Get to know Laguna Niguel, CA

The affluent city of Laguna Niguel is a suburb in Orange County.  The land was originally part of the Mission San Juan Capistrano before being divided into private land grants by the Mexican government in 1821.  It then became Rancho Niguel under Juan Avila until bankruptcy forced him to sell the land in 1865.  Lewis Moulton and Jean Pierre Daguerre bought the ranch and surrounding land in 1895.  In 1951 the Moulton and Daguerre families divided the land, with the Daguerre family inheriting what would later become Laguna Niguel.  The family sold the land in 1959 to Cabot, Cabot & Forbes and Paine Webber, who partnered to form the Laguna Niguel Corporation.  The Corporation purchased the land with the intent of developing one of California’s first master planned communities.  The plan included more than just homes, but social and cultural facilities in addition to parks and open space.  Laguna Niguel was incorporated as a city in 1989.  Today, the city serves mainly as a bedroom community for larger job cities in northern and central Orange County.  Most jobs in Laguna Niguel are in the service sector.  The main employers are Costco and Wal-Mart.  The city is now for its many parks, including Laguna Niguel Regional Park.

Quick Facts

Population: 64,825

Median Household Income: $95,536

Median Property Value: $685,700