Overview

Introduction to Brea, California

Brea, California, in Orange county, is 2 miles E of La Habra, California (center to center) and 6 miles N of Anaheim, California. The city is a prominent retail destination due to the popular Brea Mall and the redeveloped downtown. It has a large public arts program which features a vast number of artworks situated all over the city. The majority of the population is Hispanic. In 2007 Brea Olinda High School received the Blue Ribbon Award.

Brea History

The Village of Olinda was established in the beginning of the 19th century and numerous entrepreneurs arrived looking for oil. The Union Oil company acquired a large acreage for oil production. By 1898 a large number of oil drilling towers were situated in the hills. In 1911 while the economy was booming, Olinda and Randolf merged and became Brea.

Brea translates to tar in Spanish. Years later when the oil prodcution declined, lemon and orange groves were established. Over time, the citrus groves were converted to residential areas and industrial parks.

Brea Attractions

  • Brea Art Gallery showcases museum quality exhibits.
  • Concerts in the Park offers a variety of music.
  • Brea Civic & Cultural Center.
  • Family Films in the Park.
  • The Curtis Theatre provides a variety of entertainment.
  • Brea Community Center.
  • Country Fair.
  • Brea Museum and Heritage Center.
  • Brea Jazz Festival Concert Series is a four week event that offers some of Southern California's top jazz musicians.
  • Brea Trolley.
  • Brea Fest is a popular family event.

Brea Activities

The Brea Creek Golf Course is a popular golf course located in the city. Carbon Canyon Regional Park features attractive coastal redwood trees and hiking and equestrian trails. The popular Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm are nearby. Featherly Regional, Weir Canyon Wilderness, Thomas F. Riley Wilderness, Mason Regional and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness parks are all located in the region and are enjoyed by nature lovers. The Cleveland National Forest is popular for a variety of outdoor activities.

Brea Higher Education

The city is home to the Southern California College of Business and Law.

Demographics

People

Total Population42,330
Male Share of the Population48.2%
Female Share of the Population51.8%
Senior Citizens14%
Employed Population 16+21,313
Age of the Population38

Families

% of people married53.5%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher43.2%
Median Earnings25+$55,690
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$27,446
Median Earnings With High School Degree$39,779

Wealth

Median Family Income$109,858
% Above Poverty Level93.5%
% Below Poverty Level6.5%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time34 minutes
% Working from Home6.6%
% Walking and Biking to Work2.5%
% Using Public Transportation1.5%

Housing

People Living Alone21.4%
Median Gross Rent$1,794
Median House Value$635,400

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)52.1%
German12%
Irish9.5%
English7.6%
Italian5.1%
French Except Basque3.3%
Dutch1.6%
Polish1.5%
Scottish1.5%
Arab1.1%
Russian1.1%
Swedish0.9%
Norwegian0.8%
Hungarian0.8%
Welsh0.6%
Danishn0.6%
Lebanese0.5%
Canadian0.4%
Ukrainian0.3%
Portuguese0.3%
Austrian0.3%
African0.2%
Swiss0.2%
Romanian0.2%
Greek0.2%
Syrian0.2%
Czech0.2%
Croatian0.2%
Iranian0.2%
Egyptian0.1%
US/American0.1%
West Indian0.1%
Turkish0.1%
Jamaican0.1%
Basque0.1%
Finnish0.1%
Serbian0.1%
Slovak0.1%
Lithuanian0.1%
Iraqi0.1%
+ Show More

Brea Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyOrange County
Standard Zip Codes92821, 92823
P.O. Box Zip Codes92822
Phone Area Codes714
Time ZoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
Approximate Latitude33.91
Approximate Longitude-117.89

Brea Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationANAHEIM
Distance5.1 miles
Jan Temp45 to 69 F
Apr Temp51 to 73 F
Jul Temp62 to 84 F
Oct Temp56 to 80 F
Annual Precip11.2 inches
StationLONG BEACH AP
Distance16.3 miles
Jan Temp46 to 68 F
Apr Temp53 to 73 F
Jul Temp65 to 83 F
Oct Temp58 to 79 F
Annual Precip12.9 inches
StationSAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT
Distance16.6 miles
Jan Temp43 to 70 F
Apr Temp50 to 77 F
Jul Temp62 to 89 F
Oct Temp55 to 83 F
Annual Precip18.5 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Fullerton139,866$86,877
Hacienda Heights54,970$89,235
La Habra61,910$79,805
La Habra Heights5,383$128,156
Placentia52,049$100,265
Yorba Linda67,815$144,714

Brea Hospitals

Kindred Hospital Brea
(Proprietary)
875 North Brea Boulevard

Brea Public Schools

Arovista Elementary
900 Eadington Dr.
ZIP: 92821
Primary
Total Enrollment 549
Brea Canyon High (continuation)
689 N. Wildcat Way
ZIP: 92821
High
Total Enrollment 79
Brea Country Hills Elementary
150 N. Associated Rd.
ZIP: 92821
Primary
Total Enrollment 642
Brea Junior High
400 N. Brea Blvd.
ZIP: 92821
Middle
Total Enrollment 891
Brea-olinda High
789 N. Wildcat Way
ZIP: 92821
High
Total Enrollment 1895
Laurel Elementary
200 S. Flower Ave.
ZIP: 92821
Primary
Total Enrollment 312
Mariposa Elementary
1111 W. Mariposa Dr.
ZIP: 92821
Primary
Total Enrollment 559
Olinda Elementary
3145 E. Birch St.
ZIP: 92821
Primary
Total Enrollment 563
William E. Fanning Elementary
650 N. Apricot
ZIP: 92821
Primary
Total Enrollment 465

Brea Private Schools

Christ Lutheran School
820 W Imperial Hwy
ZIP: 92821
Elementary
Total Enrollment 124
Montessori Of Brea
701 Mulberry Ave Fir 400
ZIP: 92821
Elementary
Total Enrollment 28
St Angela Merici Parish School
575 S Walnut Ave
ZIP: 92821
Elementary
Total Enrollment 283
Sources :
Our Partner Listings
Additional Resources
Info for Brea Government Officials


Are you an official in the Brea government or quasi-government agency such as the chamber of commerce, visitors bureau or economic development council? If so, visit our information page for government officials to see how CityTownInfo can support you.