Orange County cities each run on a different economic engine. Anaheim leans on tourism and manufacturing. Irvine leans on tech and biotech. Santa Ana leans on government and public administration. If you’re doing business here, knowing what actually drives each city’s economy makes it a lot easier to find the right partners, clients, and connections.
We put together in-depth profiles of the primary industries and key companies in nine Orange County cities, drawing on data referenced by the Orange County Business Council. Below is a quick look at each one, with a link to the full breakdown.
Orange County Cities: Anaheim
Tourism and hospitality anchor Anaheim’s economy, thanks in large part to Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center. Manufacturing, sports and entertainment, retail, healthcare, and food and beverage all add real depth on top of that. Read the full Anaheim industry guide.
Orange County Cities: Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa mixes retail (South Coast Plaza is a major draw) with arts and culture, hospitality, and a growing tech and healthcare presence. Small businesses fill out the rest of the local economy. Read the full Costa Mesa industry guide.
Fullerton
Education drives a lot of what happens in Fullerton, with Cal State Fullerton and several community colleges anchoring the city. Healthcare, manufacturing, and a growing edtech niche round things out. Read the full Fullerton industry guide.
Garden Grove
Manufacturing is the backbone in Garden Grove, backed by healthcare, tourism and hospitality, and retail. Education and a strong small business and entrepreneurship scene round out the picture. Read the full Garden Grove industry guide.
Huntington Beach
Surf City lives up to its name with tourism and recreation. Oil and energy, a legacy industry, still matters, and retail, healthcare and wellness, and a growing tech and aerospace presence round things out. Read the full Huntington Beach industry guide.
Orange County Cities: Irvine
Tech and biotech lead the way in Irvine, backed by a deep talent pipeline from UC Irvine. Business and financial services, real estate, and advanced manufacturing round out a diversified, fast-growing economy. Read the full Irvine industry guide.
Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo built its reputation as a master-planned community, and that same sense of order carries into its economy. Healthcare anchors things, with Mission Hospital nearby, and retail, education, and a steady small business scene round out the picture. Read the full Mission Viejo industry guide.
Orange
Orange blends historic charm with a modern economy. Chapman University drives education and research, while healthcare, retail, and a strong antiques and small business scene around Old Towne round things out. Read the full Orange industry guide.
Orange County Cities: Santa Ana
As the Orange County seat, Santa Ana’s economy centers on government and public administration. Legal services, healthcare, and manufacturing add real weight, and a growing arts and food scene brings fresh energy downtown. Read the full Santa Ana industry guide.
However you slice it, Orange County’s economy runs on relationships as much as industry. If you want to meet the people building these businesses, OCEAN brings together executives and networkers from every corner of the county. Check out our upcoming events and come see for yourself.
