Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,727 people, 11,511 households, and 5,778 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,035.1 /km² (3,000 /sq mi). There were 12,965 housing units at an average density of 565.6 /km² (1,000 /sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 91.99% White, 0.80% African American, 0.36% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 2.21% from other races, and 2.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.62% of the population. There were 11,511 households out of which 18.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.8% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.69.

In the city the population was spread out with 15.8% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 33.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 103.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $75,808, and the median income for a family was $100,778. Males had a median income of $66,221 versus $46,138 for females. The per capita income for the city was $58,732. About 2.8% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Of the 17,084 registered voters in Laguna Beach, 41.2% are Republicans and 35.8% are Democrats. The remaining 23% either declined to state political affiliation or are registered with a smaller political party.

Although registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats in Laguna Beach, the city often supports candidates that are politically left of center. The city voted for Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry over President George W. Bush in 2004 by a wide margin of 57%-42%. It was one of only three cities in Orange County to not support Bush's re-election bid, along with Laguna Woods and Santa Ana.

The entire city of Laguna Beach lies within California's 48th congressional district, which is represented by Republican Congressman John Campbell. The city also lies in the 35th State Senate District, which is represented by Republican Senator Tom Harman, and in the 70th State Assembly District, which is represented by Republican Assemblyman Chuck DeVore.

Toni Iseman serves as Laguna Beach's mayor and Jane Egly as Mayor Pro Tem. The other three city council members are Kelly Boyd, Cheryl Kinsman, and Elizabeth Schneider.

Environment

Laguna Beach has long embraced the environmentalist movement. In February 2007, its city council unanimously voted to join the U.S. Mayors Climate Initiative.

History

Laguna Beach was the point of origin and home base for the Brotherhood of Eternal Love (The Laguna Brotherhood) in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Timothy Leary lived with the Brotherhood, until his arrest for possession of marijuana (in Laguna Beach) on Dec 26, 1968. [- WA, Aug 2008]

Education

• Elementary Schools
  • Top of the World Elementary
  • El Morro Elementary
• High Schools
  • Laguna Beach High School
• Colleges and Universities
  • Laguna College of Art and Design
  • Soka University of America(nearby)
  • University of California - Irvine(nearby)

Media

In 2004, MTV created a reality television show titled Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, which has aired on MTV for 3 seasons. The show follows the lives of several young Laguna Beach residents as they finish high school and begin the next chapter of their lives. It had a very successful first two seasons and became the second highest rated MTV show. It made regular teenagers Stephen Colletti, Kristin Cavallari, and Lauren Conrad into celebrities. The show was famous for basic high school pranks and living the good life. However, in its third season, the cast from the first two seasons were replaced. Because of negative audience reactions to the new cast, the ratings significantly fell during the show's third season. After the third season flopped, the location of the show changed from Laguna Beach High School to Newport Harbor, a city near Laguna Beach. The show held an entirely new cast and its ratings were higher than the third season of Laguna Beach but not nearly as high as season 1 or 2 of Laguna Beach. Many locals of Laguna Beach have criticized the show as many agree that it wrongfully depicts the citizens of the town.

Infrastructure

Fire protection in Laguna Beach is provided by the Laguna Beach Fire Department with ambulance service by Doctor's Ambulance. Law enforcement is provided by the Laguna Beach Police Department. Marine safety services are provided jointly by Laguna Beach City Lifeguards.