Population 306,621 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Irvine: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Irvine
Household size in Irvine
| Period | Irvine | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.64 | 3.14 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.67 | 3.20 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.74 | 3.16 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.84 | 3.01 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.20 | −0.13 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Irvine average 2.84 people, above the national 2.65, so families with children are more common here. Still, the typical household here is smaller than in the wider Los Angeles area, where it has 3.01 people. Household size has climbed from 2.64 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Irvine
| Period | Irvine | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.2 | 35.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.7 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.9 | 38.0 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.3 | 39.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.0 | +4.0 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
Irvine is young: half of its residents are under 35.3, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. The youngest areas are in the southwest, the oldest in the center.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Irvine
| Period | Irvine | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.8% | 14.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 14.1% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 12.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.0% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Irvine than nationally: 9.0%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 2.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Irvine
Renters in Irvine
| Period | Irvine | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.2% | 48.8% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 50.3% | 50.8% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 52.8% | 51.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 56.1% | 51.6% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +9.8 pts | +2.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Irvine rent: 56.1% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Just over a third of owners (35.0%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 9.8 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Irvine
| Period | Irvine | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.3% | 7.0% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.2% | 6.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.4% | 6.6% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 6.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Irvine is the same as the national rate: 9.6% of homes are empty. The rate is higher than in the Los Angeles area overall (6.7%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 2.3 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Irvine
| Period | Irvine | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1992 | 1965 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1993 | 1966 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1995 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2001 | 1969 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Irvine has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2001, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1992 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the east, the oldest in the center. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 17 have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Irvine
| Period | Irvine | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,781 | $1,328 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,814 | $1,415 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,499 | $1,755 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,979 | $2,279 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,198 | +$951 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in Irvine runs $2,979 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $1,198 a month from 2006–10, a 67% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 32.6% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the north; the most affordable are in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Irvine
Bachelor's degrees in Irvine
| Period | Irvine | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 61.5% | 29.7% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 64.4% | 30.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 69.3% | 33.7% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 71.6% | 37.6% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.1 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Irvine is highly educated: about seven in ten adults 25 and older (71.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 10.1 points, as it has nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 47 have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Irvine
| Period | Irvine | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.0% | 76.7% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.2% | 77.7% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.5% | 80.0% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.9% | 82.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +5.4 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Irvine: 96.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 1.9 points, in line with the national trend. Irvine has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of California cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Irvine
| Period | Irvine | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.2% | 10.6% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.5% | 5.8% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 6.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.5%, unemployment in Irvine is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the Los Angeles area as a whole (6.7%). Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Irvine compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irvine | 2.84 | 35.3 | 9.0% | 56.1% | 9.6% | 2001 | $2,979 | 71.6% | 96.9% | 5.5% |
| Tustin | 2.96 | 38.0 | 11.7% | 50.8% | 4.5% | 1981 | $2,636 | 46.3% | 87.6% | 5.6% |
| North Tustin | 2.86 | 48.1 | 4.7% | 7.7% | 4.1% | 1969 | $2,792 | 64.8% | 94.5% | 4.3% |
| Newport Coast | 2.91 | 47.7 | 6.1% | 32.0% | 15.3% | 1999 | $3,486 | 75.9% | 99.3% | 3.5% |
| Laguna Woods | 1.51 | 74.1 | 2.7% | 27.9% | 13.9% | 1971 | $2,385 | 51.8% | 95.9% | 5.8% |
| Lake Forest | 2.88 | 41.1 | 6.5% | 31.5% | 5.8% | 1983 | $2,880 | 46.9% | 93.0% | 4.8% |
| Foothill Ranch | 3.09 | 39.2 | 8.6% | 26.5% | 5.6% | 2006 | $3,058 | 69.1% | 97.9% | 4.3% |
| Santa Ana | 4.01 | 35.2 | 15.6% | 55.1% | 4.3% | 1967 | $2,154 | 17.4% | 66.4% | 4.8% |
| Top-of-the-World | 2.98 | 43.2 | 8.3% | 8.0% | 1.2% | 1997 | $2,950 | 75.6% | 98.2% | 2.1% |
| Corona Del Mar | 2.15 | 53.6 | 8.0% | 38.2% | 19.0% | 1975 | $3,234 | 71.4% | 98.5% | 3.8% |
| Newport Beach | 2.25 | 46.5 | 5.8% | 52.5% | 13.1% | 1975 | $3,161 | 69.1% | 97.8% | 4.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Southfield, MI · Spring, TX · Spring Hill, FL · St. Cloud, MN · Spartanburg, SC · Sparks, NV · Spokane Valley, WA · Spokane, WA · St. Charles, MO · Springdale, AR
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Irvine. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.