Placentia, California | |
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.jpeg) Placita Santa Fe in Old Town Placentia (2021) | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Motto: "A pleasant place to live."[1] | |
 Location of Placentia inOrange County, California | |
  Placentia, California Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:33°52′57″N117°51′18″W / 33.88250°N 117.85500°W /33.88250; -117.85500 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Orange |
| Incorporated | December 2, 1926[2] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Administrator |
| • Mayor | Chad Wanke |
| • Mayor Pro Tem | Jeremy B. Yamaguchi |
| • City council | Ward Smith Tom Hummer Kevin Kirwin[3] |
| • Treasurer | Kevin Larson[4] |
| • City Administrator | Tom Hatch[5] |
| Area | |
• Total | 6.63 sq mi (17.16 km2) |
| • Land | 6.61 sq mi (17.12 km2) |
| • Water | 0.015 sq mi (0.04 km2) 0.22% |
| Elevation | 272 ft (83 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 51,824 |
| • Density | 7,840/sq mi (3,027.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes | 92870–92871 |
| Area code | 714 |
| FIPS code | 06-57526 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1661237,2411432 |
| Website | www |
Placentia (/pləˈsɛnʃə/plə-SEN-shə) is a city inOrange County, California, United States. It is part of theLos Angeles metropolitan area. Placentia's population was 51,233 at the2020 US census. The city is primarily referred to as abedroom community,
In 1971, Placentia was honored with theAll-America City Award, given out annually by theNational Civic League[9] to 10 cities in the United States.[10]
Indigenous peoples of California referred to by the Spanish asGabrielenos, known as theTongva, lived in the area for thousands of years. One estimate wrote that the native population in what was to become northern Orange County was at least 1,000.[11] The large village ofHutuknga was closely situated to the area that is now Placentia.[12]
In 1837, the Mexican government granted the area that is now Placentia to Juan Pacifico Ontiveros as part of theRancho San Juan Cajón de Santa Ana land grant.[13]
In 1865, American pioneerDaniel Kraemer arrived and purchased 3,900 acres (1,600 ha). Many other American pioneers soon followed, and the community developed.[13]
The local school district was originally named the Cajon School District. In 1878, the school district's name was changed to Placentia School District by Sarah Jane McFadden, Placentia being derived from a Latin word meaning "pleasant place to live". She was the wife of William McFadden, who was the second White settler to arrive in Placentia.[14] The town eventually took its own name after the school district.[13]
The first commercial orange grove was established in 1880, worked by mostly Mexican and English laborers.[11]
From a handful of scattered ranches, the core of the town was developed around 1910. It functioned as a major railroad stop along theSanta Fe Railroad for processing oranges. Later, during theGreat Depression, a brief strike of citrus workers occurred in Placentia.[11]
Oil was found in 1919, which led to the development of numerous oil wells in eastern and northern Placentia. The town of Richfield, which later becameAtwood, was built to house oil workers. Mexican laborers formed the majority of the labor force in the oil industry. The neighboring town ofLa Jolla, Placentia was constructed for a similar reason as a segregatedcolonia.[11]
Several schools were constructed in Placentia from the 1910s to the 1930s that weresegregated between White and Mexican students.[11] Isabel Martínez was the first student of Mexican parentage to graduate fromFullerton High School in 1931, being celebrated in thePlacentia Courier as an "exceptional" Mexican. Within six years, the number of Placentia students graduating high school numbered only six.[15]
The predominately Mexican areas of Placentia were heavily hit by theSanta Ana Riverflood of 1938, which destroyed everything in the area but "the La Jolla School Building and three brick structures." The flood left 3,700 refugees and 1,500 homes uninhabitable, and "caused more than 50 deaths, most from the Atwood area."[16]
Mexican-Americanwar veterans fromWorld War II worked to end school segregation in Placentia in 1948.[11] This campaign was led by Alfred Aguirre, who noted that some white ranchers believed Mexicans were good fruit pickers, but that "the White kids are too advanced" for Mexican students to keep up in the classroom.[17]
The Mexican-American community in Placentia developed its own political power base in the 1950s. This resulted in the election of Aguirre to Placentia's city council from 1958 to 1962 and the registration of hundreds ofChicano voters in the city.[17]
In July 2020, Placentia organized and established its own fire department, Placentia Fire and Life Safety Department, leaving theOrange County Fire Authority as the first city to ever disband from the OCFA.[13]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17 km2), of which 0.22% is covered by water.State Route 57 (the Orange Freeway) runs through the southwest section of Placentia.State Route 91 (the Riverside Freeway) passes directly south of the city. Districts in Placentia include the neighborhood of La Jolla and the formerly unincorporated community of Atwood.
According to theKöppen climate classification, Placentia has awarm-summer Mediterranean climate,CSA on climate maps.[18]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 1,606 | — | |
| 1940 | 1,472 | −8.3% | |
| 1950 | 1,682 | 14.3% | |
| 1960 | 5,861 | 248.5% | |
| 1970 | 21,948 | 274.5% | |
| 1980 | 35,041 | 59.7% | |
| 1990 | 41,259 | 17.7% | |
| 2000 | 46,488 | 12.7% | |
| 2010 | 50,533 | 8.7% | |
| 2020 | 51,824 | 2.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[19] 1860–1870[20][21] 1880-1890[22] 1900[23] 1910[24] 1920[25] 1930[26] 1940[27] 1950[28] 1960[29] 1970[30] 1980[31] 1990[32]2000[33] 2010[34] 2020[35] | |||
Placentia was first listed as a city in the1930 U.S. Census.[26] Prior to 1920, the area was part of unincorporated Fullerton Township (pop 5,037 in 1920).[25]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[36] | Pop 1990[37] | Pop 2000[38] | Pop 2010[39] | Pop 2020[35] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 25,747 | 26,912 | 24,967 | 22,590 | 18,993 | 73.48% | 65.23% | 53.71% | 44.70% | 36.65% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 424 | 696 | 746 | 818 | 946 | 1.21% | 1.69% | 1.60% | 1.62% | 1.83% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 250 | 139 | 177 | 123 | 105 | 0.71% | 0.34% | 0.38% | 0.24% | 0.20% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 1,421 | 3,272 | 5,121 | 7,457 | 9,940 | 4.06% | 7.93% | 11.02% | 14.76% | 19.18% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 65 | 58 | 69 | 0.14% | 0.11% | 0.13% | ||||
| Other race alone (NH) | 81 | 66 | 61 | 74 | 219 | 0.23% | 0.16% | 0.13% | 0.15% | 0.42% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x | x | 891 | 997 | 1,861 | x | x | 1.92% | 1.97% | 3.59% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7,118 | 10,174 | 14,460 | 18,416 | 19,691 | 20.31% | 24.66% | 31.10% | 36.44% | 38.00% |
| Total | 35,041 | 41,259 | 46,488 | 50,533 | 51,824 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The2020 United States census reported that Placentia had a population of 51,824. The population density was 7,837.9 inhabitants per square mile (3,026.2/km2). The racial makeup of Placentia was 43.4%White, 2.0%African American, 1.1%Native American, 19.5%Asian, 0.2%Pacific Islander, 17.5% fromother races, and 16.4% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 38.0% of the population.[40]
The census reported that 99.3% of the population lived in households, 0.5% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.2% were institutionalized.[40]
There were 16,915 households, out of which 36.5% included children under the age of 18, 56.5% were married-couple households, 5.5% werecohabiting couple households, 24.4% had a female householder with no partner present, and 13.6% had a male householder with no partner present. 17.4% of households were one person, and 9.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.04.[40] There were 12,897families (76.2% of all households).[41]
The age distribution was 22.3% under the age of 18, 9.7% aged 18 to 24, 25.6% aged 25 to 44, 26.1% aged 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males.[40]
There were 17,368 housing units at an average density of 2,626.7 units per square mile (1,014.2 units/km2), of which 16,915 (97.4%) were occupied. Of these, 63.2% were owner-occupied, and 36.8% were occupied by renters.[40]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated the median household income was $110,575, and theper capita income was $46,069. About 6.2% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line.[42]
The2010 United States census[43] reported that Placentia had a population of 50,533. Thepopulation density was 7,677.0 people per square mile (2,964.1 people/km2). Theracial makeup of Placentia was:
The census reported that 50,196 people (99.3% of the population) lived in households, 253 (0.5%) lived in noninstitutionalized group quarters, and 84 (0.2%) were institutionalized.
Of the 16,365 households, 38.6% had children under 18 living in them, 57.4% were opposite-sex married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, 4.6% wereunmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 0.6% weresame-sex married couples or partnerships. About 17.6% of households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.07. There were 12,366families (75.6% of all households); the average family size was 3.44.
In the city, the age distribution was 24.6% under 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% were 65 or older. The median age was 36.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.
The 16,872 housing units had an average density of 2,563.2 units per square mile (989.7 units/km2), of which 10,681 (65.3%) were owner-occupied and 5,684 (34.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.7%. About 62.9% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 36.5% lived in rental housing units.
Themedian household income was $75,693, with 12.2% of the population living below the federal poverty line.[44]
Placentia has a $20 millionMetrolink project that started in the downtown area in 2013.[clarification needed] This project is in conjunction with theOrange 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.[45] All are 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 around $580 million in funding to build underpasses and/or overpasses at the major north–south roadways in the two cities. The roadways are Lakeview Avenue, Rose Drive/Tustin Avenue, Orangethorpe Avenue, Kraemer Boulevard, Placentia Avenue, State College Boulevard, and Raymond Avenue. The underpasses and overpasses at Placentia, Kraemer, Rose/Tustin and Lakeview are complete.[46][47]
According to Placentia's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report:,[48] the top employers in the city are:
| Number | Employer | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District | 2,500 |
| 2 | UCI Health - Placentia | 390 |
| 3 | Hartwell | 300 |
| 4 | Premedia | 305 |
| 5 | City of Placentia | 215 |
TheGeorge Key Ranch Historic District is a historic citrus ranch and Victorian ranch house in Placentia. It is now within the 2-acre (0.81 ha) George Key Ranch Historic Park, with thehistoric house museum, outdoor displays, and a citrus grove. It is on theNational Register of Historic Places. The Placentia-Santa Fe District is in the southwest or downtown area. The town is home to theA. S. Bradford House, a historic house museum. It is also home to the 100-year-old Berkenstock Mansion.[10]
In 1973,Chicano Park's "founding lead artist" Guillermo Aranda and "founding apprentice artist" Ernesto "Neto" Paul (San Diego natives) collaborated with the art students of theUniversity of California, Irvine (UCI) in painting a mural (about 8 x 36 ft) on the walls of theTlatepaque Restaurant. Aranda was invited by a professor at UCI. The following year, the chairman of Toltecas en Aztlan, and the board director of the Centro Cultural De La Raza, Guillermo Aranda, also invited these same Orange County artists referred to as the "Santa Ana muralists/Santa Ana artists", to come toChicano Park and paint on one of the first pillars (second painted pillar) of Chicano Park.
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020[49] | 51.81%13,616 | 46.17%12,135 | 2.02%531 |
| 2016[50] | 46.49%9,828 | 46.43%9,814 | 7.08%1,497 |
| 2012[51] | 42.08%8,581 | 55.66%11,348 | 2.26%461 |
| 2008[52] | 43.41%9,022 | 54.51%11,329 | 2.07%431 |
| 2004[53] | 35.82%7,028 | 63.15%12,390 | 1.03%203 |
| 2000[54] | 37.29%6,674 | 59.12%10,580 | 3.59%643 |
| 1996[55] | 35.94%5,673 | 54.58%8,615 | 9.48%1,497 |
| 1992[56] | 29.26%5,097 | 48.01%8,364 | 22.73%3,959 |
| 1988[57] | 28.62%4,612 | 70.31%11,328 | 1.07%172 |
| 1984[58] | 22.81%3,396 | 76.39%11,375 | 0.80%119 |
| 1980[59] | 22.06%3,142 | 69.17%9,853 | 8.78%1,250 |
Placentia is acharter city with elected city council members, city clerk, and city treasurer, and professional city manager.
Unless otherwise noted, mayoral terms begin and end in December.
| Mayor | Term(s) |
|---|---|
| Norman Z. Eckenrode | 1989–90, 1993–94, 1996–98 |
| Arthur G. Newton | 1990–91 |
| John O. Tynes | 1991–92 |
| Maria Moreno | 1992–93 |
| Michael Maertzweiler | 1994–95, 1999–2000 |
| Carol Downey | 1995–96 |
| Constance Underhill | 1998–99, 2006–07 |
| Chris Lowe | 2000–02 |
| Scott P. Brady | 2002–03, 2004–06 |
| Judy Dickinson | 2003–04 |
| Gregory Sowards | 2008–09 |
| Joseph Aguirre | 2009–10 |
| Scott W. Nelson | 2007–08, 2010–11, 2012–14 |
| Jeremy Yamaguchi | 2011–12, 2015–16 |
| Chad Wanke | 2014–15, 2017–18 |
| Craig Green | 2016–17 |
| Rhonda Shader | 2018–19 |
The voters of Placentia also elect the boards of the Placentia Library District and thePlacentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.
In theCalifornia State Senate, Placentia is split betweenthe 34th senatorial district, represented byDemocrat Tom Umberg, andthe 37th senatorial district, represented byRepublican Steven Choi. In theCalifornia State Assembly, it is inthe 59th Assembly district, represented byRepublican Phillip Chen.[61]
In theUnited States House of Representatives, Placentia is inCalifornia's 45th congressional district, represented byDemocrat Derek Tran.[62]
According to theCalifornia Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2019, Placentia has 27,328 registered voters. Of those, 10,285 (37.64%) are registered Republicans, 8,510 (31.14%) are registered Democrats, and 7,400 (27.08%) have no political party preference or are independent.[63]
Placentia is served by thePlacentia Library District, an independent special district governed by an elected board of trustees. The district was formed in 1919 and has served the community since then.
Today, the Placentia Library District has over 330,000 visitors annually, with over 42,000 library cards issued. The library holds over 102,000 materials. In September 2018, the Placentia Library began a major $2.3 million renovation/modernization project as part of the library's centennial anniversary. The project was completed on September 14, 2019.[64][65]
Placentia is a part of thePlacentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD). The threehigh schools in the city are:
In addition, Placentia supports: Kraemer Middle School, Valadez Middle School Academy, andTuffree 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.
The Parkview School provides an independent study kindergarten-grade 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."[66]
TheMetrolink91/Perris Valley Line passes through the southern portion of the city. The city has been preparing the area of a proposed new station located at Melrose Avenue and Crowther Avenue in Old Town Placentia.Placentia Station is estimated to cost $35 million; the city will contribute $5.4 million. A tentative completion date was set for June 2022, but construction is now "on hold" pending further negotiations withBNSF.[67]
In 2007, the city becamethe first city to implement a quiet zone[68] for the cargo-carrying trains that pass through the city daily, using locomotive grade-crossing predictors and intercrossing ground-based radio communications to effect a corridor where crossing gate arms become actuated prior to the train's approach, enabling trains to not be required to announce their approach by sounding theMorse code letter "Q" on their whistles, which is otherwise mandated by theFederal Railroad Administration. The city'sQuiet-Zone-Update web pages offer information on the zone's scope and any temporary or long-term alterations to the quiet zone.
The city is served by theOrange County Transportation Authority'sbus routes, with:
The2002 Placentia train collision occurred on April 23, 2002, when aBNSF Railway freight train collidedhead-on with aMetrolink train in Placentia, near the Atwood Junction, at the intersection of Orangethorpe Avenue and Van Buren Street. Two people died in the crash and 22 were seriously injured.[70][71]
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