Buena Park is a city located in northwestern Orange County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 78,282. The city is located adjacent to the City of Anaheim and is located 12 miles (20km) northwest of Downtown Santa Ana. It was founded by James A. Whitaker, a wholesale grocer from Chicago, Illinois in 1887 and incorporated in 1953. An agricultural center at its founding, particularly dairy, wine, and citrus products, the city is now primarily a residential suburb. The Current OMB metropolitan designation for Buena Park and the Orange County Area is “Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA.” Buena Park is home to several tourist attractions, most notably Knott's Berry Farm (see Points of interest).

Geography

Buena Park is located at 33°51'22" North, 118°0'15" West (33.856214, -118.004169).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.6 km² (10.6 mi²). 27.4 km² (10.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.56% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 78,282 people, 23,332 households, and 18,735 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,859.5/km² (7,403.1/mi²). There are 23,826 housing units at an average density of 870.3/km² (2,253.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 52.99% White, 3.83% Black or African American, 0.96% Native American, 21.06% Asian, 0.51% Pacific Islander, 15.19% from other races, and 5.46% from two or more races. 33.50% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 23,332 households out of which 43.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% are married couples living together, 14.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 19.7% are non-families. 14.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.32 and the average family size is 3.64.

In the city the population is spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $50,336, and the median income for a family is $52,327. Males have a median income of $37,471 versus $30,287 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,031. 11.3% of the population and 8.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.8% of those under the age of 18 and 6.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Government and politics

Buena Park is a California general law city with a council-manager government system. Everyday management of city functions is directed by a professional city manager, who is overseen by an elected City Council of five non-partisan members elected at large and whose chair acts as mayor.

Points of Interest

Buena Park is home to many popular Southern California tourist attractions in the so-called E-Zone district: the venerable Knott's Berry Farm theme park, the Movieland wax museum, and the Medieval Times dinner show. It neighbors Anaheim, California, with Disneyland only a few exits south on Interstate 5.

External links

• Official Web Site
• Buena Park Police Department
• Location Orange County
• Orange County Business Council (Chamber of Commerce)
• Orange County ArtSource (Links to the Arts in Orange County)
• Orange County Transportation Authority