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Placentia

Placentia

Placentia is a city in northern Orange County, California. The population was 51,813 as of 2019, up from 46,488 in the 2000 census. This includes the community of Atwood, which is included in the city of Placentia, and is located in its southeastern quadrant. Primarily referred to as a bedroom community, Placentia is known for its quiet neighborhoods.

In 1971, Placentia was honored with the prestigious “All America City” Award, given out annually by the National Civic League to ten cities in the United States.

In 1837, the Mexican government granted the area that is now Placentia to Juan Pacifico Ontiveros as part of the Rancho San Juan Cajón de Santa Ana land grant. In 1865, American pioneer Daniel Kraemer arrived and purchased 3,900 acres (1,600 ha) Many other American pioneers soon followed and the community developed. The local school district was originally named the Cajon School District. In 1878, the school district’s name was changed to Placentia School District, Placentia being derived from a Latin word meaning “pleasant place to live.” The town eventually took its own name after the school district. In July of 2020, Placentia Organized and established their own Fire Department, Placentia Fire & Life Safety Department, Leaving The Orange County Fire Authority, The first city to ever disband from the OCFA.

Placentia is located in North Orange County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17 km2). 6.6 square miles (17 km2) of it is land and 0.22% is water. State Route 57 (the Orange Freeway) runs through the southwest section of Placentia. State Route 91 (the Riverside Freeway) passes directly south of the city. Districts in Placentia include the neighborhood of La Jolla and the formerly unincorporated community of Atwood.


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