Christina Shea

Ariel Feir

Santa Ana

Santa Ana was incorporated as a city in 1886. A year later, the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad resulted in a land boom. In 1889, Orange County separated from Los Angeles County, and Santa Ana was made the county seat. In 1869, what’s now Santa Ana was an isolated mustard field. Founder William H. Spurgeon bought 74 acres from the Yorba estate and laid out a 24-block village.

Since then, the city has undergone a tremendous transformation -- it is the hub of county government, a center of civic and cultural life for Mexican immigrants, a significant new destination for artists looking for a place to live and work. Today, the city has about 337,977 residents living within 27.3 square miles – the state’s fourth most densely populated city. It is the county’s biggest city, and its school district has the county’s largest enrollment. Santa Ana, about 76 percent Hispanic, is home to a large Mexican immigrant population. The median age of residents is 26, making it the youngest city in the nation. The city is experiencing a revitalization, with a burgeoning Artists Village and a new federal building, named for former President Ronald Reagan. Santa Ana has also pursued major redevelopment projects, pointing to such successes as the MainPlace mall and the Fiesta Marketplace along historic Fourth Street.

Part of the city has been designated a federal Empowerment Zone, with the potential for millions of dollars for economic development and youth programs, while state Enterprise Zone status has helped businesses obtain tax credits and incentives to locate and grow in the city. In 2001, Santa Ana welcomed Mexican President Vicente Fox whod the first Mexico Trade Center in the United States. The center helps encourage trade between both countries.

Real estate activity in Santa Ana is one of the most diverse in Orange County. Many of the homes within old Santa Ana have been restored to their original architecture. There's something for everyone in Santa Ana!