Skip to Content

City of Stanton

0 Comments

The city of Stanton is one of the smallest cities in Orange County. Stanton’s city motto is “Community Pride & Forward Vision.” The city has an active population with regular community events including Spring Fairs, car shows, summer kickoffs, and Christmas Tree Lighting Celebrations. The city of Stanton profile includes city history and information for residential services, shopping, dining, and points of interest throughout the city.

City of Stanton, California
About Stanton
HistoryThings to Do
City StatisticsInformation & ServicesSchools & Libraries

About Stanton

City Of Stanton

The City of Stanton is located in Northwest Orange County, California and comes in as one of the smallest cities in the county at 3.1 square miles. Stanton is bordered by Anaheim, Cypress, Garden Grove, and Westminster. The city is predominantly residential with a population of just under 40,000.

The city of Stanton features a small family amusement park, Adventure City. This is the city’s biggest attraction and draws many annual visitors. Adventure City is perfect for families with kids ages 2 to 10, and features rides such as Rewind Racers, Barnstormer Planes, and the Giggle Wheel. There is also a petting zoo, arcade, and Thomas the Train area. Stanton is also just a short drive away from major colleges, beaches, and family attractions like Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, and Surf City USA (a.k.a. Huntington Beach).

Stanton Central Park is the gem of the city and the community helped design many elements here. The 11-acre park is open daily and includes plenty of open space for playing and gathering, a skate park, an interactive water play area, two playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, butterfly garden, exercise loop trail, sports fields, reservable picnic shelters and community building, a bandstand and plaza, and more. Harry M. Dotson Park is another fun and unique park in the city of Stanton. The wheelchair accessible pirate ship play structure is a local favorite, and the splash pad is open during the warmer months for fun water play.

Residents of Stanton may find work within the city, but most residents commute outside of city boundaries. Some commute to nearby surrounding cities like Anaheim and Santa Ana. Others commute farther away to destinations like Los Angeles and Irvine. Nearly half of Stanton commuters drive more than 30 minutes to work. The largest employers within the city are Rowntree Gardens, Home Depot, and All Metals Processing.

Village Center was the primary shopping development in the city, located along the main thoroughfare, Beach Boulevard at the 22 Freeway. However, the Recession forced businesses to shutter and even popular restaurants like Mimi’s Café and Acapulco eventually closed their doors. The shopping center became a ghost town and an eye sore. In 2018, the city finally approved plans to demolish the existing buildings to make way for a new era of retail and residential developments. Current plans include 208 condominiums, Chase Bank, Grocery Outlet, Panda Express, In-N-Out Burger, Raising Cane’s, Rodeo 39 Public Market, and Planet Fitness, most of which are now open.

Stanton History

The city of Stanton was originally part of the Mexican land grants that included Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Coyotes. The rancho lands were sold to Don Able Stearns in 1842 for $6,000. Stearns was one of the first American immigrants to the area and he became one of the major landowners in Orange County.

The Pacific Electric Railway began operating in the area in 1906 with a main line into Los Angeles. The railway was so successful that within four years, two cars were running both ways.

Originally called Benedict, the city officially known as Stanton incorporated in 1911. At the time of incorporation, Stanton was the largest city in Orange County. The city disincorporated in 1924 to allow the State to construct roads, and did not incorporate again until 1956. Today, Stanton is one of the smallest cities in the county. The city’s initial population boom happened in the post-war 1950s along with other Orange County communities. Since the year 2000 the population has ranged from 37,000 – 39,000 people.

Stanton Statistics

Size: 3.1 Square Miles
Population: 38,377 (2019)

Things to Do in Stanton

Arts & Culture:

Stanton Community:

Entertainment:

Information & Services

Residential Services:

Safety:

Transportation: 

Schools & Libraries

Schools:

Libraries:

Family Attractions in Orange CountyMuseums In Orange County
Best Downtowns in Orange CountyFarmers Markets in Orange County
Best Regional Parks in Orange CountyShopping Centers in Orange County
Heidi Deal
Heidi Deal is the author of the Newcomers Handbook to Living In Los Angeles & Orange County, and a children’s book author specializing in history and human rights. When she's not writing you can find her solo hiking and going on new adventures with her kids and pup.