Irvine

City overview

A community where people can live, work, and play in an environment that is safe, vibrant, and beautiful.

Irvine is one of the world’s largest and premier master-planned communities, encompassing 66 square miles in the heart of Orange County, California. The city is culturally diverse with approximately 260,000 residents. Irvine was ranked among the Best Places to Live in America in Money Magazine’s 2016 list for cities with 50,000-300,000 population.

Incorporated in 1971, Irvine has flourished and is recognized as one of the safest cities in the country. It has a great school system with highly ranked schools and is home to several higher education institutions including the University of California, Irvine (UCI), Concordia University, and Irvine Valley College. Irvine provides a high quality of life for its residents through environmental stewardship, state-of-the-art transportation programs and systems, and master-planned community features that raise the living standards. Irvine features more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports ﬁelds and dedicated open space, and is home to the Orange County Great Park. The city’s mission is to create and maintain a community where people can live, work, and play in an environment that is safe, vibrant, and aesthetically pleasing.

Irvine is also a growing business hub with a number of corporations headquartered in the city, particularly in the technology, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor sectors.

City demographics

City attractions and highlights

Irvine boasts 16,000 acres of preserved natural habit and many other attractions

Parks & Outdoors

Business & Entertainment

Museum/Art/History

There is an abundance of community centers, special facilities, and community parks and fields

Walk Score Index

School Information

Kindergarten through 12 Grade

The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) consistently ranks among the finest educational systems in the nation educating a diverse student population numbering over 30,000 (K-12) in 25 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 5 comprehensive high schools, and 1 continuation high school. IUSD has nationally recognized schools and Irvine students lead Orange County in SAT test scores, with more than 90% of IUSD high school graduates attending college.

IUSD is supported by its nonprofit partner, Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF), which provides financial support and enrichment programs for all students. Click here to learn more.

The Tustin Unified School District (TUSD) serves residents who live in the western and northern areas of Irvine. The District has 17 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 2 comprehensive high schools, a continuation high school, and alternative and adult education programs.

In the past decade, nine schools in TUSD have been recognized as either state or nationally distinguished schools. Two elementary schools are National Exemplary Schools, and a middle school and a high school are National Blue Ribbon Schools. Five other schools, an elementary, two middle and two high schools, are California Distinguished Schools. Nearly 90 percent of all district graduates attend colleges and universities.

Universities/Colleges

The University of California at Irvine is consistently ranked among the nation’s best universities. In the U.S. News & World Report 2015 annual college survey, UCI is ranked 39th among all universities nationally and ranks 9th among all public universities.

Graduate and postgraduate studies are further complemented in Irvine by programs at Irvine Valley College, Concordia University, and Brandman University. Irvine is also home to satellite campuses that include California State University, Fullerton, University of La Verne, Pepperdine University, University of Southern California, and Western State College of Law.