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Laguna Woods, California
City in California, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Laguna Woods (luh-GOO-nuh; laguna being 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.
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History
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Indigenous
The Acjachemen and the Tongva were the original inhabitants of this area and throughout Orange County. The Acjachemen were the main residents dating back 16,000 years while the Tongva had less villages in the area.[11]
20th century
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.[12]
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.[13]
21st century
On May 15, 2022, a shooting occurred at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods. One person was killed and five others were injured.[14] The attack is believed to have been motivated by anti-Taiwanese sentiment.[15]
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Geography
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, as well as the Laguna Coast State Park and other natural open spaces.[16]
Demographics
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Laguna Woods first appeared as a city in the 2000 U.S. Census.[19]
2020
The 2020 United States census reported that Laguna Woods had a population of 17,644. The population density was 5,279.5 inhabitants per square mile (2,038.4/km2). The racial makeup of Laguna Woods was 70.8% White, 0.9% African American, 0.2% Native American, 21.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 5.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.3% of the population.[24]
The census reported that 99.6% of the population lived in households, 0.1% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.2% were institutionalized.[24]
There were 11,958 households, out of which 0.9% included children under the age of 18, 32.4% were married-couple households, 2.6% were cohabiting couple households, 50.0% had a female householder with no partner present, and 15.0% had a male householder with no partner present. 56.3% of households were one person, and 50.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.47.[24] There were 4,630 families (38.7% of all households).[25]
The age distribution was 0.6% under the age of 18, 0.2% aged 18 to 24, 1.5% aged 25 to 44, 15.5% aged 45 to 64, and 82.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 74.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 60.5 males.[24]
There were 13,414 housing units at an average density of 4,013.8 units per square mile (1,549.7 units/km2), of which 11,958 (89.1%) were occupied. Of these, 72.5% were owner-occupied, and 27.5% were occupied by renters.[24]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $60,235, and the per capita income was $54,008. About 7.6% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line.[26]
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),[27] 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%).[28]
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.[27]
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Government
In the state legislature, Laguna Woods is in the 37th senatorial district, represented by Republican Steven Choi, and in the 72nd Assembly district, represented by Republican Diane Dixon.[29]
In the United States House of Representatives, Laguna Woods is in California's 40th congressional district, represented by Republican Young Kim,[30] and in California's 47th congressional district, represented by Democrat Dave Min since 2025.
Additionally, in the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Laguna Woods is in the fifth district, represented by Katrina Foley.
According to the Orange County Registrar of Voters, as of May 14, 2025, Laguna Woods has 15,420 registered voters.[31] 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.[32]
Crime
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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.[34]
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[35] are provided by Laguna Woods Village Security.
Transportation
Orange County Transportation Authority operates bus transportation throughout Laguna Woods.[36]
Water Services
Water in Laguna Woods is supplied by the Moulton Niguel Water District,[37] which sources its water from the Metropolitan Water District Southern California. This water is imported from both the Colorado River and the State Water Project. [38]
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References
External links
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