Anaheim

by The Linguist

Anaheim, California

Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California with a population of 359,339 as of the 2020 census. It is the second largest city in Orange County after Santa Ana and the 10th largest city in California. Anaheim is located about 25 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles and is part of the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.

History of Anaheim [1]

Anaheim was founded in 1857 by 50 German-American families who were invited to settle the area by the Los Angeles Vineyard Society. The colony was named Annaheim, meaning “home by the Santa Ana River” in German. The name was later anglicized to Anaheim. Early Anaheim was centered around agriculture, especially grapes and oranges.

In 1870, a group of investors led by Benjamin Dreyfus, who founded BNY Mellon bank, purchased 1,165 acres from the colony to build a townsite called Anaheim Landing. This ushered in cityhood for Anaheim in 1876 when the townsite merged with the colony. Anaheim grew significantly in the late 19th century fueled by the arrival of the Santa Fe Railway and Southern Pacific Railroad.

In the 20th century, Anaheim grew into a major tourist destination, most notably when Disneyland opened in 1955. This transformed Anaheim’s economy to rely heavily on tourism and entertainment. Population boomed in the city during the latter decades of the 20th century.

Population

As of the 2020 census, Anaheim had a population of 359,339, making it the 10th largest city in California and 2nd largest in Orange County after Santa Ana. It ranks 55th in population among U.S. cities. Anaheim has seen substantial population growth in recent decades. Here are some key population stats for Anaheim:

  • 2010 Census: 336,265 people
  • 2000 Census: 328,014 people
  • 1990 Census: 266,406 people
  • 1980 Census: 219,494 people
  • 1970 Census: 166,701 people

Anaheim’s population density is 6,721 people per square mile. The racial makeup of Anaheim is:

  • White: 47.2%
  • Hispanic/Latino: 52.8%
  • Asian: 16.0%
  • Black: 2.5%
  • Two or more races: 5.0%
  • Other race: 0.5%

Anaheim has a relatively young population compared to national averages. The median age is 34.1 years old. About 28.4% of the population is under age 18 and 9.0% is over age 65.

Economy

Anaheim has a diverse economy with strengths in tourism, manufacturing, business services, and construction. Many major corporations are headquartered in the city including the Walt Disney Company, Carl Karcher Enterprises, and Anaheim Memorial Medical Center. Top employers in Anaheim include:[2]

  • Disneyland Resort – 30,000 employees
  • Kaiser Permanente – 9,000 employees
  • Northgate Gonzalez Markets – 2,000 employees
  • L-3 Communications – 1,860 employees
  • Hilton Anaheim – 1,575 employees

In 2020, Anaheim had a gross domestic product of $64 billion, which would rank it 94th among countries. The city has over 2,000 active businesses in industries such as bioscience, technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. Tourism remains a major driver of economic activity as well.

Attractions and Points of Interest

Anaheim is a major tourist destination in Southern California. Some top attractions include:

Disneyland

Disneyland is a world-famous theme park that opened in Anaheim in 1955. It was the first Disney theme park property and is one of Southern California’s most popular attractions with over 18 million annual visitors. Official Website

Anaheim Convention Center

The Anaheim Convention Center is one of the largest convention facilities on the West Coast with over 1 million square feet of meeting space. It hosts major trade shows, conventions, and other events. Official Website

Honda Center

The Honda Center is a major indoor arena that is home to the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks hockey team as well as the venue for concerts and other entertainment events. It seats up to 18,900 for concerts. Official Website

Angel Stadium

Angel Stadium is the home field of MLB’s Los Angeles Angels baseball team. The stadium opened in 1966 and seats 45,477 fans. Official Website

Anaheim Packing District

The Anaheim Packing District is a renovated historic area with multiple dining, shopping, and entertainment options including restaurants, a food hall, boutiques, and more.

Downtown Anaheim

Downtown Anaheim offers additional shopping, dining, arts, and entertainment options including the MUZEO museum and art center.

Transportation

Anaheim is serviced by multiple major transportation infrastructure that provides access both within the region and beyond:

  • Airports – John Wayne Airport is located in Anaheim and provides service to destinations across the country. Los Angeles International Airport is a major international hub located about 30 miles north of Anaheim.
  • Roads and Highways – Anaheim is located along Interstate 5 which runs north-south through the area. Other major roads include State Routes 91, 55, and 57 which connect Anaheim to the rest of Orange County and Los Angeles.
  • Bus – The Orange County Transportation Authority provides public bus service throughout Orange County including extensive routes in the Anaheim area.
  • Passenger Rail – Anaheim is served by Amtrak and Metrolink commuter rail which provide service to locations like Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, and more from the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center.

Education

Anaheim is home to over 100 public and private schools that provide education from preschool through high school. Public education is provided by these school districts:

In addition, Anaheim is home to over 30 private schools. Higher education options include Anaheim University and North Orange Continuing Education centers.

Local Resources

Here are some key resources for those looking to find out more about Anaheim:

Anaheim Map

Here is an interactive map of Anaheim:

Notable Landmarks

Here are some of Anaheim’s most famous landmarks:

Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland

1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
GPS: 33.811947, -117.918947

Sleeping Beauty Castle

The Big A, Angel Stadium

2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806
GPS: 33.800613, -117.882568

The Big A at Angel Stadium

Anaheim Packing House

440 S Anaheim Blvd #103, Anaheim, CA 92805
GPS: 33.835404, -117.925427

Anaheim Packing House