By Eric Engelbert | Updated July 2026
Orange County by the Numbers
Orange County, California, is a stretch of Pacific coastline home to some of the most desirable communities in the country. From iconic theme parks and surf-ready beaches to master-planned neighborhoods and vibrant cultural districts, every city in the county offers something distinct. Below are the ten largest cities in Orange County using 2025 population estimates from the California Department of Finance, with highlights on what makes each community stand out. We also look at three of the county's smallest and most charming cities. If you are considering a move, links to homes for sale are included throughout.
The Ten Largest Cities in Orange County
#1 • Largest City
Anaheim
Population: Approximately 345,940
Anaheim remains the largest city in Orange County, anchored by the iconic Disneyland Resort, encompassing Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and the Downtown Disney shopping and dining district. Beyond the Magic Kingdom, Anaheim is a major sports hub, home to the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium and the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. The Anaheim Convention Center brings millions of visitors annually, supporting a robust hospitality and retail economy. With ongoing investment in its Platinum Triangle urban village and diverse residential neighborhoods, Anaheim continues to offer tremendous energy and opportunity for buyers at all price points.
#2
Irvine
Population: Approximately 318,629
In a notable shift, Irvine has overtaken Santa Ana to become Orange County's second-largest city, fueled by sustained residential development at the award-winning Great Park Neighborhoods on the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro site. The city has entitlements for more than 10,500 homes at Great Park alone. Irvine is consistently ranked among the safest and most livable cities in the United States, offering top-rated Irvine Unified schools, abundant parkland, and a thriving business corridor. The University of California, Irvine anchors a growing biotech and tech-sector job base, making the city especially popular with families and professionals.
#3
Santa Ana
Population: Approximately 315,325
Santa Ana is Orange County's cultural and governmental heart, home to the county seat, federal courthouse, and a rich arts scene centered in its historic downtown. Attractions like the Bowers Museum, the Discovery Cube Orange County, and the vibrant 4th Street Market draw visitors from across the region. The city's architectural fabric ranges from beautifully preserved Victorian and Spanish Colonial Revival homes in neighborhoods like Floral Park to newly built condominiums near the transit corridor. Santa Ana's ongoing Downtown Renaissance initiative continues to bring new restaurants, galleries, and creative businesses to one of Southern California's most historically significant urban cores.
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#4
Huntington Beach
Population: Approximately 193,134
"Surf City USA" needs no introduction. Huntington Beach is synonymous with the California beach lifestyle, with the US Open of Surfing, the iconic Huntington Beach Pier (one of the longest on the West Coast), and nearly 10 miles of uninterrupted coastline. Main Street buzzes year-round with surf shops, seafood restaurants, and live music. Inland neighborhoods offer wide lots and quiet streets, while the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve provides world-class bird-watching just minutes from the shore. For buyers seeking a home where weekend plans involve surfing, cycling the beach path, or watching the sunset from the pier, Huntington Beach delivers an unmatched lifestyle.
#5
Garden Grove
Population: Approximately 170,000
Garden Grove is one of Orange County's most diverse and culturally rich cities. The striking Christ Cathedral stands as one of the most architecturally significant churches in the country and continues to draw visitors from around the world. Garden Grove is also home to a large Vietnamese-American community that complements nearby Westminster's Little Saigon corridor, together forming one of the largest concentrations of Vietnamese culture outside of Vietnam. The city's annual Strawberry Festival celebrates its agricultural heritage and remains one of the county's most beloved community events. Its central location, affordability relative to coastal cities, and improving retail scene make it an attractive option for buyers.
#6
Fullerton
Population: Approximately 141,075
Fullerton has a personality all its own as a college town with a serious arts pedigree, a beloved downtown bar and music district along Wilshire Avenue, and some of the most architecturally interesting residential neighborhoods in the county. California State University, Fullerton drives a young, creative energy throughout the city, and Hope University adds to its strong educational ecosystem. Architecture enthusiasts seek out Fullerton for its collection of midcentury homes, including Joseph Eichler and Cliff May residences that are increasingly prized by design-conscious buyers. The Fullerton Arboretum and an active trail system round out the outdoor offerings.
#7
Orange
Population: Approximately 138,897
The city of Orange is perhaps best known for its remarkable Old Towne District, a true historic downtown centered on a traffic circle with antique shops, locally owned restaurants, and beautifully preserved craftsman bungalows that draw weekend visitors from across the region. Chapman University gives the city a vibrant academic anchor, and the city hosts a wide range of community events throughout the year. Orange is also notable for three distinct neighborhoods featuring Joseph Eichler homes: flat-roofed, glass-walled midcentury masterpieces that command a loyal following among architecture lovers and design enthusiasts.
#8
Costa Mesa
Population: Approximately 112,686
Costa Mesa punches well above its weight in terms of culture, dining, and family amenities. The world-class Segerstrom Center for the Arts, home to the Pacific Symphony, South Coast Repertory, and major Broadway touring productions, anchors the city's cultural identity. South Coast Plaza, one of the highest-grossing shopping centers in the United States, draws shoppers from across Southern California. Beyond retail and the arts, Costa Mesa has built a strong reputation as a family-centric community with well-maintained parks, excellent public schools, and active youth sports programs. Its proximity to Newport Beach and the coast makes it highly desirable without the steep beachfront premium.
#9
Mission Viejo
Population: Approximately 91,500
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in California, Mission Viejo offers a polished, planned community environment that appeals strongly to families and retirees alike. Lake Mission Viejo, a private lake available to residents, is the centerpiece of the city's lifestyle, offering boating, swimming, concerts, and fishing throughout the year. The city's parks, trails, and well-maintained streetscapes make it one of South County's most attractive communities. Mission Viejo is also home to two acclaimed 55+ adult communities with lake access: Casta Del Sol and Palmia, both offering resort-style amenities and an active social calendar.
#10
Westminster
Population: Approximately 88,729
Westminster is home to the heart of Little Saigon, the largest Vietnamese-American community in the world outside of Vietnam. The area along Bolsa Avenue is a culinary and cultural destination, offering authentic Vietnamese cuisine, specialty grocers, vibrant festivals such as the Tết (Lunar New Year) celebrations, and a rich sense of heritage and community pride. Westminster's housing stock offers solid value compared to many neighboring cities, with a mix of single-family homes and newer condominiums. Its central location in the northern part of the county provides easy access to both the 405 and 22 freeways, making it a practical choice for commuters.
The Smallest Cities in Orange County
While Orange County includes some of California's most populous cities, it is also home to a handful of small, intimate communities that offer a dramatically quieter pace of life without sacrificing access to everything the county has to offer.
Smallest • ~5,843 Residents
Villa Park
Villa Park is one of the most exclusive residential communities in all of Southern California. Known as "The Hidden Jewel" of Orange County, the city comprises almost entirely single-family homes on large lots, many an acre or more, set along tree-lined streets with minimal commercial development. There are no traffic lights within city limits, which underscores the quiet, residential character that longtime residents treasure. Villa Park's excellent schools and tight-knit community make it especially popular with families seeking privacy and space within close reach of urban amenities.
~11,780 Residents
Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos has a warm, small-town character that is increasingly rare in Orange County. The city is known for exceptional public schools; Los Alamitos Unified School District consistently ranks among the top districts in California, and the city has a strong tradition of high school athletics. The Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos provides a stable economic anchor, and the community is deeply supportive of its military families. The Rossmoor neighborhood adjacent to Los Alamitos is an unincorporated enclave known for its upscale homes and similarly strong schools, and many buyers consider both areas together when searching.
~22,564 Residents
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is in a class of its own as a coastal art colony with more than 100 art galleries, seven miles of dramatic coastline, and a civic culture deeply rooted in creativity and preservation. The city hosts the world-famous Pageant of the Masters each summer, where volunteers recreate classic artworks in stunning living tableaux. Due to Laguna Beach's rugged canyon topography, a remarkable number of homes enjoy ocean, canyon, or hillside views, including an exceptional collection of ocean view homes. From intimate artist cottages to cliff-top estates, the real estate here is among the most sought-after and most unique in Southern California.
Your Orange County Real Estate Experts
Whether you are drawn to the energy of Anaheim, the master-planned lifestyle of Irvine, the surf culture of Huntington Beach, or the quiet elegance of Villa Park, Orange County has a community to match every lifestyle and life stage. Our team brings deep, firsthand knowledge of every city in the county, from the neighborhoods buyers rarely hear about to the communities that top every "best places to live" list.
