Demographics Orange County has more than 2.6 million people, in less than 800 square miles. Each of these cities has more than 100,000 residents. The services sector accounts for 30 percent of the region's economic base. Tourism contributes strongly to this sector with Disneyland at Anaheim and Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Vista forming a strong entertainment nucleus. Worldwide companies with home offices in this popular residential area also add significantly to the services sector.
High technology leads the manufacturing sector and is rallying to offset defense-related job losses.
Total employment numbered 1.2 million in 1995 and labor force skills are wide ranging. Real Estate and Housing Home prices in Orange County cover a wide range. Areas of Opportunity University of California, Irvine is the site for a high-tech research center known as CHIP, aimed at improving U.S. competitiveness in basic technology. Orange County is a forerunner in the fast-growing biotechnology and biomedical industries. This ideal Pacific Rim location is in close proximity to Los Angeles and Long Beach, two of the nation's major ports where exports are growing.