An Equity Profile of Orange County 2025

This interactive report was developed by the USC Equity Research Institute, in partnership with Orange County Grantmakers, via ArcGIS StoryMaps.

Orange County’s economy is stronger than the nation as a whole; however, economic and racial/ethnic disparities threaten future growth and prosperity. The Orange County Equity Profile 2025 is a refresh of Orange County Grantmakers’ 2019 Equity Profile. It highlights demographic trends and indicators of equitable growth for measuring progress in closing gaps in outcomes by race/ethnicity, nativity, and other characteristics.

USC Equity Research Institute is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Orange County Grantmakers on this report as it continues to collaborate with foundations, community organizations, business leaders, government agencies, advocacy groups, tribal communities, and others towards a more inclusive, fair, and just Orange County.

We thank the Advisory Council, interviewees, and following sponsors: First 5 Orange County, Orange County Community Foundation, St. Joseph Fund, The California Endowment, and the Wells Fargo Foundation.

Orange County Grantmakers (OCG) has taken bold leadership in fostering cross-sector dialogue and collaboration and in building a culture in which social, economic, and racial equity is discussed–and not as an after-thought but as a central focus. The 2025 Orange County Equity Profile highlights the county’s demographic diversity and provides a core set of equity indicators for measuring differences by race/ethnicity, nativity, and other characteristics. It is organized in the following sections:

• A Diverse Population,
• Housing Affordability,
• Economic Resiliency,
• Health and Belonging, and
• Economic Benefits of Equity

Orange County Grantmakers (OCG) is a community of philanthropists committed to improving outcomes for Orange County and beyond. OCG’s mission is to advance social impact by supporting, strengthening, and building adaptive leadership across our non-profit and philanthropic sector. Formerly known as the OC Funders Roundtable, OCG provides opportunities for learning and connecting for the funder and non-profit community.

Note: Orange County Equity Profile 2025 is an update of our An Equity Profile of Orange County (2019) report in partnership with PolicyLink, which examined demographic trends and indicators of equitable growth, highlighting strengths and areas of vulnerability in relation to the goal of building a strong, resilient economy.