PolicyLink and PERE
22
An Equity Profile of Orange County
43,803
-95,523
-144,306
434,044
531,256
430,228
1980 to 1990 1990 to 2000 2000 to 2016
78%
64%
51%
42%
1%
2%
1%
2%
15%
23%
31%
34%
4%
10%
14%
19%
2%
3%
1980 1990 2000 2016
-334,753
1,720,414
19
80
to 199
0
White
People
of Color
53%
41%
31%
12%
11%
9%
28%
38%
45%
6%
10%
12%
3%
Mixed/other
Native American
Asian o r Pacific Islander
Latino
Black
White
A growing and diversifying population
Orange County has experienced significant
population growth since 1980, growing from
1.9 million to 3.1 million residents.
Since 1980, the diversity of Orange County
has dramatically increased. People of color
made up only 22 percent of the population in
that year, as compared to 58 percent in 2016.
White population growth slowed and then
decreased from 1990 to 2016, while people
of color have contributed to the region's
growth during the same period.
The population has become more diverse
Demographics
5. Racial/Ethnic Composition, 1980 to 2016
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Note: Data for 2016 represent a 2012 through 2016 average.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Note: Data for 2016 represent a 2012 through 2016 average.
People of color have driven the region's growth since 1980
6. Composition of Net Population Growth by Decade,
1980 to 2016
