The contrast between two places and social inequality- Northwood, Irvine, Southern California

Location

Northern California

Approximate population of Northwood

4,900

Average household income

113,000$

Main housing type

Owner-occupied detached homes

Environmental quality

High (green, planned)

Violent crime rate

75/100000 people - Irvine

359/100000 people - USA

Main employment sectors

• High tech, education, healthcare.

• Several TNC’s have the USA HQ’s in Irvine for example Kia motors, Mazda corporations

• Pharmaceutical and aerospace firms are key employers

Why is healthcare high

Private insurance and high accessibility to healthcare

3 major hospital facilities, one opening in December 2025 in Irvine

Proportion with universities degrees

68% +

Major ethnic group (=50%)

White

Education outcomes strong because…

Well funded schools + educated parents, parentocracy.

Type of community

Gated, well - planned suburb

Social inequality level

Very limited

Challenges

High living and property costs, extreme stresses from work, not spending time with family.

Most common age group

Working age families

1/3 of homes are families with children of school age

waste management

Regular collection and recycling

What does northwoods affluence show?

Inequality even in wealthy cities

Visual signs of prosperity

Clean, green, modern housing

Future outlook

Continued prosperity and sustainability

Community support for education

Taxes fund public schools

Main geographical theme

Social inequality and quality of life

Housing conditions

• Generally good

• The two single-family homes primarily built between the 1970s and the 2000s

• Area is considered cleaning safe with a high standard of living

• Individual family homes and large area areas of land 2.8 people per house on average

• Lined with trees

• 2/3 lived in Northwood for over 10 years

• 91% of households own homes

Environmental quality

• Lots of green areas - Northwood community park, Meadowood Park

• Close to a National Park limestone Canyon Park and Orange County Great Park

• Very little pollution and smoke as it is the edge of the city

• Low pollution because it’s on the green belt in LA

Education

• 69% of residence 25+ have degrees

• 21% possessing masters or doctorates

• Schools are regularly assessed as being among the best achieving in the USA

• Five high schools and several tertiary education facilities

Age/gender/ethnicity profiles

• ½ residents are white, 2nd most are Asian following the Vietnam war

• 1/3 of households are families with children

• Chrome levels are 70% lower than the national average