When talking to families considering a move to Fullerton, the first question that often arises is whether the declining population means that home prices will also drop. However, a closer look at the actual statistics reveals a different picture.

The current population of Fullerton is around 138,000, which shows a decrease of about 3.5% compared to the 2020 census. It appears that households prioritizing educational infrastructure continue to prefer the living area formed with nearby Brea and La Habra. The annual decline rate is around 0.6%, which is not significant, but it seems to align with the trend of housing price burdens in Orange County leading to the outflow of young people and newlywed households. The proportion of young people who leave the city for college and do not return is also cited as a reason for the population decline.

However, the median household income remains above $104,000, indicating that the income base is still relatively strong. This suggests that the population decline may be primarily affecting lower-income groups, and the purchasing power of the remaining households can be interpreted as being maintained. The unemployment rate is also reported to be stable, without significant differences from the average in Orange County.

In terms of industrial base, the education and research cluster centered around Cal State Fullerton and Fullerton College plays a crucial role in local employment. Overall, the leisure and hospitality sector in Orange County is expected to grow the fastest at around 3% annually, and it seems that the downtown Fullerton business district is benefiting from this trend to some extent. Due to the nature of college towns, small businesses such as cafes and restaurants continue to emerge, and healthcare employment centered around local hospitals and clinics is also gradually increasing.

By 2026, the overall unemployment rate in Orange County is projected to be around 4.4%, with job growth expected to be about 6,000 jobs, or 0.35%. While this can be described as modest growth, there are also concerns that the lack of housing supply is acting as a structural factor limiting the influx of labor.

In terms of infrastructure, discussions are ongoing regarding improvements to the Fullerton Transportation Center and the redevelopment of the downtown Fullerton commercial district. Given the characteristics of a college town, the supply of small residential facilities aimed at students and young people is gradually increasing, which could inject new vitality into the rental market near the university.

Looking at long-term growth potential, many believe that qualitative growth leveraging educational and research foundations is more important than simply expanding the population size. As long as the unique talent attraction of a college town is maintained, the likelihood of a sharp economic downturn is considered low.

For Korean households, Fullerton is a region that offers both good school districts and university infrastructure, leading to consistent demand from families prioritizing their children's education. Rather than worrying about the statistics of population decline, it would be beneficial to view the market as one supported by a solid income base and educational infrastructure. Investors looking for rental income near the university should also consider student rental demand. The tendency for many Cal State Fullerton graduates to settle within Orange County can also be seen as a factor contributing to the long-term maintenance of the local talent pool.

Looking ten years ahead, Fullerton seems likely to continue stable qualitative growth by leveraging its income and educational foundations rather than simply expanding its population size. Compared to other cities in Orange County, having a clear differentiating factor in educational infrastructure is expected to aid in the long-term defense of asset value. It is more realistic to understand the market as one that emphasizes consistency rather than expecting a rapid rebound.