Entrance to Portola Hills

Portola Hills was a census-designated place in Orange County, California, United States. The population was 6,391 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated into the city of Lake Forest, California as of the year 2000.

History

The tracts were developed in the early 1990s. The development was named after Gaspar de Portola, California's first terrestrial Spanish explorer, who passed through the vicinity in 1769. (Nearby Trabuco Canyon is named for a blunderbuss which was lost by expedition members.)

Geography

Portola Hills is located at 33°41′1″N, 117°37′58″W (33.683672, -117.632872)^[1].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²), all land.

Due to its checkered history, mail addressed to residents of Portola Hills (ZIP code 92679) may be labeled as Portola Hills, Trabuco Canyon, or Lake Forest.

Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 6,391 people, 2,164 households, and 1,729 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,958.4/km² (5,063.6/mi²). There were 2,181 housing units at an average density of 668.3/km² (1,728.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.60% White, 1.63% African American, 0.30% Native American, 6.76% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 2.64% from other races, and 3.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.03% of the population.

There were 2,164 households out of which 52.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.4% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.1% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 41.4% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 2.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $90,874, and the median income for a family was $96,076. Males had a median income of $63,672 versus $39,966 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $34,057. About 0.7% of families and 0.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

In the state legislature Portola Hills is located in the 33rd Senate District, represented by Republican Dick Ackerman, and in the 70th Assembly District, represented by Republican Chuck DeVore. Federally, Portola Hills is located in California's 48th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +8^[3] and is represented by Republican John Campbell.

Culture and recreation

Portola Hills boasts two separate club houses. Portola II is located in the heart of Portola Hills, while Portola I is on the far north side. Both club houses are equipped with pools, gyms, tennis courts, and volleyball courts. Portola I has 4 basketball courts and a playground.

Portola Hills also home to Concourse Park, located adjacent to Portola Hills I.

Children living in the area attend Portola Hills Elementary. In its infancy, Portola Hills Elementary was a state-of-the-art facility. It was later discovered that the foundation of the school was built on a landfill. Consequently, sections of the school had to be repaired and re-enforced. Currently Portola Hills Elementary has over 550 students, ranging from grades K-6th grade.

External links

1. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
2. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
3. ^ Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?. Campaign Legal Center Blog. Retrieved on 2008-02-10.

• Whiting Ranch Wilderness is a wildlands located adjacent to Portola Hills
• Cleveland National Forest
• St. Michael's Abbey is a Norbertine monastery located adjacent to the community. It is incorrectly listed as being part of Silverado, California.
• Ramakrishna Monastery is a Vedanta Society monastery located near the development.
• Pax Nortona is a weblog by a resident of Portola Hills
• Portola Hills Community Directory Portola Hills Community Directory by Kanoa Watt

• Portola Hills is at coordinates 33°41′01″N 117°37′58″W / 33.683672, -117.632872 (Portola Hills)Coordinates: 33°41′01″N 117°37′58″W / 33.683672, -117.632872 (Portola Hills)

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