Irvine is a planned city located in the southern part of Orange County, California.

It was officially incorporated as a city in 1971, covering an area of about 66 square miles (approximately 171 km²), making it one of the largest cities in Orange County. According to the 2020 census, the population was 307,670, and it is currently estimated to have surpassed 310,000. Irvine is not just a residential city; it is a college town that houses UC Irvine (UCI), a business hub with thousands of companies, and a consumer center featuring the Irvine Spectrum Center, the largest shopping and entertainment destination in Orange County.

The most notable feature of Irvine is that it is a 'planned city.' The entire city is composed of master-planned communities designed by the Irvine Company over several decades. It is divided into more than 50 village communities, including Woodbridge, Northwood, Turtle Rock, Portola Springs, Great Park Neighborhoods, Lakeside, and Orange Tree, each systematically arranged with parks, swimming pools, schools, and community facilities. As a result, Irvine has ranked as the 'safest large city in America' for several years based on FBI crime statistics.

In terms of demographics, one of the most significant characteristics of Irvine is that about 45% of its residents are of Asian descent. It is a city where various Asian immigrant families, including Chinese, Korean, and Indian, have settled for their children's education, with the Korean population being one of the most densely concentrated in Orange County. The white population is about 37%, Hispanic about 10%, and Black about 2%. The median household income exceeds $120,000, significantly higher than the California average, and it is a city with a high percentage of educated professionals.

The educational environment is one of Irvine's biggest attractions. The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) is one of the best public school districts in California, consistently ranking high in statewide academic achievement assessments. There are several top public high schools, including University High School, Northwood High School, and Portola High School, and UC Irvine (UCI) is a globally renowned research university that serves as a pathway for college admissions for Irvine residents' children.

Economically, Irvine is the largest business hub in Orange County. The headquarters or major offices of global companies such as Broadcom, Edwards Lifesciences, Blizzard Entertainment, and Allergan (after its acquisition by AbbVie) are located in Irvine. The Irvine Business Complex and Mariner's Village area are densely populated with office buildings, particularly attracting professionals in tech and healthcare fields. Irvine's unemployment rate is significantly lower than the California average, and the city itself has a stable tax base.

In terms of living infrastructure, Irvine is also highly regarded. The Irvine Spectrum Center is a massive shopping mall that combines a movie theater, restaurants, and large retail stores, and South Coast Plaza (in Costa Mesa) is just a 15-minute drive away. Great Park is an urban park of over 1,300 acres, redeveloped from the former El Toro Marine Base, featuring basketball courts, grassy fields, a farm garden, an ice rink, and event spaces. Residents often describe Irvine not as a 'city chosen to live in' but as a 'city where people want to stay.'