Which city is the largest in land size?

Irvine is the largest in land size out of all of the Orange County cities. Irvine is 65.92 square miles.

What is the most crowded city in Orange County?

The most densely populated Orange County city is Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a population density of 11,000 people per square mile.

Which One of Orange County’s Cities is Right for You?

If you are thinking about moving to Orange County, any of these incredible cities would be a great choice. Daly Moving is a trustworthy, reliable, and professional moving company in Orange County. Our experts are here to handle all of your relocation needs. Feel free to call our Orange County movers today at 800-395-6683 to discuss your move and get a free quote!