Explore Yorba Linda
As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 58,918. However, more recent development in eastern outskirts and northern hills of Yorba Linda has increased the population to nearly 71,000. One of Yorba Linda\'s most famous residents was the late former President Richard Nixon, who was born and raised in the city. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is located in Yorba Linda. The city is noted for its park-like setting.
In 2005 CNN ranked Yorba Linda 21st among the best places in the U.S. to live in. Similarly, in an article by CNN Money, Yorba Linda was one of the richest U.S. cities and the highest in Orange County as reported by the Census data, showing median household income of over $120K: "Among towns of between 65,000 and 250,000 in population, Yorba Linda, California, where six-figure incomes are the rule, had the highest median income at $121,075"
As of the census of 2000, there were 58,918 people, 19,252 households, and 16,094 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,174.4/km2 (3,042.3/mi2). There were 19,567 housing units at an average density of 390.0/km2(1,010.4/mi2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.50% White, 1.17% African American, 0.37% Native American, 11.10%Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 2.70% from other races, and 3.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.26% of the population.1
There were 19,252 households out of which 44.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.3% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.4% were non-families. 12.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.05 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $109,681, and the median income for a family was $122,373. Males had a median income of $66,712 versus $41,820 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,173. About 2.5% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.
In 1834 Bernardo Yorba, son of Jose Antonio Yorba, was granted the 13328 square acre Rancho Cann de Santa Ana by Mexican governor Jose Figueroa. Most of this original land was retained after the Mexican American war in 1848, by descendents of the original Yorba family. The city\'s original name derives from the daughter of Bernardo Yorba, Ramona Yorba. Ramona was married to Don Benito Wilson or Benjamin Davis Wilson a pioneer of Southern California, and the second Mayor of the city of Los Angeles. Benjamin Wilson (of Mount Wilson) inherited the land as a wedding gift from Bernardo Yorba and later founded and named the city in remembrance of his late wife, Ramona. A portion of the city\'s land is still owned and developed by descendents of Samuel Kraemer, who acquired it through his marriage to Angelina Yorba,the great granddaughter of Bernardo Yorba. The Yorba family still owns portions of Yorba Linda, and there is still the Yorba Ranch on the side of a major freeway. The site of the Bernardo Yorba Hacienda is listed as a California Historical Landmark.
A section of the land was sold to the Janss Investment Company in 1907, and it proceeded to subdivide the land and sell it for agriculture and manufacturing. It was connected to Los Angeles by the Pacific Electric Railway. The small town turned into a growing city in the 1960s and after a failed annexation bid by Anaheim in 1963, Yorba Linda incorporated in 1967.
In November of 2008, eastern Yorba Linda suffered from fires that destroyed 113 homes and damaged 50 others. The destruction was due largely to erratic winds causing embers to fly up to half a mile away. William Lockhart, captain of theOrange County Fire Authority, reported that water pressure is good when fighting a single family home fire, but during a profound firestorm, as was the case in this event, perfect pressure from every single hydrant at the same time is not possible.
Yorba Linda is part of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. This district is home to nearly 28,000 students.
Several schools in the district have received the California Distinguished School award, which is given to schools with qualifying marks in test scores, application, and visitation.
The schools in the PLYUSD are as follows.
- Bryant Ranch
- George Key
- Mabel Paine
- Rio Vista
- Ruby Drive
- Linda Vista
- Rose Drive
- Sierra Vista
- Travis Ranch
- Van Buren
- Bernardo Yorba
- Travis Ranch
- Yorba Linda
St. Francis of Assisi School serves as the only Catholic school in the city. Many parents seeking a private school education for their children send their high schoolers to nearby Lutheran High School of Orange County in the city of Orange, Servite High School (boys) or Rosary High School (girls) in Anaheim, or Mater Dei High School (co-ed) in Santa Ana.
The brand-new Yorba Linda High School, home of the Mustangs, started instruction in Fall 2009, in addition to one private high school also planned for construction in 2009. Historically, many Yorba Linda students also attended Troy High School in nearby Fullerton, Valencia High School in neighboring Placentia, or El Dorado High School, also located in Placentia.
There are two Montessori Preschools in Yorba Linda: