Irvine

by The Linguist

Irvine, California

Irvine is a city located in Orange County, California. As of the 2020 census, Irvine had a population of 288,386, making it one of the largest cities in Orange County and the state.

Population and Demographics

Irvine has seen rapid population growth since its incorporation in 1971 when the population was just 10,081. By 1980, the population had grown to 62,036 and by 1990 it had reached 110,330. This growth has continued into the 21st century. Besides its overall population, Irvine has a highly diverse population. According to the 2020 Census, Irvine’s racial makeup is 45.1% Asian, 31.3% White, 1.8% Black, 0.4% American Indian, 4.6% Two or More Races, and 15.1% Hispanic or Latino.

History of Irvine

The area that is now Irvine was originally inhabited by the Tongva people. The first Europeans to visit the area were members of the Portola expedition in 1769. In 1864, James Irvine acquired the Mexican land grants surrounding the area, establishing the Irvine Ranch. In 1959, the University of California, Irvine was established on a parcel of Irvine Ranch land. Irvine Ranch was master planned as a city in the 1960s, leading to Irvine’s incorporation in 1971. Since then, Irvine has developed rapidly into a major suburban city in Orange County. To learn more about Irvine’s history, visit the Irvine Public Library local history page.

Economy and Major Employers

Irvine has a strong technology, financial services, and healthcare-focused economy. According to the US Census Bureau, the industries employing the most people in Irvine are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (15,189 people), Educational Services (9,073 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (7,529 people).

Major employers headquartered in Irvine include:

  • Broadcom – Wireless semiconductor company
  • Edwards Lifesciences – Medical devices company
  • Blizzard Entertainment – Video game developer
  • Kofax – Software company
  • Allergan – Pharmaceutical company

Contact information for these companies:

  • Broadcom – 1320 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95131, (408) 433-8000
  • Edwards Lifesciences – One Edwards Way, Irvine, CA 92614, (949) 250-2500
  • Blizzard Entertainment – 16215 Alton Pkwy #200, Irvine, CA 92618, (949) 955-1380
  • Kofax – 15211 Laguna Canyon Road, Irvine, CA 92618, (949) 783-1333
  • Allergan – 2525 Dupont Dr, Irvine, CA 92612, (714) 246-4500

Attractions and Landmarks

Irvine has many attractions and landmarks for visitors to enjoy:

Some other landmarks and attractions include:

  • Orange County Great Park Balloon – Giant helium balloon ride offering views
  • Irvine Spectrum Center – Large shopping, dining, and entertainment destination
  • University of California, Irvine – Major public university campus
  • Orange County Museum of Art
  • Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

Transportation

Irvine is served by several major highways and freeways, including Interstate 405, Interstate 5, and California State Routes 133 and 261. Public transportation options include:

  • Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) – Bus system serving Irvine and Orange County
  • Metrolink – Regional commuter rail system with a stop in Irvine
  • John Wayne Airport – Located nearby in Costa Mesa and serves commercial air travel needs

County and City Government

Irvine is located in Orange County, California. The county seat and most populous city is Santa Ana.

Orange County website: https://www.ocgov.com/
Orange County address: 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Orange County phone: (714) 834-3000

The City of Irvine website: https://www.cityofirvine.org/
City of Irvine address: 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606
City of Irvine phone: (949) 724-6000

The City of Irvine also has an active Facebook page.

Sports

Irvine is home to several professional and collegiate sports teams:

School Districts

These are the primary public school districts serving Irvine:

There are also many private schools located in Irvine and surrounding cities.

Additional Local Resources

Map of Irvine, California