Irvine: Master-Planned Precision in Southern California
Nearly everything about Irvine was designed before it was built. The Irvine Company, which controlled a 93,000-acre ranch dating to the 1860s, began developing the land into a planned community in the 1960s with the help of architect William Pereira. Streets follow curving patterns meant to discourage through traffic. Villages are organized around schools and parks. The result is a city of roughly 257,000 people that consistently ranks among the safest large cities in the United States, though critics note the uniformity and the restrictions imposed by homeowner associations across much of the housing stock.
The University of California, Irvine opened in 1965 and has grown into a major research university with over 36,000 students. Its presence attracted technology and pharmaceutical companies to the surrounding area. Broadcom, Blizzard Entertainment, and numerous biotech firms maintain offices in Irvine or the adjacent Irvine Spectrum area. The Irvine Spectrum Center itself is a large outdoor shopping and entertainment complex that draws visitors from across Orange County.
Demographically, Irvine is one of the most diverse cities in Orange County, with a large Asian-American population, particularly Korean-American and Chinese-American residents. The city's school system is regarded as one of the strongest in California, which is a primary factor driving family migration to the area. The cost of entry is steep: median home prices in Irvine are well above the California average, which is already among the highest in the nation.
Show more
Nearly everything about Irvine was designed before it was built. The Irvine Company, which controlled a 93,000-acre ranch dating to the 1860s, began developing the land into a planned community in the 1960s with the help of architect William Pereira. Streets follow curving patterns meant to discourage through traffic. Villages are organized around schools and parks. The result is a city of roughly 257,000 people that consistently ranks among the safest large cities in the United States, though critics note the uniformity and the restrictions imposed by homeowner associations across much of the housing stock.
The University of California, Irvine opened in 1965 and has grown into a major research university with over 36,000 students. Its presence attracted technology and pharmaceutical companies to the surrounding area. Broadcom, Blizzard Entertainment, and numerous biotech firms maintain offices in Irvine or the adjacent Irvine Spectrum area. The Irvine Spectrum Center itself is a large outdoor shopping and entertainment complex that draws visitors from across Orange County.
Demographically, Irvine is one of the most diverse cities in Orange County, with a large Asian-American population, particularly Korean-American and Chinese-American residents. The city's school system is regarded as one of the strongest in California, which is a primary factor driving family migration to the area. The cost of entry is steep: median home prices in Irvine are well above the California average, which is already among the highest in the nation.
Country selected
Region selected
City selected
