Laguna Woods, California

Laguna Woods (Laguna, Spanish for "Lagoon") is a city in Orange County, California, United States. The population was 17,644 at the 2020 census, up from 16,192 at the 2010 census, with a median age of 74.5 (as of 2021).

Laguna Woods became Orange County's 32nd city on March 24, 1999, after local residents voted to incorporate. 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.

History
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.

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.

On May 15, 2022, a shooting occurred at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods. One person was killed and five others were injured. The attack is believed to have been motivated by anti-Taiwanese sentiment.

Geography
Laguna Woods is located at 33.60917°N, -117.73278°W (33.609165, -117.732791). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.1 sqmi, which is virtually all land.

It is bordered by Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Beach, and Irvine, as well as and the Laguna Coast State Park and other natural open spaces.

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.

2020
The 2020 United States Census reported a population of 17,701. The racial makeup was 74.4% White, 0.5% African American, 21.2% Asian, and 5.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010
At the 2010 census Laguna Woods had a population of 16,192. The population density was 5,196.9 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Laguna Woods was 14,133 (87.3%) White (84.0% Non-Hispanic White), 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%).

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.

2000
At the 2000 census there were 16,507 people in 11,699 households, including 3,989 families, in the city. The population density was 5,158.4 PD/sqmi. There were 12,650 housing units at an average density of 3,953.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 96.12% White, 0.25% Black, 0.12% American Indian, 2.50% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.06%.

Of the 11,699 households 0.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.7% were married couples living together, 2.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 65.9% were non-families. 62.2% of households were one person and 57.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.40 and the average family size was 2.06.

The age distribution was 0.6% under the age of 18, 0.2% from 18 to 24, 2.2% from 25 to 44, 10.6% from 45 to 64, and 86.4% 65 or older. The median age was 78 years. For every 100 females, there were 51.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 51.6 males.

The median household income was $30,493 and the median family income was $46,889. Males had a median income of $56,563 versus $35,188 for females. The per capita income for the city was $32,071. About 2.6% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government
In the state legislature, Laguna Woods is in, and in.

In the United States House of Representatives, Laguna Woods is in, and in California's 47th congressional district, represented by Democrat Katie Porter

According to the California Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2019, Laguna Woods has 14,027 registered voters. 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.

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 are provided by Laguna Woods Village Security.