Buena Park, Signs of Quiet Growth - Buena Park - 1

When reviewing properties in Buena Park, there are aspects that cannot be explained by demographics alone. While the population has gradually decreased over the past few years, the median household income and housing demand have remained stable. This city requires looking at multiple indicators rather than judging the market based on a single statistic.

The current population of Buena Park is in the low 80,000s, which is about a 3% decrease compared to the 2020 census. Due to its characteristics as a region with a concentration of small commercial areas alongside nearby La Mirada and Cerritos, the stable maintenance of existing commercial areas seems to be a more important variable than large new developments. The annual decline rate is around 0.5%, which is not significant, but like other cities in Orange County, the lack of housing supply and high cost of living are cited as reasons for population outflow. In particular, there are some cases of older households moving to other states to reduce living expenses after their children have become independent. Conversely, the influx of workers related to the tourism industry appears to be steadily continuing.

Nevertheless, the median household income remains above $110,000, indicating that the income level of the households that remain is actually stable compared to those that are leaving. This suggests the possibility that low-income households are leaving while middle-class and higher households are staying. The local unemployment rate is also reported to be stable and not significantly deviating from the average in Orange County.

In terms of industrial base, the entertainment corridor centered around Knott's Berry Farm remains a key employment hub. Even after the acquisition of Six Flags, it consistently maintains over 4 million annual visitors, and the surrounding hotel and retail industries are also reported to be sustaining stable employment based on tourism demand. Additionally, small logistics and warehouse facilities, as well as automotive-related industries, contribute to local employment, and retail employment at nearby large outlet stores is also steady.

From an infrastructure perspective, discussions are ongoing regarding the improvement projects for the 91 and 5 freeways throughout Orange County, as well as the redevelopment of the Beach Boulevard commercial district. Investments are being made at a level of remodeling existing commercial areas rather than large-scale projects, which aligns with the city's character of seeking gradual improvements rather than rapid changes. Plans for new hotel developments within the entertainment corridor are also occasionally discussed.

Views assessing long-term growth potential often classify Buena Park as a stable city rather than a high-growth one. Given the variable of population decline, a cautious approach is necessary, but as long as the tourism-based industry remains stable, the likelihood of a sharp decline in property values is considered low.

For Korean households, Buena Park remains a desirable area due to its good accessibility to neighboring school districts like Fullerton and La Palma, indicating ongoing residential demand. It does not seem necessary to view the market pessimistically based solely on the statistics showing a population decline; rather, in a situation where supply is limited, the asset value of existing homes may move relatively defensively. If the goal is rental income, it may also be worth considering the short-term rental demand near the tourism corridor. Despite competition with nearby Fullerton and La Habra, the fact that it has secured a stable base of repeat visitors centered around Knott's Berry Farm can be evaluated as a differentiated competitive advantage compared to other small cities.

In summary, while Buena Park is not a city expected to experience explosive growth, the support of the tourism-based industry and stable income levels suggest that property values are likely to remain relatively robust even amidst a gently declining population curve. If the trend of remodeling small commercial areas seen in recent years continues, it may remain a stable market in terms of rental yields even during a phase of population decline.