# Yorba Linda, California

Yorba Linda is a suburban city in northeastern Orange County, California, United States, approximately 37 miles (60 km) southeast of Downtown Los Angeles. It is part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, and had a population of 68,336 at the 2020 census.
Yorba Linda is known for its connection to Richard Nixon, the 37th president of the United States. His birthplace is a National Historic Landmark, and his presidential library and museum are also located in the city.

## History
### Etymology

The name Yorba Linda is made up of two parts: Yorba, after Don Bernardo Yorba, a Californio ranchero who historically owned the area, and linda, Spanish for beautiful. The name was created in 1908 by the Janss Investment Company.

### Indigenous

The area is the home of the Tongva, Luiseño, and Juaneño tribal nations, who were there "as early as 4,000 years ago." The Tongva defined their world as Tovaangar, a nation which "extended from Palos Verdes to San Bernardino, from Saddleback Mountain to the San Fernando Valley" and included the entire territory of present-day Yorba Linda. Spanish colonization between 1769 and 1840 brought "disease, invasive species, and livestock" into the area, which "upended the ecological balance of the region and forced the Tongva to resettle around three missions." The village of Hutuknga was located in the area of Yorba Linda.

### Early years

In 1810, the Spanish crown granted José Antonio Yorba 63,414 acres of land, which "spread across much of modern-day Orange County." In 1834, following Mexico's independence from Spain, Yorba's most successful son, Bernardo Yorba (after whom the city would later be named), was granted the 13,328-acre (53.94 km$^2$) Rancho Cañón de Santa Ana by Mexican governor José Figueroa. Most of this original land was retained after the Mexican–American War in 1848 by descendants of the Yorba family. A portion of the city's land is still owned and developed by descendants of Samuel Kraemer, who acquired it through his marriage to Angelina Yorba, the great-granddaughter of Bernardo Yorba. The site of the Bernardo Yorba Hacienda, referred to as the Don Bernardo Yorba Ranch House Site, is listed as a California Historical Landmark.
Near that same site sits the second oldest private cemetery in the county, the historic Yorba Cemetery. The land was given to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles by Bernardo Yorba in 1858 since Orange County was not established out of Los Angeles County as a separate county until 1889. The cemetery closed in 1939 and was subsequently vandalized; however, in the 1960s, the Orange County Board of Supervisors took possession of the property to repair the damage, and tours are now available one day per month.

### Agricultural era

A section of the land was sold in 1907 by the Yorba family to Fullerton businessman Jacob Stern, who used the land for barley fields and sheep grazing. Stern subsequently sold the tract to the Janss Investment Company, which first called the area Yorba Linda, and proceeded to subdivide the land and sell it for agriculture and manufacturing. In 1910, the agricultural aspect of that endeavor materialized, and the first of many lemon and orange groves were planted: at the time, the population was still less than 50. A year later, The Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company began serving Yorba Linda, and the first school was constructed.
In 1912, several things happened in Yorba Linda: it received its first post office; the Yorba Linda Citrus Association was founded; the Southern California Edison Company began providing electricity; and the first church was constructed. The area that would later become downtown was also connected to Los Angeles by the Pacific Electric Railway in 1912, primarily for citrus transport.
In 1913, Richard Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, the chamber of commerce was set up, a library opened as part of the school, and avocado trees were first planted. A year later, a separate district was established for the library system.
In 1915, the Susanna Bixby Bryant Ranch house was constructed. It is a museum that is open to the public.
In 1917, the first street was paved, Yorba Linda Boulevard. The Yorba Linda Star began publication also. It has since become an online section of the OC Register. A printed version of the Star is available at various city buildings free of charge and is delivered to every household in Yorba Linda each Thursday. Past articles are on microfilm at the Yorba Linda Public Library.
The population exceeded 300 for the first time prior to 1920. In 1929, the citrus association's packing house burned down, as it was made of wood. It reopened the next year. During this period, the eastern two-thirds of Yorba Linda (east of the Yorba Linda Country Club) remained part of cattle and agricultural ranches controlled by pioneer families such as the Yorba, de los Reyes, Kraemer, Travis, Dominguez, Friend, and Bryant ranches.
From 1943 to 1958, "approximately seventy thousand braceros were transported to Orange County," used by employers to service citrus crops. Braceros lived in temporary housing projects referred to as "camps," which were policed by local deputies throughout the county. The townspeople of Yorba Linda "refused to allow the housing of braceros in their city, forcing the nearby town of Placentia to board them within the segregated Mexican colonia."

### Population growth

The small town had grown significantly by the 1960s, with more than 1,000 residents by the 1960 census. Three annexation attempts were made by adjoining cities: Brea in 1958 and Anaheim and Placentia in 1963. These experiences culminated in incorporation, which occurred in 1967.
The new city implemented a municipal general plan in 1972. By the 1980 census, the population was nearing 30,000. Within ten years it exceeded 50,000.
In 1990, the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum opened as a privately owned, public museum and research library with ceremonies that included a joint appearance by Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. The campus included the Birthplace of Richard Nixon. The facility would later join the presidential library system. In 1994, the community center opened.
With over 20,000 housing units in the city as of 2016, many residents now oppose further urban development and have organized to reduce traffic congestion. The Yorba Linda Preservation Foundation seeks to protect historical buildings in the city.

### Post 2008

In November 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.
On February 3, 2019, at approximately 1:45 pm, a twin engine 1981 Cessna (N414RS) on route from Fullerton Municipal Airport to Nevada crashed from roughly 7,500 ft into a single family residence in the 19700 block of Crestknoll Drive near Glenknoll Elementary School. The pilot (75-year-old Antonio Pastini) and four individuals in the residence were killed.
In October of the heightened 2020 California wildfires, fires destroyed one home and damaged ten others in the Yorba Linda area. Initially a brush fire, the Blue Ridge Fire quickly spread to 13,964 acres before being doused on November 11, 2020.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.0 square miles (52 km$^2$). 19.5 square miles (51 km$^2$) of which is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km$^2$) (2.67%), water.
It has two ZIP codes, 92886 and 92887, covering approximately the western and eastern portions of the city, respectively. A third, 92885, exists exclusively for PO Boxes. The city is served by area codes 657 and 714 in a geographical overlay situation, in which 714 numbers were running out, so that 657 numbers are now also being issued in the same area. Eleven-digit dialing is therefore now required for local calls.
It is bordered by Anaheim on the south, Placentia on the west and southwest, Brea on the northwest, Chino Hills State Park on the north, and Corona on the east.
The two nearest seismic faults are the Whittier Fault and the Chino Fault, both of which are part of the Elsinore Fault Zone.

### Climate

The city receives 14 inches (360 mm) to 15 inches (380 mm) of rain per year on average. The average temperatures in January and July are 55 °F (13 °C) and 71 °F (22 °C), respectively, with the overall average for the year at 63 °F (17 °C). Humidity, likewise respectively, is 52%, 60%, and 56% on average. Yorba Linda is in a Mediterranean climate (Csa).
Climate data for Yorba Linda, California :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 71 (22) | 71 (22) | 73 (23) | 76 (24) | 78 (26) | 81 (27) | 87 (31) | 89 (32) | 87 (31) | 82 (28) | 76 (24) | 70 (21) | 78 (26) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 48 (9) | 48 (9) | 51 (11) | 53 (12) | 57 (14) | 61 (16) | 65 (18) | 65 (18) | 63 (17) | 58 (14) | 52 (11) | 47 (8) | 56 (13) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.86 (73) | 3.18 (81) | 1.90 (48) | 0.80 (20) | 0.28 (7.1) | 0.10 (2.5) | 0.03 (0.76) | 0.01 (0.25) | 0.25 (6.4) | 0.72 (18) | 1.38 (35) | 2.02 (51) | 13.53 (343.01) |
| Source: ||||||||||||||

## Demographics

Yorba Linda first appeared as a city in the 1960 U.S. census. Prior to that, the area was part of unincorporated Orange Township.

### 2020

Yorba Linda city, California – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. :
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
| White alone (NH) | 44,071 | 42,183 | 36,022 | 74.80% | 65.67% | 52.71% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 638 | 789 | 786 | 1.08% | 1.23% | 1.15% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 139 | 120 | 100 | 0.24% | 0.19% | 0.15% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 6,502 | 9,957 | 15,570 | 11.04% | 15.50% | 22.78% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 50 | 78 | 63 | 0.08% | 0.12% | 0.09% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 138 | 152 | 374 | 0.23% | 0.24% | 0.55% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 1,336 | 1,735 | 3,152 | 2.27% | 2.70% | 4.61% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6,044 | 9,220 | 12,269 | 10.26% | 14.35% | 17.95% |
| Total | 58,918 | 64,234 | 68,336 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |

### 2010

The 2010 United States census reported that Yorba Linda had a population of 65,237.
The population density was 3,208.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,238.9/km$^2$).
The racial makeup of Yorba Linda was:
* 48,246 (75.1%) White (65.7% Non-Hispanic White, 9.4% White Hispanic)
* 10,030 (15.6%) Asian
* 9,220 (14.4%) Hispanic or Latino of any race
* 835 (1.3%) African American
* 230 (0.4%) Native American
* 85 (0.1%) Pacific Islander
* 2,256 (3.5%) from other races
* 2,552 (4.0%) from two or more races.
The Census reported that 64,044 people (99.7% of the population) lived in households, 97 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 93 (0.1%) were institutionalized.
There were 21,576 households, out of which 8,535 (39.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 15,102 (70.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,844 (8.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 758 (3.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 554 (2.6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 101 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 3,119 households (14.5%) were made up of individuals, and 1,515 (7.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97. There were 17,704 families (82.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.29.
There were 15,792 residents (24.6%) under the age of 18, 5,574 (8.7%) aged 18 to 24, 13,848 (21.6%) aged 25 to 44, 21,414 (33.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 7,606 (11.8%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
There were 22,305 housing units at an average density of 1,114.2 per square mile (430.2/km$^2$), of which 18,108 (83.9%) were owner-occupied, and 3,468 (16.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.0%. 54,464 people (84.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 9,580 people (14.9%) lived in rental housing units.
During 2009–2013, Yorba Linda had a median household income of $112,259, with 3.1% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

### 2000

As of the 2000 census, there were 58,918 people, 19,252 households, and 16,094 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,042.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,174.6/km$^2$). There were 19,567 housing units at an average density of 1,010.4 per square mile (390.1/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 81.5% White, 1.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 11.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 10.3% of the population.
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, 29.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.3% was from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% was 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 household income 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. 0% of the population were below the poverty line.

## Economy

The primary commercial district in Yorba Linda is Savi Ranch.
Smaller shopping centers in the city include:
* Eastlake Village Shopping Center
* Mercado del Rio
* Packing House Square
* Yorba Linda Station Plaza
* Country Club Village
In 2016, construction began on the Yorba Linda Town Center, a 125,000-square-foot shopping and dining center on the corner of Yorba Linda Boulevard and Imperial Highway, featuring Bristol Farms as an anchor tenant. The shopping center opened in April 2019.
There are over 1,000 businesses in the city, not including an additional 1,500 home-based businesses. The city also owns Black Gold Golf Club. Non-profit charities based in Yorba Linda include International Student Volunteers and STEMpowerment Inc.

### Savi Ranch

Savi Ranch is an acronym of Santa Ana Valley Irrigation, an early water company. Savi Ranch today contains retailers, auto dealers, restaurants, hotels, and office buildings.
Originally, the city pursued construction of an auto mall on the entire Savi Ranch site. The original plan was rejected by residents in favor of a combination of retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and office buildings
As a significant source of sales tax revenue to Yorba Linda and as one of the first anchor tenants (along with Best Buy), The Home Depot became a political talking point in its own right, due to the geography that divides Savi Ranch into two sections, the larger east side falling within Yorba Linda's city limits, and the west side where Home Depot is situated falling within the adjacent city of Anaheim boundaries.
Also located in the Yorba Linda side of Savi Ranch is the headquarters of John Force Racing, housing operations & hosting displays of legendary 16-time NHRA Funny Car Champion John Force, his team of drivers, and their cars.

### Top employers

According to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of employees |
| 1 | Nobel Biocare | 335 |
| 2 | Costco | 308 |
| 3 | Brookdale Yorba Linda | 244 |
| 4 | Vyaire Medical Payroll | 230 |
| 5 | Office Solutions Business | 167 |
| 6 | White House Catering Inc | 135 |
| 7 | Euroline Steel Windows | 127 |
| 8 | Coldwell Banker | 118 |
| 9 | Jondo Ltd | 115 |
| 10 | Robert Moreno Insurance Services | 115 |
| 11 | Tokyo Central | 103 |
| 12 | Vons | 102 |

## Arts and culture

The Library Commission, founded in 1913, operates the Yorba Linda Library. A new library was opened in 1960. The library has several special collections, including a seed saving collection.
A Cultural Arts Center opened in 2020.
The Yorba Linda Spotlight Theater Company is a nonprofit theater organization for youth.

## Parks and recreation

Yorba Linda has a history of equestrianism with 30 horse trails totaling over 100 miles. As of August 2013, there are plans to construct public stables.

## Government

Yorba Linda was, at one point in time, California's most conservative large community, as measured by the proportion of conservative to liberal voters. Although Democrats have been making inroads in Orange County as a whole, as well as the city itself, Yorba Linda is still one of the most consistently Republican cities in the county and state as a whole. Every GOP candidate for president since the city's incorporation in 1967 has received over 52% of the vote in the city.
As of February 2020, the California Secretary of State reported that Yorba Linda had 43,989 registered voters; of those, 10,413 (23.67%) are registered Democrats, 22,025 (50.07%) are registered Republicans, and 9,604 (21.83%) have stated no political party preference. The city voted for California Proposition 8 by 65.8% and for Proposition 4 by 59.3%, displaying a socially conservative bent. Yorba Linda was one of just three Californian cities to pass a measure in their city council proclaiming its support for the Arizona immigration law, SB1070.
Yorba Linda city vote by party in presidential elections :
| Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
| 2020 | 40.33% 17,191 | 57.82% 24,646 | 1.84% 786 |
| 2016 | 35.02% 12,232 | 59.01% 20,611 | 5.96% 2,083 |
| 2012 | 29.67% 10,350 | 68.12% 23,762 | 2.21% 770 |
| 2008 | 33.71% 11,710 | 64.28% 22,328 | 2.00% 696 |
| 2004 | 26.88% 8,617 | 72.25% 23,164 | 0.87% 279 |
| 2000 | 28.95% 8,127 | 67.93% 19,068 | 3.11% 874 |
| 1996 | 28.51% 7,076 | 62.95% 15,623 | 8.54% 2,121 |
| 1992 | 22.99% 6,179 | 52.77% 14,185 | 24.25% 6,518 |
| 1988 | 21.21% 4,612 | 77.90% 16,396 | 0.89% 193 |
| 1984 | 16.68% 2,537 | 82.63% 12,566 | 0.68% 104 |
| 1980 | 17.06% 2,073 | 74.23% 9,020 | 8.71% 1,059 |
| 1976 | 29.76% 2,894 | 68.63% 6,674 | 1.61% 157 |
| 1972 | 18.62% 1,490 | 76.56% 6,127 | 4.82% 386 |
| 1968 | 19.10% 787 | 75.85% 3,125 | 5.05% 208 |

### Municipal government

The city council consists of five members that are elected by residents to four-year terms, with a three-term limit. The council elects its own mayor at the end of every year, whose duties are largely ceremonial because the city employs a council-manager form of government and the city manager runs day-to-day operations.
As of 2023, the mayor is Gene Hernandez.
Yorba Linda has four commissions, which meet monthly or bimonthly, to advise the city council about their respective projects: planning, traffic, parks and recreation, and library.

### State and federal representation

In the California State Legislature, Yorba Linda is in the 32nd Senate District, represented by Republican Kelly Seyarto, and in the 59th Assembly District, represented by Republican Phillip Chen.
In the United States House of Representatives, Yorba Linda is in California's 40th congressional district, represented by Republican Young Kim.

## Education
### Public schools

Yorba Linda is part of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, and Orange Unified School District.
Yorba Linda High School opened in 2009.

### Private and Catholic schools

* St. Francis of Assisi School is a Catholic school.
* Heritage Oak Private School.
* Friends Christian High School, a private high school.

## Infrastructure
### Transportation

Highways include:
* Imperial Highway (SR 90)
* SR 241
* SR 91
A Metrolink commuter rail station was rejected by the city council in 2004.

### Law enforcement

From 1971 to 2013, police services were provided by the Brea Police Department, the first time a municipality, rather than a county sheriff's department, provided police services to another municipality in California. Law enforcement was then contracted to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

### Fire services

Fire services are provided by the Orange County Fire Authority.

### Utilities

Water services are provided by the Yorba Linda Water District, and by Golden State Water.
Natural gas is provided by Southern California Gas Company, and electricity is provided by Southern California Edison.

## Notable people

* Tyler Armstrong – mountain climber, youngest person to climb Mount Aconcagua
* Sabrina Bryan – singer, actress (The Cheetah Girls)
* Nathan Choate – college baseball coach
* Michael D. Duvall – former Yorba Linda mayor, California State Assemblyman
* Danielle Fishel – actress (Boy Meets World)
* John Force – drag racer, owner of John Force Racing, reality TV star of Driving Force and 16 time NHRA Funny Car Champion
* Brittany Force – drag racer, 2017 NHRA Top Fuel Champion
* Courtney Force – drag racer
* Ashley Force Hood – drag racer
* Ian Fowles – musician and guitarist for the California-based rock band The Aquabats
* Eric Friedman, also known as "Erock" – touring guitarist for Creed, former guitarist for Submersed, disc golfer
* Joe Hawley – player in National Football League, back-up center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
* Robert Hight – drag racer, NHRA Funny Car Champion
* Matthew Hoppe – soccer player on loan at Hibernian F.C. in the Scottish Premiership and the United States national team
* Cole Irvin – Major League Baseball player for the Oakland Athletics
* Mitzi Kapture – soap actress
* Dan Kennedy – Major League Soccer player (Chivas USA)
* Bobby Knoop – Major League Baseball player
* Steven Lenhart – Major League Soccer player (San Jose Earthquakes)
* Wade Meckler (born 2000) - baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants
* Alli Mauzey – Broadway actress (Wicked, Hairspray, Cry-Baby)
* David McNab – senior vice president of hockey operations of the Anaheim Ducks.
* Dylan Moore – Major League Baseball player for the Seattle Mariners
* Marcus Mumford – musician (Mumford and Sons)
* Richard Nixon – 37th President of the United States. Richard Nixon was born in Yorba Linda in 1913 and lived there until 1922. His reconstructed home is listed as a National Historic Landmark and a California Historical Landmark. Adjacent to this home is the Richard Nixon Library and Museum.
* Audrina Patridge – reality TV actress (The Hills)
* Chris Pontius – Major League Soccer player (D.C. United)
* Bob "Buck" Rodgers – Major League baseball player and manager (Angels)
* Beneil Dariush – UFC Fighter
* Sergio Santos – Major League Baseball (Toronto Blue Jays)
* Ricky Wells – speedway rider, 2009 US National Champion
* Jessamyn West – second cousin to Richard Nixon on her mother's side of the family, authored 1945 novel The Friendly Persuasion; a city park is named in her honor, Jessamyn West Park on Yorba Linda Boulevard

## Sister cities

* Jorba, Catalonia, Spain
* Huai'an, Jiangsu, China