Villa Park, California

File:Portrait_of_Don_Bernardo_Yorba_by_an_unknown_artist.jpg, a wealthy Californio ranchero, owned Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, which included all of modern-day Villa Park.]]

After the 1769 expedition of Gaspar de Portolá, a Spanish expedition led by Father Junípero Serra named the area Vallejo de Santa Ana (Valley of Saint Anne). On November 1, 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano became the areas first permanent European settlement in Alta California, New Spain. In 1810, the Spanish Empire granted {{convert|62500|acre|km2}} to Jose Antonio Yorba, which he named Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. Yorba's rancho included the lands where the cities of Olive, Orange, Villa Park, Santa Ana, Tustin, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach stand today.

After the Mexican-American War in 1848, Alta California became part of the United States in 1850 and American settlers arrived in this area.

Villa Park was known as "Mountain View" in the 1860s.[http://villapark.org/About-Us/History#:~:text=Villa%20Park%20was%20not%20incorporated,Mountain%20View%20in%20northern%20California. City of Villa Park, California - The Hidden Jewel > About Us > History] The U.S. Post Office refused to allow the local post office to be so named as there was already a post office with that name in Santa Clara County, so the post office and hence the area came to be called Villa Park after a town in Illinois. It was then an agricultural area producing, in turn, grapes, walnuts, and apricots. Finally, citrus became the major crop for about 60 years.

Ranchers established the Serrano Water District in 1876, which still provides Villa Park's water, and founded the Villa Park Orchards Association (still a business in Orange, although the packing house that was a local landmark was torn down in 1983). Today, Serrano Water District imports water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and stores it in the Santiago Reservoir. In addition, groundwater is pumped from an aquifer managed by Orange County Water District.[https://www.serranowater.org/files/878f45435/2024-Serrano-WQ-REPORT2.pdf Serrano 2024 WQR]

In 2005, the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) shrunk Villa Park's sphere of influence to zero due to its being landlocked by the city of Orange. Shortly after, LAFCO restored Villa Park's sphere of influence after an outcry from local community leaders.{{cite web |last1=Taxin |first1=Amy |title=Villa Park will keep sphere of influence |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2005/10/08/villa-park-will-keep-sphere-of-influence/ |website=Orange County Register |access-date=12 July 2024 |date=8 October 2005}}{{cite web |last1=Pasco |first1=Jean O. |title=Villa Park: To Be or Not to Be? |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-aug-22-me-villapark22-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=12 July 2024 |date=22 August 2005}}

Villa Park is located at {{Coord|33|48|58|N|117|48|40|W|type:city}} (33.816183, −117.811106).{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}} According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|2.1|sqmi|km2}}, all land.

There are no public parks within city limits; many homes have pools and/or tennis courts. Unlike more urban areas of Orange County west of the city, Villa Park has winding streets with few sidewalks and limited street lights. Throughout are trees and flower beds in planted medians and parkways. Surrounded by the city of Orange, Villa Park has the appearance of an enclave{{clarify|date=April 2025}} due to the city's{{which|date=April 2025}} early unwillingness to annex lands beyond Santiago Creek and those east of a power line easement between the city and Anaheim Hills.

The most common native species: Hairy Sand Verbena, Red Sand Verbena, and Chaparral Sand Verbena.{{Cite web |last=Calscape |title=Calscape {{!}} California's Native Plant Gardening Destination |url=https://calscape.org/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=calscape.org |language=en}}{{climate chart|Villa Park|59|79|0.82|59|78|1.49|58|70|0.72|59|87|0.94|61|71|0.0.06|70|87|0.00|70|84|0.00|70|90|0.00|76|105|0.00|69.5|83|0.00|58|80|0.00|55|80|0.00|float=right|source=Weather Underground [https://www.wunderground.com/]|clear=right|units=imperial}}

{{US Census population

|1970= 2723

|1980= 7137

|1990= 6299

|2000= 5999

|2010= 5812

|estyear=

|estimate=

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=United States Census Bureau|access-date=}}
1860–1870{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1880-1890{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}
1900{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1910{{Cite web|title= 1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1920{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}
1930{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1940{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1950{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}
1960{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1970{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 1980{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}
1990{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}

2000{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}} 2010{{Cite web|title= 2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau}}
2020

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Villa Park was first listed as a city in the 1970 U.S. Census. Prior to that, the area was part of unincorporated Orange Township.

The 2010 United States Census{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0682744|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715033733/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0682744|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Villa Park city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}} reported that Villa Park had a population of 5,812. The population density was {{convert|2,796.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Villa Park was 4,550 (78.3%) White (71.9% Non-Hispanic White),{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0682744.html|title=Villa Park (City) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau|access-date=March 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328235613/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0682744.html|archive-date=March 28, 2015|url-status=dead}} 42 (0.7%) African American, 34 (0.6%) Native American, 854 (14.7%) Asian, 1 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 162 (2.8%) from other races, and 169 (2.9%) from two or more races. There were 598 people of Hispanic or Latino origin (10.3%).

The census reported that 5,767 people (99.2% of the population) lived in households, 40 (0.7%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 5 (0.1%) were institutionalized.

There were 1,976 households, out of which 625 (31.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,525 (77.2%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 123 (6.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 80 (4.0%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 36 (1.8%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 8 (0.4%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 208 households (10.5%) were made up of individuals, and 144 (7.3%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92. There were 1,728 families (87.4% of all households); the average family size was 3.11.

There were 1,164 people (20.0%) under the age of 18, 458 people (7.9%) aged 18 to 24, 845 people (14.5%) aged 25 to 44, 1,934 people (33.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,411 people (24.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

There were 2,016 housing units at an average density of {{convert|970.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 1,886 (95.4%) were owner-occupied, and 90 (4.6%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.2%. 5,486 people (94.4% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 281 people (4.8%) lived in rental housing units.

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 5,999 people, 1,950 households, and 1,764 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,844.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,008 housing units at an average density of {{convert|952.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 82.40% White, 0.80% African American, 0.43% Native American, 12.92% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races, and 2.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 5.90% of the population.

There were 1,950 households, out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 82.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.5% were non-families. 7.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the city, 24.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 32.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $116,203, and the median income for a family was $124,852. Males had a median income of $78,563 versus $46,667 for females.

File:City Hall, Civic Center, Villa Park, California.jpg

The city is governed by five council members each elected for four-year terms. The current (2025) representatives on the City Council include Mayor Nicol Jones, Mayor Pro-Tem Jordan Wu and Councilmembers Robert Frackelton, Kelly McBride and Crystal Miles.

66.0% of the city's 4,533 registered voters declared their affiliation with the Republican party. 17.3% are registered Democrats, and 14.3% were unaffiliated voters.{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/15day-stwdsp-09/politicalsub.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=December 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701000534/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/15day-stwdsp-09/politicalsub.pdf |archive-date=July 1, 2014 }}

In the United States House of Representatives, Villa Park is in {{Representative|cacd|40|fmt=district}}.{{Cite GovTrack|CA|40}}

In the California State Legislature, Villa Park is in {{Representative|casd|37|fmt=sdistrict}}, and in {{Representative|caad|59|fmt=adistrict}}.{{cite web

| url = https://statewidedatabase.org/gis/districtscomp.html

| title = Statewide Database

| publisher = UC Regents

| access-date = January 4, 2023

}}

On the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Villa Park is in the 3rd District, represented by Donald P. Wagner.

Villa Park is one of the most consistently Republican cities in Orange County and in California as a whole. Every GOP candidate for president since the city's incorporation in 1962 has received at least 60% of the vote in the city. From 1968 to 1988, the city gave the Republican candidate over 80% of the vote in each election. Villa Park is also largely Republican in California's gubernatorial elections. In 1978, even as Orange County supported Jerry Brown in his re-election bid, Villa Park gave his opponent Evelle Younger, 57% of the vote.{{cite web|author=Unknown |url=https://archive.org/details/statementofvote197879cali/page/62 |title=Statement of vote : California. Secretary of State : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive |year=1968 |access-date=June 1, 2020}}

NOTE: The totals listed for the 2003 governor's special election are the aggregate totals for all Republican candidates, all Democratic candidates, and all Independent candidates. Individually, Arnold Schwarzenegger received 2,391 votes, Cruz Bustamante received 234 votes, and Tom McClintock received 384 votes.

NOTE: In the 2016 and 2018 senate elections in California, both candidates on the ballot were Democrats. The bolded totals listed were those of the candidates that won Villa Park Kamala Harris in 2016, and Dianne Feinstein in 2018. The runners-up in Villa Park were shaded in blue as well, but wound up in the Republican column of this table.

The Uniform Crime Report (UCR), collected annually by the FBI, compiles police statistics from local and state law enforcement agencies across the nation. The UCR records Part I and Part II crimes. Part I crimes become known to law enforcement and are considered the most serious crimes including homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Part II crimes only include arrest data.{{Cite web |title=Offense Definitions |url=https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/offense-definitions |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=FBI |language=en-us}} The 2023 UCR Data for Villa Park is listed below:

• Smith and Clark Brothers Ranch Grounds{{Cite web |title=National Register of Historic Places |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/SearchResults/e5277350-5102-445a-bccd-2337851299f8?page=1&view=grid&sort=default |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=National Park Service}}
• Villa Park School

File:Villa Park School.jpg

There are four public schools with the city that are operated by the Orange Unified School District (the city's largest employer).

• Serrano Elementary School
• Villa Park Elementary
• Cerro Villa Middle School
• Villa Park High School

Orange County Transportation Authority operates bus transportation in Villa Park.{{Cite web |title=2024 Villa Park Fact Sheet |url=https://octa.net/pdf/fact-sheet/Villa-Park-Fact-Sheet.pdf |access-date=May 20, 2025 |website=www.octa.net}}

• Bert Blyleven, Major League Baseball player
• Aaron Boone, Major League Baseball player and current manager of the New York Yankees
• Rosalind Chao, actress
• Aaron Corp, University of Richmond football quarterback
• Kevin Costner, actor, graduated from Villa Park High School in 1973
• Leigh Donovan, professional mountain bike racer, graduated from Villa Park High School in 1990
• Jose Feliciano, singer, entertainer
• Freddie Freeman, Major League Baseball player
• Susan McCaw, former United States ambassador to Austria
• Pat McInally, former National Football League player
• Josh Samuels (born 1991), Olympic water polo player
• L.J. Smith, author, The Vampire Diaries
• James Sofronas, racing driver and entrepreneur
• Mark Trumbo, Major League Baseball player, graduated from Villa Park High School in 2005
• Del Worsham, professional drag racer

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Cities of Orange County, California}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1962 establishments in California

Category:Cities in Orange County, California

Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California

Category:Populated places on the Santa Ana River