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COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS <br />Incorporated in 1886, the City of Santa Ana has a <br />rich historical and cultural heritage. The City of <br />Santa Ana is the county seat, and boasts an eclectic <br />urban environment, burgeoning employment <br />centers, transit hub, and historic neighborhoods and <br />downtown. With a current population exceeding <br />300,000 residents, the City ranks among the largest <br />and most densely populated in California, and <br />is one of the youngest by age in the County. As <br />the seat for Orange County, the Civic Center area <br />contains federal, state, and local governmental <br />facilities including courts, criminal justice facilities, <br />administrative offices, and service centers. Santa <br />Ana also hosts numerous cultural institutions <br />including Bowers Museum, Discovery Cube, and <br />Santa Ana Zoo. <br />While Santa Ana is a densely populated urban <br />center with one of the most diverse international <br />populations in Orange County, it can generally be <br />characterized as a city of neighborhoods. Santa Ana <br />has over 60 neighborhoods which are distinguished <br />by their history, architecture, housing types, <br />amenities, and unique character. <br />Its central location in Orange County, proximity to <br />transportation hubs (e.g., John Wayne Airport and <br />major freeways, a major railroad line, and the Santa <br />Ana Regional Transportation Center) make Santa <br />Ana an ideal place for locating a business and an <br />important economic driver in the region. Santa Ana <br />is home to businesses that range from small, family <br />owned, one to two person operations to Fortune <br />500 corporate operations, that grows employment <br />and economic opportunities for residents and the <br />broader Orange County region. <br />Santa Ana seeks to continue to be a dynamic urban <br />center, acclaimed for its investment in it youth, <br />neighborhood pride, enriching cultural experiences, <br />appreciation of diversity, thriving economic climate, <br />quality governmental services, and leadership <br />among California cities. This Santa Ana General Plan <br />provides a strong foundation to further qualities, and <br />affirm the City as a vibrant, healthy, and sustainable <br />urban center into the future. <br />1a .1... CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN <br />