Dana Point is a city located in southern Orange County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 35,110. As one of the few harbors along the Orange County coast, and with ready access via California State Route 1, it is a popular local destination.

The city was named after the headland of Dana Point, which was in turn named for Richard Henry Dana, Jr., author of Two Years Before the Mast, which included a description of the area. Although Dana describes the anchorage as poor, it is the best available in the vicinity, and there is a developed harbor.

Nicole Brown Simpson was a native of Dana Point.

One of the very few known specimens of the megamouth shark was caught off Dana Point in 1990.

Geography

Dana Point is located at 33°28'20" North, 117°41'35" West (33.472210, -117.693038)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 76.2 km² (29.4 mi²). 17.2 km² (6.6 mi²) of it is land and 59.1 km² (22.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 77.45% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 35,110 people, 14,456 households, and 9,280 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,041.6/km² (5,290.1/mi²). There are 15,682 housing units at an average density of 911.9/km² (2,362.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 87.25% White, 0.82% Black or African American, 0.57% Native American, 2.52% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 5.92% from other races, and 2.81% from two or more races. 15.49% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 14,456 households out of which 26.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% are married couples living together, 8.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% are non-families. 26.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.41 and the average family size is 2.90.

In the city the population is spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $63,043, and the median income for a family is $73,373. Males have a median income of $52,159 versus $38,902 for females. The per capita income for the city is $37,938. 6.7% of the population and 3.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 6.8% of those under the age of 18 and 5.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External link

• City of Dana Point website (http://www.danapoint.org/)

External links

• Maps and aerial photos
  • Street map from Mapquest (http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=decimal&latitude=33.47221&longitude=-117.693038&zoom=6)
  • Topographic map from Topozone (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=33.47221&lon=-117.693038&s=200&size=m&layer=DRG100)
  • Aerial photograph from Microsoft Terraserver (http://terraserver.microsoft.com/map.aspx?t=1&s=14&lon=-117.693038&lat=33.47221&w=750&h=500)